Abbreviations: HG – horizontal grain; VG – vertical grain; D – knob diameter (inches); H – knob height (inches); SG – generic superglue; JPW – Johnson’s Paste Wax, Original Formula (UPC 046500-002021)
Wood obtained from WoodCraft, Tulsa, OK. Images follow descriptions. They are adjusted as close to real colors as possible. Because of differences in shooting them, the relative sizes between images do not necessarily match dimensions in descriptions.
The SG base is alternately applied and polished to two or three layers after polishing the wood. JPW is then applied and buffed to two or three layers. Using HG puts face grain (not end grain) on the top of the knob, which shows more iridescence, if any.
Although these knobs have smaller diameters than standard plastic guitar knobs, they are much wider and taller at the top, fat knobs. The grooves and ridges around the tops also help fingers turn them easier. Every knob is different by intention. After 130 knobs, it’s hard to come up with a completely new shape every time, but sometimes a flaw in the wood , which needs to be removed, will suggest a new shape. Lately, homemade carbide lathe tools do most of the cutting, by hand on a small wood lathe.
Knob 0133 – HG Bubinga, 17 June 2015, 0.900D x 0.735H, SG base, JPW finish. Sometimes known as African Rosewood. Has reddish-tan color with darker stripes of reddish-purple, with iridescence in face grain.
Knob 0134 – HG Bubinga, 21 June 15, 0.913D x 0.712H, SG base, JPW finish.
Knob 0135 – HG Bubinga, 21 June 15, 0.916D x 0.722H, SG base, JPW finish.
Knob 0136 – HG Redheart, 21 June 15, 0.874D x 0.602H, SG base, JPW finish. Color runs from dark red to orange, more bright and saturated than other woods, with significant iridescence in face grain.
Knob 0137 – HG Redheart, 22 June 15, 0.897D x 0.612H, SG base, JPW finish.
Knob 0138 – HG Redheart, 22 June 15, 0.902D x 0.605H, SG base, JPW finish.
Knob 0139 – HG Redheart, 22 June 15, 0.931D x 0.623H, SG base, JPW finish. This one has some dark brown grain, more like rosewood, which shows on the top of the knob.
Knob 0140 – HG Redheart, 22 June 15, 0.884D x 0.610H, SG base, JPW finish.
Knob 0141, HG Redheart, 23 June 15, 0.900D x 0.585H, SG base, JPW finish.
