Recessed Control Knobs

by: Roosevelt Walker Jr.

All though not necessary to having a good looking guitar build, it most certainly adds to the aesthetics of a custom built guitar. And if you consider the ease and that the time for labor on this is less then five minutes per control knob access....go for it.

Easy just does not express how simple it is to recess your knobs. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, this picture sure is, but I'll add a few technical words to aid you here. You will want to use a drill press to do this. I use a 1-1/4" cove bit for the recess. Remove the bearing on the cove bit, secure your guitar in place with some wood strips and clamps (The wood strips is to protect the guitar from the clamps). Center the cove bit in the hole that you have already drilled. Look at the centering from all different angles to make sure you are centered, the last thing you want is to have a recess off to one side of the hole. Now that everything is lined up centered and secured, start your drilling process. I drill very slowly about 1/32" then raise the bit and look at the progress. I repeat that process untill there is about 5/64" left. The last step is to take some sandpaper and lightly smooth everything out.

Recesses dyed and clear-coated.

Knobs added