Name:    Steve Kennedy
Email:   steve@pacair.com  
Subject: Restoring numbering on knobs
Thread:  40
Time:    Fri, 4 Jan 2002 21:06:03 UTC

Bob's reply got me to wondering.... most of the restorations I have done were of older Music Man amps. Had Music Man made a change? All of mine had silkscreened numbers that floated away when soaked in water leaving a smooth knob underneath.


I just checked my latest Music Man... a 1982 or 83 210RD-100-EVM. This amp has knobs with the numbers molded into the knob skirt, but NOT like the Fender knobs. The Music Man knobs have their numbers RAISED above the surface, NOT "engraved" below the surface like the Fenders.


Apparently, Music Man had complaints about the original knobs and finally did something about it in the last years of production!


This method of molding the raised numbering is a little strange because you can still wear off the ink! However, after the ink is worn off a black raised number is left that can be restored by carefully tamping or wiping new ink on them.


This is better than the Fender "engraving" in only one way.... the numbers can't fill up with dirt and beer-gunk like the Fenders do!


However, Fender knobs are still easier to clean and restore if you have to.


Steve