| Re-wiring Ampeg SVT CL Preamp Pots
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I have two SVT CL heads that I use on a regular basis (a '94 and a '97), about 2-3 times a week for a good 3+ hours. The tone is phenomenal, and they've been put through a lot and usually hold up quite well. I have had one consistent issue with them both, though:
Occasionally, while playing the sound will cut in and out (crackle) or cut out completely. The standby doesn't come on, and the amp is still running fine. If I tap the control knobs one by one, I'll find one that crackles. I can continue tapping it until the sound comes back, and it will work for a while until it crackles / cuts out again. Anyway, long story long, a year ago my tech discovered that this is due to halo cracks in the soldering on the pre amp circuit board. The pots are soldered directly to the PCB on the preamp, and when jostled a bad solder will lead to it cutting out or crackling. So, a couple times over the last year, between the two heads, I've spend about a hour or so re-soldering each pots connection to the preamp PCB (as well as De-Oxit for each pot) and the problem goes away. For 6 months or so, at which point the strain of being soldered directly eventually causes it to crackle again.
Either way, I would like to find a solution that is a preventative, not just a repair to the problem. Is there a way to re-wire the preamp circuit so that the control knob pots are all wired without being soldered directly to the PCB? If so, do I need a different type of pot? Do I just run the same wire I use for wiring pickups on a guitar? Any input is much appreciated! | 
