Really Awful or Kinda Kitschy-Cool?

[lawson-stone]

So I finally got my Loar LH650 equipped with volume AND tone and it's all working, not shorting out, not falling off… but by the time I was done, the only knobs I had that had the numbers on them (I require the numbers!) were… well … you can see for yourself.

Change them out before I take this guitar out of my house, or leave them?

You can make a difference!

[Klatu]

I'd probably swap them out for knobs that better complemented the lovely wood, but it's really just subjective preference.

[mr quick]

that guitar would look ace with some gold gibson-style knobs! the white plastic makes it look like a european archtop from the 1950s... whether or not that is a good thing is up to you

[lawson-stone]

that guitar would look ace with some gold gibson-style knobs! the white plastic makes it look like a european archtop from the 1950s... whether or not that is a good thing is up to you

You mean the kind of transparent gold "speed knobs" or metallic?

I'm seriously going to replace these, but wanted to see if anyone at all thought hey, white is kinda snarky and cool. I was thinking black, but maybe the gold is better.

[gcb]

I would leave it as it is. You already have a gold plated PU cover and a nickel tailpiece, so the mesage that guitar conveys is functionality.

[mr. beaumont]

The look doesn't bother me much, but I much prefer a smaller knob if they're going to be that close together.

[lawson-stone]

I would leave it as it is. You already have a gold plated PU cover and a nickel tailpiece, so the mesage that guitar conveys is functionality.

Actually I'm pondering a gold tailpiece. I have a gold one I could use in a parts box. I'd still have nickel tuners, though.

[Jabberwocky]

Cream chickenheads! Cream or Brown barrel knobs or my second favourite ES-250 replica Bakelite knobs. My favourite are the ES-150 flower-top Bakelite knobs but those replicas are hard to find.

Obviously, Schatten thumbwheels are the most discreet.

[jazzimprov]

swap 'em out..... fur shure.....

[mr quick]

Ooh, yeah! The brown barrel would also be nice!

[Woody Sound]

Actually I'm pondering a gold tailpiece. I have a gold one I could use in a parts box. I'd still have nickel tuners, though.

Then replace those too!

[pubylakeg]

Don't know about shaft sizes, but I'm always intrigued by old radio parts. I've seen some really evocative looking, unique, vintage parts on sale from suppliers of catalin radio spares.
Today's selection on ebay might give you some idea,
radio knobs | eBay

[Woody Sound]

Don't know about shaft sizes, but I'm always intrigued by old radio parts. I've seen some really evocative looking, unique, vintage parts on sale from suppliers of catalin radio spares.
Today's selection on ebay might give you some idea,
radio knobs | eBay

Some VERY cool stuff there!

[lawson-stone]

Cream chickenheads! Cream or Brown barrel knobs or my second favourite ES-250 replica Bakelite knobs. My favourite are the ES-150 flower-top Bakelite knobs but those replicas are hard to find.

Obviously, Schatten thumbwheels are the most discreet.

Is the picture the "barrel knobs" you refer to?

I have this thing about numbers on my knobs. I know. But I like them on there. So I can turn volume up to 11 and tone down to -3. I call that Jim "Down the Hall"

[MaxTwang]

solid wood knobs would look nice, ebony maybe?

[Woody Sound]

So I finally got my Loar LH650 equipped with volume AND tone and it's all working, not shorting out, not falling off… but by the time I was done, the only knobs I had that had the numbers on them (I require the numbers!)

I used to want numbers, but I discovered that one well placed dot will do the job.

[icr]

My daughter saw my guitar before I painted the knobs and actually liked it that way...

...when she interits it she can scrap the black paint off...white is not my color.

[Jabberwocky]

Is the picture the "barrel knobs" you refer to?...

No, those are the ES-250-style knobs. The barrel knobs are the ones found on Fender Brownface amps.

As suggested, ebony or wood cylindrical knobs would also be very nice. Or grained Ivoroid ones.

If you require numbers, oh well, stick with what you have the guitar for now.

[Woody Sound]

I used to want numbers, but I discovered that one well placed dot will do the job.

Or, of course, chickenheads.

[2bornot2bop]

Here's mine with "numbers."

I'd not sweat it, yours looks great. Most here don't know what great guitars these LH650's are. When you get a good one, its tone is as good as archtops costing $5k or more. I preferred the Bartolini floater on a previous '650 I owned.

The biggest improvement, to me, was adding the Gagnon African Blackwood bridge

[lawson-stone]

Whats a good source on one of those bridges?

[lawson-stone]

Here's mine with "numbers."

I'd not sweat it, yours looks great. Most here don't know what great guitars these LH650's are. When you get a good one, its tone is as good as archtops costing $5k or more. I preferred the Bartolini floater on a previous '650 I owned.

The biggest improvement, to me, was adding the Gagnon African Blackwood bridge

Hey I think you and I are the only one's I have seen that have the "natural" finish on the LH650. Did they stop offering that for some reason? I love it, especially the contrast with the darker maple back and sides. It really gives it even more of the Gibson L4c vibe.

[pingu]

Or, of course, chickenheads.

they're some nice chicken - heads

[lawson-stone]

Maybe we need a "Show me your LOAR!" thread. Kind of a coming-out time for all us Loar owners ashamed of having spent so little for such a spunky, fun archtop...

[2bornot2bop]

Whats a good source on one of those bridges?

here you go bro

Bill is in Oregon, just a stones throw to the south of me in Seattle

Archtop Guitar