Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

[micah.whitsel]

So I'm working on a bass that naturally requires long shaft pots to fit. It is one of those that has a rear cavity and the holes going through the body. I feel limited with my choice of pots only being able to use long shafts as it is so much harder to find stuff like no loads, concentric pots, push-pulls, etc with long shafts. Has anyone every tried routing the electronics cavity deeper, or routing the area arond where the pots themselves will be resting deeper to allow use of short shaft pots? I would worry about not leaving enough wood and a small impact on a knob breaking through the hole. Does anyone have any experience with trying something like this or have an alternative solution to the issue that wouldn't require adding a pick guard?

Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

I have never routed a cavity deeper but I can tell you that millions of Gibson SGs have their cavities routed to less than 1/4" from the top and I have never seen one with the pot smashed through unless something really traumatic happened to it. And that is mahogany.
And they use short-shaft pots.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

Yes, I've done it many times. No problem at all.
Just rout out where the pot goes leaving 3/16" of wood, no need to rout the entire control cavity. Even 1/8" wood will be plenty strong.

 

[jtees4]

Re: Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

Yes, I routed a few cavities on an old Hohner GT2T I had....no problems, and I'm no genius. I'm pretty sure I just did it by hand probably with a chisel if I remember correctly.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

I try to use the thinnest and biggest diameter washer I have on hand between the pot and the body for more surface area and strength. Also it helps prevent the paint and wood from crushing when you snug it down.

 

[micah.whitsel]

Re: Fitting short shaft pots into instrument with long shaft pots

This is great news! Thanks for the replies everybody! I'm going to get to cutting when I can get back to my shop next week.