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How to fix a bent pot shaft?

GeneralElectric

GeneralElectric

Dec 26, 2007
10,314
1,375
36
NY, NY
#1
Recently got an MXR M87 compressor here on the TB classifieds. Unfortunately, I must have kicked it or something the wrong way because the attack knob's put shaft is now bent. Is there a way to fix this other than replacing the entire pot?

This is also the first pedal pot I've ever bent too. Go figure.
 
#4
If it functions, I'd just raise the knob up enough to clear the body and let it say crooked. Trying to unbend it while still mounted will probably shag something up. And if you have to remove it to unbend it, then just replace it.
 
#11
Well I have some unfortunate news.

I tried to use a steel flatedge to gently push the pot shaft back to true and it snapped clean off. Lucky me.

I then decided to undo the pedal casing by first removing the knobs and washers to find the part I need to replace. Its a PCB (which I have no experience repairing) and in their removal, I managed to break 2 out of the 5 knobs. Some CA glue will fix the knobs, but now I need to find a place to repair the pedal.

This is a pretty disappointing experience from MXR. I own their 10 band EQ which is pretty awesome and has held up to a year of abuse. This didn't last 10 days in my bedroom and its almost $200 new. I've already spent over $130 on this pedal so I'm looking for a place that does reasonably priced pedal repairs. Preferably in NYC so I can save money on shipping. I'd rather not spend so much on the repair that I might've bought one new.
 
#12
GeneralElectric said:
This is a pretty disappointing experience from MXR. I own their 10 band EQ which is pretty awesome and has held up to a year of abuse. This didn't last 10 days in my bedroom and its almost $200 new. I've already spent over $130 on this pedal so I'm looking for a place that does reasonably priced pedal repairs. Preferably in NYC so I can save money on shipping. I'd rather not spend so much on the repair that I might've bought one new.
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear about your pedal, but I don't think this is MXRs fault. I'm sure you bent the pot on accident, but I'm sure the way it was bent was probably not the way pots are attended to be used.
 
#13
phangtonpower said:
Sorry to hear about your pedal, but I don't think this is MXRs fault. I'm sure you bent the pot on accident, but I'm sure the way it was bent was probably not the way pots are attended to be used.
Click to expand...

I'm not blaming MXR for me breaking the pot shaft. I am, however, surprised that it bent very as quickly as it did with as minimal use. I've used the pedal maybe 4-5 times on a board in the 10 days I've owned it. Moreover I am disappointed that the knobs fell apart as I took them off. I can't say I'm not particularly ecstatic about a pedal that retails for almost $200 breaking so easily. I would be more pissed if I had bought this new, but then again, I'd have a warranty.

I usually take very good care of my gear and this is the first time I've bent a pot on a pedal, even pedals that I've used for years. If I did know the pot would be so hard to replace, I would've probably lived with the bent pot.
 
#17
Ooops - Sorry - General - I was going to tell you that it is nearly impossible to straighten a shaft that way. The material is very brittle, and just the way pots are made makes them very susceptible to breaking. The problem will be finding a pot with the same mechancal layout as the one you have.

I have 2 suggestions -
1. contact the manufacturer, see if it is possible to get another.
2. Find a smaller pot that you can install and connect to the PCB with wires.

Be careful de-soldering the old pot - maybe some de-soldering braid or a solder sucker will help. Perhaps a local repair shop could remove the pot for you.

FYI - PCB mounted pots are much more reliable and much less labor than hard wired pots - that is why they are used.

Good luck!
 
#19
S*%t happens. That's the way life is. Don't waste precious brain power and time being disappointed at MXR, or whoever.
S*%t happens. That's the way life is. I've busted more than my share of stuff, made it worse trying to fix it.
S*%t happens. That's the way life is.

Call MXR for a replacement. They may offer to repair it for a fee. In the event it is an unobtanium part, get the specs by measuring the present one with a multi-meter (pay attention to the sweep to see if it is linear or log taper), get another one from Mouser and mount it wherever.
 
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