Portion of Pot Range Dead

SBassman · #1 01-10-2007, 09:21 AM

I'm setting up a bass with a volume pot that has a portion of the range dead. What I mean is that turning the knob from off to max, I get 3 ranges: volume, dead, back to volume.

Any chance there's any shmutz somewhere that could be causing this - and be removable? Any chance a blast of contact cleaner could cure this, or do I have to replace the pot?

SBassman · #2 01-10-2007, 05:31 PM

Anybody?

ulrich · #3 01-10-2007, 06:02 PM

It's a $5 part; just solder in a new one. I 'spose it wouldn't hurt to try hosing it down with CaiLube.

Is this a vintage bass, where non-stock parts will affect value?

pkr2 · #4 01-10-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

I'm setting up a bass with a volume pot that has a portion of the range dead. What I mean is that turning the knob from off to max, I get 3 ranges: volume, dead, back to volume.

Any chance there's any shmutz somewhere that could be causing this - and be removable? Any chance a blast of contact cleaner could cure this, or do I have to replace the pot?

A squirt of cleaner may make it work for a while, but if you're setting the bass up properly, it's better to replace the pot. They're cheap (usually) and they only take a few minutes to replace.

Cleaning a pot is only meant to buy you a little time before you have to change it. It's not meant to be a permanent repair.

Don't change anything on old instruments. Collectibles are worth more with original, but worn out pots than with new functional pots.

IMO

SBassman · #5 01-10-2007, 07:30 PM

It's not an old bass, but the pots feel good - they have a smoother feel than I have felt with most other pots, so I was trying to avoid pulling it.

pkr2 · #6 01-11-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

It's not an old bass, but the pots feel good - they have a smoother feel than I have felt with most other pots, so I was trying to avoid pulling it.

If it's your personal bass, I'd just clean them and see what happens. If you're doing the setup for a customer, you should replace the pot unless the customer, after being forewarned that it may not be a permanent repair, chooses the cheaper cleaning route. That way you're both covered.

You'll likely change the feel of the pots when you shoot cleaner into them because it washes all the lubrication and grease out. The grease on the shaft is often a heavy grease that actually creates a little bit of drag on the shaft which gives it a better feel. It's not unheard of for a manufacturer to pack the whole cavity with a silicone (or is it silicon ?) grease that gives them a silky feel. I don't think you'd find that on a bass, though.

IMO

ulrich · #7 01-11-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkr2

8<
You'll likely change the feel of the pots when you shoot cleaner into them because it washes all the lubrication and grease out. The grease on the shaft is often a heavy grease that actually creates a little bit of drag on the shaft which gives it a better feel. 8<

While it may not give you the original fell, it's would still be wise to spray some CaiLube in to replace the grease.

pkr2 · #8 01-11-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulrich

While it may not give you the original fell, it's would still be wise to spray some CaiLube in to replace the grease.

You very well may be right.

The Deoxit site was pretty interesting. I remember when that stuff hit the market and it got good reviews, but then it sort of faded out of sight.

I've never tried it but I would, given the chance. I definitely would try the Deoxit grease. I've used controls that were jelly packed and they are smooth.