Gibson Panel Button Cap
We keep getting asked about this one — the panel button cap is one of those Gibson parts that fails long before the rest of the unit is done. With your sample on the bench this is a realistic reproduction job.
We keep getting asked about this one — the panel button cap is one of those Gibson parts that fails long before the rest of the unit is done. With your sample on the bench this is a realistic reproduction job.
Why these break
Button caps crack or go missing on older gear. The factory part is made from plastic that loses its plasticisers over the years. It gets glassy, then one day it lets go under a load it used to handle easily.
How we reproduce them
Reproducing one is straightforward for us: we measure your sample (broken is fine, as long as most of it is there), match the profile, and print in a tougher modern material. Turnaround is usually within the week.
We print these in ABS. ABS matches the look and feel of the factory plastic, takes a sanded or textured finish well, and handles everyday warmth without complaint.
As with everything in our library: whether a part can be reproduced depends on size, load, heat, material, and having a decent sample to work from. Send photos first — the assessment costs you nothing, and we'll tell you honestly if a genuine spare is the better option.
Part details
| Manufacturer | Gibson |
|---|---|
| Vehicle / equipment type | Musical instrument |
| Common failure mode | Button caps crack or go missing on older gear |
| Typical use case | Replacement part for musical instrument. |
Printing & reverse engineering
| Can print directly | No |
|---|---|
| Can scan from broken sample | Yes |
| Can redesign / improve | Yes |
| Recommended material | ABS |
| Alternative materials | Resin |
| Print technology | FDM |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Estimated print time | 20–40 minutes |
| Estimated cost range | $4 – $10 |
| Expected lifespan | 5+ years indoors |
| Outdoor suitable | No |
| Heat resistant | No |
| Load bearing | Depends |
| Requires post-processing | No |
Ask us about this part
Many plastic parts can be recreated, repaired, redesigned, or printed, depending on size, load, heat, material, and available samples.
