Pots performance doesn't improve after cleaning

[ryback]

Hi there.

I have a Squier J Bass California Series. I bought it new, now has 18 months and I have used it very little. Since I bought it, I percieved that the pots didn't work properly. The bass only sounds when pots are at max. If I reduce volume just a little bit (say 10% of the total knob range), the sounds disappears completely.

I have cleaned the pots using a electronic cleaning fluid, yet no improvement is perceived.

Any clue of what can be affecting me? Cheap pots?

I don't have a bass amp yet. I'm using the mic port in the PC and the PC speakers - being careful with the levels. Yet I don't think that has any relation with the pot inability to control volume

I am enclosing a picture of the electronics.

Appreciate comments/help

[DickyC]

Have you ever tried your bass through an amp? It is more likely to do with the mic input on the PC rather than the bass. Trying it through a proper amp will prove it either way. If the pots are at fault then i would suggest changing them There not that expensive and it is easy to do.

[i2k]

Cleaning the pots will only remove/lower the scratching noise when the pot turns. What you talked about is bad taper which is common on low quality pot.

[Bassman822]

Replace all 3 pots with some CTS pots along with that cheap jack. You wont regret it

[ryback]

Originally Posted by DickyC

Have you ever tried your bass through an amp? It is more likely to do with the mic input on the PC rather than the bass. Trying it through a proper amp will prove it either way. If the pots are at fault then i would suggest changing them There not that expensive and it is easy to do.

DickyC, you were right. I bought a Peavey KB 60 (keyboard amp) and I can regulate volume now using the pots in the bass. It seems that the soundcard in the computer is not sensitive enough to use other signal than max.

Thanks!

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Bassman822

Replace all 3 pots with some CTS pots along with that cheap jack. You wont regret it

Yeah... this is exactly what will take your misery away. Cheapo electronics are just not worth wasting your time on. Replace it all.. just as Bassman suggested. Use good silver solder if you decide to do the upgrade youself.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by DickyC

Have you ever tried your bass through an amp? It is more likely to do with the mic input on the PC rather than the bass. Trying it through a proper amp will prove it either way. If the pots are at fault then i would suggest changing them There not that expensive and it is easy to do.

I agree. The impedance is probably too low on the mic input, so turning down the volume pot is causing the level to drop off suddenly.

I doubt it's the pots. New quality pots are always a good thing, but I don't think that's the issue here.