Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

[JammerMatt]

I can't remove the volume pot from my Les Paul. It seems to be attached to the metal plate that lives between the pot and the inside of the cavity.

Does anyone know of any secret screws or bolts holding this pot in?

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

There is no secret screw. (joke there somewhere)

Pull the knobs and remove the nuts and washers. After that get into the cavity and remove the string ground from the bridge volume pot, the pickup and switch wires from the volume pots and the jack connections from the center ternimals of the plate.

After that the plate should come free from the guitar. Sometimes its a rather snug fit but a combination of pushing on the pot stems from the front and pulling on the plate will free the plate and pots from the cavity.

Sometimes it takes a little effort but it will come out.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

Yes...I don't like working on those Les Pauls. To replace one pot you have to remove all the knobs and nuts for all four pots and the ground wire Robert mentioned...though the ground wire on the Les Paul I just worked on was on the neck volume pot, not the bridge volume pot. Don't forget to unsolder it though...the plate won't slide out until you do. You'll need a long shaft replacement pot, BTW. Lew

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

Lew is right, neck volume pot for the string ground.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

So, that was the problem. I just loosened one pot. It sounds like you need to take all the knobs off, and take all the nuts off as well, and pull the assembly out wholesale. Is that right?

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

Oh yeah, forgot to ask. Is a 250k pot normally recommended for a JB bridge? I just put JB/Jazz combo in that LP, and I think the stock pots are 500k. The JB sounds good, but a tad on the bright side for my liking. I was wondering if a 250k tone pot might be the answer for a warmer, more mellow tone.

Also, would you recommend 250k volume pot for the Jazz?

The 250k pots are what I have in my two Jacksons, and the JB and Jazz in those rigs sound exactly like I want them to (they're alder w/ maple/rosewood and maple/ebony necks though).

Thanks again guys, as always you're a tremendous help.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

It sounds like you need to take all the knobs off, and take all the nuts off as well, and pull the assembly out wholesale. Is that right?

Yep.

The 250k pots are what I have in my two Jacksons, and the JB and Jazz in those rigs sound exactly like I want them to (they're alder w/ maple/rosewood and maple/ebony necks though).

That wouldn't be my choice, I prefer 500K, but if that's exactly the sound you're looking for then sure: go with 250K.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Can't get the volume pot out of my LP. Help?

That may be why a lot of Pauls have 300K pots now. A comprimise?