Author |
Message |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 10:36 pm: | |
Hello Friends! Finally decided to stop standing on the sidelines and get in the game here. First, my credentials: '78 2618AV, '78 ST-300NT, '78 MC-400NT, '79 ST-300DS, '79 MC-924, '79 MC-980, '80 ST-1200BS (Low #L800008), '81 AR-500AV, '81 AR-500CS, '85 AR-350PW, and a no-serial number Custom Agent. My question is regarding what I consider the holy grail of Ibanez parts - the EQ knobs (either style) used on Tone System guitars and some of the effects boxes. I have never come across a single one in all my years of searching, rummaging, begging, etc. In fact, I have only ever seen one auction on ebay for three (3) EQ knobs and I LOST!!! after bidding $100 bucks. Someone else just wanted them more I guess. Any comments? Has anyone had luck in finding these? Thanks. |
Pitviper
Username: Pitviper
Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 12:14 am: | |
Thats a very impressive list...how about some pic's. |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 7:35 am: | |
Will do. I plan to take some photos this weekend and will post them ASAP. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 02-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 8:52 am: | |
I've never seen mc924 or mc980. Are they "Musician" models? anyone have any photos of those 2? |
Hasenobu
Username: Hasenobu
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 9:11 am: | |
They are bass gutars. As for MC924, for example, see below: http://www.geocities.jp/ar_lovers_room/catalogues/1983_04/83_2526.jpg |
Gramatica
Username: Gramatica
Registered: 07-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 10:03 am: | |
Nice scans. But I wonder why Heidi is looking at the MC824DS? Maybe she is there to illustrate how huge the bass is...
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 02-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:29 am: | |
Thanx Gentlemen... I'm not too familiar at all with the Ibanez basses, that's why the model #'s didn't ring a bell. Looks like a nice one though. |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:53 am: | |
Yes, they are both Musician series basses (I'm a jack of all trades, master of none). The MC-924 is similar to the 824 but has two pickups and EQ tone system. The MC-980 is the *gasp* 8 string...and it goes to '11'. I'll get some pics up soon... |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 9:19 pm: | |
Here are a couple of old pics I did have lying around. These two 'brothers' are only 66 guitars apart based on their serial numbers. Both are March 1981. More to follow...
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Pitviper
Username: Pitviper
Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:22 am: | |
You should sell BobZilla one of those! |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 6:05 pm: | |
Of all the guitars I own, these would probably be the LAST two I would ever sell. I've just got so many miles on 'em, you know? The 500CS has been my main stage / studio guitar for years now. I just know it inside and out and it always feels good. I never have to 'fight' that guitar. Sorry BobZilla... |
Boymambo
Username: Boymambo
Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 6:26 pm: | |
Maybe the Captain or Spiro may be able to help you with you knob issue. They may have something lurking in the parts bin. |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 6:36 pm: | |
Thanks for the tip. I'll give them a shout. Posting a few more pics that I have readily available. Four browns and a burst. Hey, how did that LP get in there? For the record, it's Gumby's Gibson...
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Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 7:21 pm: | |
There are at least 2 versions of the EQ knobs. If you are looking for the later ones, you might check out a local electronic shop: These knobs are available over here in Germany for less than $3 each. According to the data sheet they're not quite as high as the Ibanez knobs but I think those are as close as you can get. I guess I will order a couple to check them out... Juergen |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 10:16 pm: | |
Juergen: Thanks for the information. Wow. The pics you've included do look like very good matches for the 'newer' style EQ knobs. Has anyone had any luck with the 'older' style knobs used on the 2622, Musicians, Studios, etc. like this: Please let me know. Thanks. |
Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla
Registered: 02-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 12:07 pm: | |
Tri... listen to Pit.... SELL ME ONE OF THOSE!!! Thanx for the photos... beautiful guitars. |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 8:20 am: | |
BobZ: Well, I've seen pics of your AR-1200 (very nice!) and I must admit that's one of my 'grail guitars'. If you happen to have another one lying around under the bed, maybe I could decide which of my AR500 'children' I might be willing to part with... |
Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman
Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 6:02 pm: | |
Zilla...are you there?? May all of life's choices be this difficult! mk |
Phatphred
Username: Phatphred
Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 6:05 pm: | |
Juergen Did you ever try those knobs as in the Feb 3 posting above? Any good? |
Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 6:36 pm: | |
I've ordered a set but haven't tried them yet. I guess I'll have to dig a guitar out of the pile tomorrow, put them on and post some pics... Juergen |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 8:11 am: | |
Please do. Thanks Yogi! |
Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 4:35 pm: | |
Guys, today I finally had time to try those knobs out but with no luck: I tried to pull the EQ knobs of 3 guitars but they were all tight fit (and yes, I loosened the screws). So I can only provide a pic to compare them. The replacements are a bit smaller so if the "original look" should be restored, it could be necessary to shorten the pot shaft... Juergen
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Garyelcrrt
Username: Garyelcrrt
Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 4:56 pm: | |
Wouldn't it be easier to put a washer in the chain BELOW the wood? That way you keep the original pots, as well as the original spline length ABOVE to wood. |
Garyelcrrt
Username: Garyelcrrt
Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 5:01 pm: | |
Also (probably talking to the Pro-From-Dover here) have you tried the old "wrap fishing line around the shaft below the base of the knob and then pull up evenly on the strings from each side" trick? Really does work, if you haven't tried it before. For knobs that are EXTRA tight, wrap the loose ends of the line around a pencil (or screwdriver shaft) and pull up on IT. The improved grip surface won't cut into your fingers, either. |
Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 6:30 pm: | |
Garyelcrrt, thanks for your input! The washer method would be of course the easiest way to resolve that problem but often the pots are already installed pretty low so washer(s) might not compensate the difference in height. The "inner height" from the base of the knobs is 13mm so maybe there's no compensation necessary anyway, depending on the height of the original knobs. Maybe someone who had more luck with the pulling could do some measuring... I actually have the Knob/Bushing Puller by StewMac which works great but since the tops of the Musicians are very thin and crack easily, I won't mess with the knobs unless I really have to... Anyway, an even easier solution would be to leave the shafts just as they are. I'd say with those knobs it looks as close as it can get. Juergen |
Garyelcrrt
Username: Garyelcrrt
Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 7:51 pm: | |
In that case, may I recommend that you play it until the knobs fall off by themselves from sheer exhaustion? That's the only way to teach it a lesson.
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Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 6:11 pm: | |
I gave the knobs another try, chose my good 'ol MC924 as the "victim" and had more luck this time. The knobs went off easily and fit perfectly, without any further modification. Juergen
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Phatphred
Username: Phatphred
Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:33 am: | |
Juergen, you could have fooled me. Now put on the replacements and let's see what they look like Seriously, that really seems to work, at least until the real thing comes along (at this point I feel a song coming on). That's not far off from a life saver! Care to tell us where to get them? Better still, sell a set a week on eBay and retire, that's what everybody else seems to be doing |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 11:14 pm: | |
Juergen: Thanks for taking the time to research the issue and for taking the great pics! Finally, a viable solution for the EQ knob impaired guitar. The other option is to pick up a UE700 effects unit (we all know there are tons of THEM lying around) and just harvest the knobs off that baby as you need them. |
Graeme
Username: Graeme
Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 6:29 am: | |
Thanks to all that have added to the above.......but could you tell me how to get hold of some eq knobs at $3 from germany? Do you have a web site for the company? or does anyone have a UE 700 unit...great tip, the price of those are gonna go thro the roof now......he he! I am a new owner of a gorgeous 79 mc 400 which i love to pieces even if I'm still learning to play it !! The eq knobs are modern ones and would love to get back to original condition someday, but maybe these $3 ones will be great for now Many Thanks Graeme |
Yogi
Username: Yogi
Registered: 04-2003
| Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 10:02 am: | |
I found those knobs at a German Retailer/Online Shop but they have a min. order value of approx. $60 for international orders and don't ship overseas. But don't lose hope, I have a feeling that some of those knobs will be on Ebay very soon... Up for auction as well will be a few of the original EQ pots that I recently found in my parts box Juergen |
Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman
Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 11:05 am: | |
Graeme: You have mail. mk |
Graeme
Username: Graeme
Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 12:10 pm: | |
Hi Juergen Thanks for your reply....hey that min order makes your $3 knobs $30 a piece plus postage, which puts them up to eBay prices...ha ha !!!! Will keep a look out on ebay for your new and original knobs, but hey.....lets keep the prices realistic !!! Do you have any Sure Grip 2's hiding away anywhere as well ? Many Thanks Graeme |
Trisound
Username: Trisound
Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 5:16 pm: | |
Just remember, the guy who started this thread gets first dibs... |