My new CTS pots - I hate them!

[boondox]

Did they turn that difficult before you installed them?

Yes, they did. And for those that keep mentioning the overheating from the solder iron... you are wrong. Nothing to do with my problem.

the naphtha will dissolve the wax they're packed with, loosening them up, which the caig just won't do. i'd follow that with the caig faderlube, though, since the naphtha washes away everything.

Thanks Walter. Is this the stuff?

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How do you get it inside the pot casings? A syringe maybe? If I'm going to have to desolder the wires and remove them I might as well try a different type of pot.

You are a dead on with the "wax" though. I'm certain that is what is causing the problem.


~

 

[walterw]

just buy it at the hardware store. pour a capful into the open slot in the pot, spin the knob back and forth, and you'll feel it loosen right up. shake out the excess, spray in a little faderlube, and you're there.

keep the can for cleaning/de-greasing/de-gumming all sorts of things. it's safe on guitar finishes.

 

[boondox]

Thank you very much for the help. I'll let you know if it works for me.

 

[GlennW]

just buy it at the hardware store. pour a capful into the open slot in the pot, spin the knob back and forth, and you'll feel it loosen right up. shake out the excess, spray in a little faderlube, and you're there.

keep the can for cleaning/de-greasing/de-gumming all sorts of things. it's safe on guitar finishes.

I just used Ronson lighter fluid on a couple and it worked very well. I did it twice to each pot and followed up with Caig MCL.

Thanks a lot.

 

[BassDepot]

make sure the knobs are not pushed down so far that they are rubbing on the nut or washer. sounds simple but it fooled me after a new pot install.

+1

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Does anyone know if these are real CTS pots? I don't have them with me now, but I ordered them from this site and plan on using them for my P bass.

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[Craig_S]

You are a dead on with the "wax" though. I'm certain that is what is causing the problem.

Wax inside the pot casing? Must be that fancy, non slip, conductive wax.

 

[megadan]

MY CTS pots are hard to turn too. And they don't fit any knobs I have. AND they're butts are too big to fit in the control cavity of my jazz properly! Rrr. It's all about the tone.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Well the tone shouldnt change unless there was a problem with the old pots (or the new)

CTS are generally a slightly nicer build quality (heavier), have a reputation for lasting longer and might (cant remember tho) have a tighter tolerance (only thing which will influence the tone).

I like Alpha's, most of the work I have done has been on my cheaper asian built instruments, so the Alphas (being Imperial) fit well, never had a problem with them, they are cheaper too. Used CTS in an SG, certainly no noticable difference.

 

[ric426]

FWIW, I just received some cheap Bourns pots from Mouser and they're incredibly stiff too. They also look like pretty cheap quality, but for $1.70 each I didn't have high expectations. I bought these just to see if I like linear pots in my basses, so if I decide to make the change permanently I'll get some quality pots.

 

[Mrdak]

Order the CTS ones without the split shaft. They're better ....

 

[Showdown]

the naphtha will dissolve the wax they're packed with, loosening them up, which the caig just won't do. i'd follow that with the caig faderlube, though, since the naphtha washes away everything.

Or use a good quality contact cleaner with lube. Never use the contact cleaner without lube, or just naptha, because the pots need to be lubricated or they will get scratchy.