Fixing Loose Guitar Volume & Tone Knobs

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  • Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
  • Are the volume and tone knobs on your electric guitar loose, rattling, "bouncing back"? Here's how to fix it - it's EXTREMELY EASY!

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  • @ahauntedlighthouse7305
    @ahauntedlighthouse7305 3 роки тому +15

    Wow, I was prepared to bring my Ibanez bass to the shop, but instead I found this video, followed along, and fixed two loose dome knobs in 5 minutes. Thank you! 🎶

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  3 роки тому +2

      That's so great! I'm glad I could help!

  • @TheMetalWarrior1993
    @TheMetalWarrior1993 10 років тому +12

    Thank you so much for posting this video, on my Ibanez RG120 my knobs actually don't have a hole to put the hex keys in, but after I saw you tightening the nut under the pots I tried it and it worked perfectly! I never attempted fixing this problem before so I really wasn't sure how to go about with it, thanks again man!

  • @TiberiusRoll7
    @TiberiusRoll7 2 роки тому +11

    Great video!! Really helpful for beginners, you usually start playing used guitars that need a bit of maintenance and this is a great video to start working on your guitar! Thanks!

  • @mikeKidLazy
    @mikeKidLazy 4 роки тому +4

    All I was looking for was how to remove metal knobs which have screws like the ones on your guitar, but I actually found out some more useful information by watching it all the way through. Thanks a lot for sharing this video with us.

  • @Jnicoletto
    @Jnicoletto 8 років тому +14

    Thank you!!!! I thought this would be extremely hard but I had it repaired, thanks to your video, in minutes!!! Easy to follow! Thanks!

  • @Bapsie
    @Bapsie 2 роки тому +7

    You, Sir, just saved my life. Thank you so much for the straight-forward video. Quick and simple explanations. It was of much help! Cheers!

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому +10

    If it's a Fender-style plastic knob, you need to wedge something (carefully) under both sides of the knob and pull up. I recommend using either a polishing cloth (wrapping it around the base under the knob) or just using two 1mm guitar picks, one on each side, and prying the knob up. Be ESPECIALLY careful if you don't have a pickguard, so you don't scratch the finish.

  • @jeremiahwalker1240
    @jeremiahwalker1240 8 років тому +132

    Any knobs w/o a keyhole should come off with one good pull. Hope that helps guys.

    • @pauljameson9724
      @pauljameson9724 6 років тому +5

      Jeremiah Walker really ? That would be cool as fuck if that's all I gotta do. Mine have no screws in them.

    • @MrAzureJames
      @MrAzureJames 6 років тому +5

      You can try to put a cloth under knob and pry it off with a screwdriver or something if that doesnt work but might s rach the finish. For me that wasn't a big deal

    • @bitroix_
      @bitroix_ 5 років тому +2

      Thank you! saved me a visit to the shop

    • @apricotprincess7722
      @apricotprincess7722 5 років тому +4

      THANK YOUU JUST FIXED MINE

    • @inexternalrecords
      @inexternalrecords 5 років тому +1

      @@MrAzureJames My bass guitar is back in business! I can't believe I didn't think to use a cloth, that was what kept me from prying the knob off.

  • @stanleyupshaw3320
    @stanleyupshaw3320 3 роки тому +2

    I just used this video to fix the tone knob on my P-Bass. I was worried I would damage the wiring by “twisting it around.” But it was no problem. Thanks for the great vid!

    • @chrisrios1709
      @chrisrios1709 2 роки тому +1

      I'm in this boat with a new P Bass. Do I actually need a special tool to take out the locking screw? It looks like just a regular albeit small screw.

  • @obiwanjacobi
    @obiwanjacobi 11 років тому +23

    You should always keep the back of the pots in your other hand to prevent turning the wires etc...!

  • @alanherrera4179
    @alanherrera4179 3 роки тому +2

    Hey! Thank For the Tutorial. I got scared because my Volume Knob came off but this Video help me fix in less then Five Minutes. Thanks God Bless

  • @anthonyb-df3ph
    @anthonyb-df3ph Рік тому +1

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I did it and my knobs are firm!

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      You're welcome! I'm glad it helped!

  • @MS-tz1ml
    @MS-tz1ml 3 роки тому +3

    I was stressed out because I have a gig, and this made me feel much better. thank you!

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  3 роки тому +1

      I’m so glad this was helpful! Have a great gig!

  • @goshtamoshta
    @goshtamoshta 3 роки тому +7

    Fixed my guitar! Thank you!!!

  • @rollsboy
    @rollsboy Рік тому +1

    Thanks! This was really helpful - exactly what I needed! You saved me a trip to the shop. Appreciate it!

  • @somarriba333
    @somarriba333 Рік тому +1

    Damn, man. I'm finding all kinds of little helpful hints on your channel exactly when I need them. My 7 string LTD has the same issue. 🤘

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      Hell yeah, that's great! I'm glad it's helping!

  • @RoCKnTr0LLLL
    @RoCKnTr0LLLL 10 років тому +13

    That was easy. thanx bro thought I was gonna have to go to a shop

  • @guestguide2544
    @guestguide2544 10 місяців тому +1

    You can put masking tape strips by knobs on the guitar so top is not scratched. Also a thin cardboard underneath knob holding it up as a spacer when reinstalling. You should hold the pot in place either by having knob turned to end 0 point and holding the shaft, When tightening nut, If pot is able to turn while tightening could damage wiring. The cover on the back can be removed showing pots to observe what's going on with pot as its tightened.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  10 місяців тому +1

      Excellent ideas all around, thank you so much for contributing this!

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому +1

    Yes this should work on all volume and tone knobs of this type.
    (That is, at least as long as you mean your volume IS actually going up and down when you turn it with the metal knob taken off.
    I say that only because I once bought a bass where all the knobs turned NON-STOP and they didn't do anything, and had to bring it back to the store and make them fix it for me...those were broken potentiometers, under the knobs. Which is beyond the scope of this video.)
    Thanks!!!

  • @affengirafe
    @affengirafe 9 років тому +1

    Saved my life. Worked on the ESP E-2. Thanks buddy :)

  • @Ryan_Haydon84
    @Ryan_Haydon84 6 років тому +1

    Thanks, that was much easier than I thought it would be!

  • @dimitriskoutsianas7122
    @dimitriskoutsianas7122 2 роки тому

    Thanks so much man I really thought my ESP was broken or something and it was just a loose nut thank you again

  • @blackedelweiss601
    @blackedelweiss601 Рік тому +2

    tip: slide a guitar pick or two under the knob when tightening it so its consistent across all your knobs/guitars (avoid scratches)

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      Great idea! Thanks for sharing this!

    • @fiddlefaddle1
      @fiddlefaddle1 Рік тому +1

      One more thing Sir. When you have pots that are split like those , place the knob right at the split. That way you are not crushing both sides of the stem and reducing the size of the stem.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      @@fiddlefaddle1 excellent advice! Thank you!

  • @unnamedproject
    @unnamedproject 6 років тому +2

    very informative since the tone knob on my new charvel came with one of those!

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  6 років тому

      Thank you! I'm glad it helped!

  • @TriggerHappyGamers
    @TriggerHappyGamers 9 років тому +1

    Thanks so much! This saved me a 70 dollar repair fee!

  • @_metal.militia
    @_metal.militia 11 місяців тому +2

    Thank you so much sir!!! I just got a new jackson Flying V and the knob was messed up!!

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  11 місяців тому

      I'm glad this helped, and congrats on the new Jackson!

    • @_metal.militia
      @_metal.militia 11 місяців тому

      @@ShredMentor Thanks! 🥂

  • @raymondwood302
    @raymondwood302 7 років тому +1

    Thanks dude, that was super helpful and super informative

  • @Kageshade
    @Kageshade 5 років тому

    thank you my friend , it helped me replace my bass knob , everything works just fine now ;)

  • @LacedBacon
    @LacedBacon 9 років тому +1

    thanks man, my bass boost/cut knob is super wobbily so I'm gonna try this method.

  • @Bonded_By_Blood
    @Bonded_By_Blood Рік тому

    Thanks a lot, didn't expect it's that easy

  • @LarryWilliamsArtist
    @LarryWilliamsArtist 6 років тому

    Just saved me a trip to the luthier. Thank you sir!

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  6 років тому

      Larry Williams Fantastic! I’m glad I could help! :)

  • @aragorn767
    @aragorn767 12 років тому

    Didn't know I could fix that with an allen wrench. awesome.

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому

    Yes, the adjustment I did was also on the side of the knob itself.

  • @jeffreyprice773
    @jeffreyprice773 6 років тому

    You can buy little brass sleeves that fit over the pot post that the screws tighten on, it takes up any play.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  6 років тому +1

      +jeffrey price oh nice! Yes that would be very useful too! I didn’t know about that at the time but thank you!

  • @Axlrad17
    @Axlrad17 2 роки тому +1

    It Was Realy helpful
    thanks man

  • @keithhart6200
    @keithhart6200 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much. I had gotten a pretty old 335 from a pawn shop and the knobs were so loose I couldnt use them

  • @RustyRat
    @RustyRat 9 років тому +2

    It's funny because i was about to take my cort bass to a shop, when i saw your video, i realized that when i got it new from the music shop, it came with those tools

  • @carlrune204
    @carlrune204 Рік тому +1

    you're a legend! thanks a lot :D

  • @matthewgilkison7615
    @matthewgilkison7615 7 років тому +2

    Thanks for helping me fix my bass

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  7 років тому

      You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful!

    • @pinkerton9761
      @pinkerton9761 6 років тому +1

      What if the bass knobs have no hole?

  • @grazietopia
    @grazietopia 11 років тому +1

    Thank you so much, I have my first show coming up on Sunday and mine was loose

  • @alexoliveira4701
    @alexoliveira4701 9 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for making this vid. Really helped!

  • @felixmelendez5853
    @felixmelendez5853 8 років тому +1

    Thank you man, this was a big help

  • @Phantheman90
    @Phantheman90 2 роки тому +1

    Extremely helpful!!

  • @sancho6040.
    @sancho6040. 7 років тому +1

    ohhh thanks man, this really helps a lot :) you save my life

  • @dannyhood7433
    @dannyhood7433 2 роки тому +1

    I bought 7 string Ibanze about 5 months ago. Not a day goes I don't play it. The volume nob has been scratchy for last 2 months. I have to turn it until the sound comes out. Static. I got electronics duster. Sprayed the pots although (I think my pots might be covered) after watching vids with 'scratchy guitar volume controls'. I haven't taken the volume nobs off yet. The nobs pull up half way. I have not found nobs similar to these on video. I'm

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      So sorry I missed this comment until now! Those sound like Push-Pull pots; typically they're used to perform a coil tap (down = humbucker, up = single coil; it turns off one of the coils of a humbucker to get a thinner but brighter sound). The knob, however, is most likely still just attached like the one in this video.
      The contact cleaner is exactly what I would've reached for first for scratchy sound, static, and audio cutting out as I turn the knobs. But if that didn't work, I'd take it to a shop/repair tech next. I hope you got it sorted out though, and sorry once again for taking so long to respond.

  • @msmachine7253
    @msmachine7253 4 роки тому +1

    So i have a new Ibanez that has this same problem. I tightened the nut beneath the knob nice and snug, but the stem the knob attaches to is still a bit jiggly. Is there something else i need to do to fix this?

  • @RichardMedhurst
    @RichardMedhurst 8 років тому

    Thanks! Btw, what guitar is that?

  • @Pon-farrLovin3
    @Pon-farrLovin3 2 роки тому +1

    When it come time to put the knobs back on, let them rest on a couple of credit cards. It creates a nice even gap so the knobs aren't to high or too low.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  2 роки тому

      Thats a great idea! I hadn't considered that. Thank you for adding that!

  • @abintm1275
    @abintm1275 4 роки тому

    Thank you very much bro..
    It really helped me...

  • @AvyaanGupta-n9c
    @AvyaanGupta-n9c 6 місяців тому

    Amazin tis helped me tons!!!

  • @263kiki
    @263kiki 11 років тому +12

    mine dosnt have a hex key slot on the side of the knob, what should i do then?

  • @joerowland
    @joerowland 11 років тому

    Thanks... Used this to help me sort out my loose coil tap it was a stubborn ass haha

  • @BONZAI437
    @BONZAI437 4 роки тому +2

    I twisted my volume knob too far and now it's wiggly, but it still works and I can't get it off to fix it.

    • @NEO_RKX
      @NEO_RKX 3 роки тому

      SAME fresh out of the box had no idea it was fucking turned up out of the box -___- first brand new guitar , so annoying

  • @alexmodgil
    @alexmodgil 11 років тому +1

    thanks for putting up the video man....that was a great help and it worked too...

  • @desparadoxs
    @desparadoxs 4 місяці тому

    Damn, for a moment I thought my guitar was broken, and I started ranting about how terrible life is. I was really upset. Then I did some research and found this video. Turns out, I could actually loosen and tighten these parts. Ah, damn, I feel a bit relieved now.

  • @netiii
    @netiii 4 роки тому +1

    Eeks umm... I kinda sorta maybe probably just broke off the entire knob from my bass, leaving nothing but the nut left on it. So instead of having the pot there, it had broken off with my knob. Will this be able to be fixed in a shop?? Any advice will be appreciated.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  4 роки тому +1

      Sofia Dee yikes! Yeah an experienced repair tech should be able to fix that for you. It sounds like the pot will need to be replaced.

    • @netiii
      @netiii 4 роки тому

      ShredMentor Okay thanks a bunch for the feedback! I really appreciate it.

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому +1

    haha nice! Glad you found it helpful!

  • @richarda7346
    @richarda7346 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks .

  • @PraetorianCuber
    @PraetorianCuber 4 роки тому

    thank you so much! such an easy fix!

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому

    You might need to loosen the side-screws on the knobs some more. How old is the guitar? The knobs could just be stuck; make sure they're fully loosened, and then pull. It could be rusted down.
    If none of this works, you may need to take it to a shop. I've never had any trouble taking knobs off; even without allen-wrench screws, the design is essentially the same for all metal knobs.

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  12 років тому

    Sometimes, for older knobs, you may have to use a tiny flathead screwdriver instead.

  • @murphdawg321
    @murphdawg321 9 років тому +1

    Thanks for the help

  • @sandra.wonderfulduetbull6469
    @sandra.wonderfulduetbull6469 Рік тому +2

    What about an accustic guitar, volume button is loose on a fish man set up.?

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with that so I'm unable to tell you either way. Sorry!

  • @mattlikeshxc
    @mattlikeshxc 11 років тому

    My bass has the same notches for an allen wrench, and the volume knob is loose and also turns around continuously without stopping as it should usually at max and min volume levels... could i fix that problem with this technique as well? thanks for the video though, very useful.

  • @RajPangare
    @RajPangare 8 років тому +1

    Thanks!

  • @rsoulburnz
    @rsoulburnz 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks dude

  • @Romans838a
    @Romans838a Рік тому +1

    Tysm❤

  • @RajjiePooh
    @RajjiePooh 2 роки тому +1

    My bro, thanks

  • @lsjames
    @lsjames 5 років тому

    Thank you

  • @JuanDeag228
    @JuanDeag228 7 років тому +25

    I've had it loose for 2 years and it ended up rupturing two wires inside ;(

    • @matthewgilkison7615
      @matthewgilkison7615 6 років тому +2

      Holy shit!

    • @inexternalrecords
      @inexternalrecords 5 років тому +1

      Hey man, it can always be re-wired at a music shop. Any simple soldering equipment and a diagram will fix 'er right up.

    • @user-qc1mc2ly8j
      @user-qc1mc2ly8j 3 роки тому +3

      How do I know that's happened? The thing with mine is that there's no longer a limit to how far it can turn. It can do so forever

    • @JuanDeag228
      @JuanDeag228 3 роки тому +1

      @@user-qc1mc2ly8j this is the point where it's gonna break the wires

    • @user-qc1mc2ly8j
      @user-qc1mc2ly8j 3 роки тому +1

      @@JuanDeag228 so just don't touch it?

  • @kevinwolf3100
    @kevinwolf3100 8 років тому +2

    thanks

  • @jimlimbu
    @jimlimbu 2 роки тому +1

    What is that volume/tone knob called?

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  Рік тому

      I'm not sure what you mean unfortunately.

  • @MonkeysWithMachetes
    @MonkeysWithMachetes 11 років тому

    Thanks for the tips. Worked great (Y)

  • @GatesGuitar
    @GatesGuitar 11 років тому

    Why doesnt it work for me..? I got the same kind of knobs and i do exacly as done in this video but my knobs wont come off, they're just stuck. Please help

  • @Alexanderc12345
    @Alexanderc12345 4 роки тому

    Thank you man

  • @robseabrook712
    @robseabrook712 8 років тому +2

    there is no hex key for mine ..so much for that...great if you have a hex slot to loosen of course freaking Ibanez does not and now the soder is broken...Im pissed

  • @samilmansur
    @samilmansur 11 років тому +3

    I have a coil-tappable guitar, and when i try to remove the knob, i can't remove it, it becomes coil-tapped mode. What should i do?

    • @mpalin11
      @mpalin11 4 роки тому

      Is there a screw you could loosen?

    • @samilmansur
      @samilmansur 4 роки тому

      @@mpalin11 I think so. 6 years of trying to tighten my guitar's loose knobs, 6 years of frustration. Please relieve this unbearable pain of mine, sir!

  • @evalex71
    @evalex71 12 років тому

    Very helpful, thanks!

  • @rnbsn777
    @rnbsn777 10 місяців тому

    Does anyone know how to remove metal knobs without the keyhole in the side?

  • @Niwweleg
    @Niwweleg 11 місяців тому

    hi, what should I do with push/pull knobs?

  • @JSG-mw4qr
    @JSG-mw4qr 8 років тому +1

    thanks a million

  • @nimeacresent8657
    @nimeacresent8657 5 років тому

    Can you replace that bridge with a floyd rose so you can use tremolo?

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  5 років тому +1

      Nimea Cresent technically it would be possible but it would be so expensive to route the body that it would cost less to buy a model that already has a tremolo bridge installed.

  • @Mark-dx8rr
    @Mark-dx8rr Рік тому

    My PRS CE24 has transparent volume and tone knobs. I can see a single screw inside but I don't know if I should just pull on it or take the plate off of the back of it or what. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

  • @rituraj3758
    @rituraj3758 8 років тому +1

    Thank you much

  • @erizabesu9764
    @erizabesu9764 2 роки тому

    I've lost the tiny screw inside the keyhole. Any ideas where I could find a replacement?

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  2 роки тому +1

      You will probably need a replacement knob. You can probably find one at your local guitar shop for about $10. Online you can probably (definitely) find what you need at the StewMac website.

  • @QuincyKane
    @QuincyKane 8 років тому +2

    God bless you, man, haha.

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  8 років тому +1

      Thanks Quincy! :) glad it helped!

  • @DarkestofTimes
    @DarkestofTimes 9 років тому

    Awesome video, really helpful. but my Ibanez RG6003FM has no hex key for the pots. How do I loosen them?

  • @michaeloflouisiana9469
    @michaeloflouisiana9469 7 років тому

    I love my Ibanez, but the volume is right in the way of my pick hand nuances. I'll try to go for a big SRV or Zakk type bend, where they just sling their hand, and I'll hit it everytime. Hard

  • @demonslayer838
    @demonslayer838 27 днів тому

    Thankss

  • @jonathan-sl6xl
    @jonathan-sl6xl 4 роки тому

    Thanks!!!!

  • @patrickbryant9302
    @patrickbryant9302 6 років тому

    Thank you!

  • @AdrianPrudnikow
    @AdrianPrudnikow 7 років тому +1

    So usefull Thank you so much !

  • @traiangherman8902
    @traiangherman8902 4 роки тому

    Thanks man!

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому

    Excellent, thanks!

  • @dontstop2517
    @dontstop2517 3 роки тому

    this kind of knob fits in every type of pot?

    • @ShredMentor
      @ShredMentor  3 роки тому

      Sorry for the late response - as far as I know, yes it should.

  • @ShredMentor
    @ShredMentor  11 років тому

    That should be very inexpensive to obtain. Auto parts stores often sell little sets of them, or you may even find a good eyeglasses repair kit at the supermarket which should work fine.

  • @garv0388
    @garv0388 6 років тому

    So i did exactly that but when I tried it all i could hear from the amp was feedback. I made sure it wasn't the cord and I also switched amps and it still wouldn't get sound . any ideas?

  • @ParanormalMetalMan
    @ParanormalMetalMan 5 років тому

    What kind of guitar is this?

  • @pardusx6742
    @pardusx6742 11 років тому

    mine has no hole on the side, how do i get it off

  • @davidnippert3866
    @davidnippert3866 4 роки тому

    Thanks bro 🤘