Frozen knobs on an old bass

[hankazoid]

I acquired an old bass guitar and the knobs are just about frozen. To get any movement from them I have to apply a good amount of force. What causes this, and what would I have to do to get them to work properly?

[scottbass]

By "knobs" I assume you mean the electrical pots - the volume and tone "knobs", right? (Not the tuners.) I suppose you could try spraying something into them, but since they are so cheap (less than $5 each) the solution that makes the most sense is to just replace them with some new pots.

[hankazoid]

Thanks.

[Cadfael]

Maybe you need new pots in the end ...

Can you put off the knows?
The oil/grease in the pots has "baken" (as we say in Germany). Maybe rust?!
Does a neighbour have a motorbike? Ask him for a tiny bit of "spray oil" (like WD40). Put off the knobs from the pots and spray a TINY bit between shaft and the axis. This will make the oil/grease fluid or loosen the rust. Not too much! Maybe it takes some hours before the spray oil fully works.

But maybe you need new pots - which only costs a few dollars.
The "electronic" is "stone age electronic" (on passive basses still nowadays) ...

[pbagley]

Spray tuner and control cleaner, with lubricant, worked for me on an old Italian electric guitar. I used the cheap Radio Shack brand, there are better products out there for around the same cost but RS was on the way home from work.

Good Luck!

[ddnidd1]

WD-40 might loosen them up, but should never be used on electronics.

If the pots are that corroded, just spend a few bucks and replace them.

[Im a sock]

Electrical contact cleaner will probably do it. A couple bucks at radio shack and its safe for electronics.

[bezo420]

Never use an oil to lube your pots. You will fry them. You have to use a greaseless lubricant designed for electrical contacts. I personally use LPS, and it works great. Spray it in and work the pots around. Just make sure to let it dry before you use it. That's why you don't use oil, because it doesn't dry and will short out the pot.

It's more than likely just corrosion. Some cleaner in there and enough movement could knock it free and clean it out, but it might be easier just to replace the pots.

[TinIndian]

Yeah chances are if you get them free they will be noisy. You can try it but I'd vote for replacement unless it is a vintage Fender or something that people go nuts for originality.

[TN WOODMAN]

Contact cleaner ironically is worse on wood finishes. Be careful, I have permanent staining on my Flying V after spraying pots.

[GODSBASSMAN]

Are you talking "old" as maybe it might be one of Jaco's basses?