Noisy/inconsistent tone pot

[jeffbrown]

My P-clone (Epiphone) has a noisy and sometimes intermittent tone pot. I don't *think* its the connection, just over time, its gotten dirty. Would a blast of cleaner solve this problem? The knob has no setscrew so unless I pull it off forcefully - an option I'm uncomfortable with - should I just aim the cleaner at the post, or take off the whole guard to get at the innards?

I've gotta tell you, I'm new to guitar repair, and the thought of taking the guard off is daunting, to say the least. The thought of stripping the screw holes in the wood body during reassembly is a scary thought. (At least, I think they go into the wood? See, I don't know....) Is this a relatively easy fix for a noob?

I would definitely like to learn how to do my own adjustments, repairs, etc., and I've been reading this forum for a while now. This particular problem seems like it could be a good way to introduce myself to the insides of my instruments. However, I really don't want to bugger up my bass, and then have to take it to the shop for them to fix my blunders. I can take the blow to my pride, but not necessarily to my wallet.

Should I go for it?

[ctmullins]

If the knob has no setscrew, then you can just pull it straight off of the shaft, with no damage inflicted. You can then shoot some cleaner at the point where the knurled section enters the threaded section.

To remove the pickguard, remove the screws holding it to the body (typically around the perimeter). When re-installing, just remember not to tighten them more than necessary. They aren't particularly stressed, so they don't need to be super-tight to do their job.

[Dirk Diggler]

To clean the pot properly you need to get inside, there is a small slot or opening usually on the back of the pot, that's the only real way to clean out the pot. I use a contact/controller cleaner.
Oh yeah make sure you're using a decent screw driver to take the pickguard off, it's really not tough, take your time. If you don't feel comfortable at all, take it to someone, but it's not that scary inside.
Good luck,
Dirk

[automan]

I find that with a truly intermittent pot the problem is usually that the nut holding the pot has come loose a bit letting the pot spin . One lugs on the pot touch the wall of the control cavity which is usually painted with shielding paint thus grounding out the signal.

[jeffbrown]

>To remove the pickguard, remove the screws holding it to the body (typically around the perimeter). When re-installing, just remember not to tighten them more than necessary. They aren't particularly stressed, so they don't need to be super-tight to do their job.<

Thanks, ct. In other circles, I'm jokingly known as Mr. Torque, so I really will need to watch myself on this.

I'll try to ease the knob off. If its too resistant, I'll formulate a plan B.

Thanks all so far! Still open to more solutions/answers - please keep 'em coming.

[lethargytartare]

Often this will work: dial it "up" and "down" (back and forth, whatever) briskly many times -- you can also focus the dialing over sections that are particularly noisy. This assumes that the pot is securely in place. What you're doing is rubbing the contact point/wiper against the carbon/contact disk really fast, which can clean off corrosion and improve the electrical contact. Sounds silly, but works. It's always my first attempt to get rid of static in a pot, and has worked for me a hundred times or more (in everything: guitars, stereos, walkmen, headphones with vol controls).