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Need to replace Pot(s)

FirewalZ

FirewalZ

Aug 14, 2014
3,766
7,359
S.E. Michigan
#1
I have a 77 Jazz, lots of mojo and some existing mods. Lately the tone pot will roll the tone up and down by itself, also the volume pots have been acting up as well. They are original and the bass has been played fairly consistently over the years, I assuming they are simply worn out and need to be replaced. Any good recommendations? I was thinking:
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#2
FirewalZ said:
I have a 77 Jazz, lots of mojo and some existing mods. Lately the tone pot will roll the tone up and down by itself, also the volume pots have been acting up as well. They are original and the bass has been played fairly consistently over the years, I assuming they are simply worn out and need to be replaced. Any good recommendations? I was thinking:
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Click to expand...
Yes, that consists of good parts, however are your pot shafts split or solid?
 
#6
The posts matter because they require different kinds of knobs. Knobs for split-shafts just push on; knobs for solid shafts have a set screw to hold them in place.

Is your only problem that the knobs spin too freely -- that is, they work fine electronically? If so, you might be able to fix the problem simply by putting some kind of soft washers under the knobs to hold them in place and provide a little resistance when you turn them. That would be way easier (and cheaper) than replacing them.
 
#7
I assuming they are simply worn out and need to be replaced.
Click to expand...

You can only assume this after using contact cleaner, then reheating/reflowing solder joints if the circuit is still playing up. (Use heatsink clips when you do this.)

It's very common to come across guitars, amps, PAs etc from the 70's and 80's that have all original jacks switches and pots that function perfectly.

In fact I own a few things like this myself.
 
#8
Lobster11 said:
The posts matter because they require different kinds of knobs. Knobs for split-shafts just push on; knobs for solid shafts have a set screw to hold them in place.

Is your only problem that the knobs spin too freely -- that is, they work fine electronically? If so, you might be able to fix the problem simply by putting some kind of soft washers under the knobs to hold them in place and provide a little resistance when you turn them. That would be way easier (and cheaper) than replacing them.
Click to expand...
No, the tone will change by itself. It will roll up and down and fluctuate even though im not touching it. The volume knobs will hum and if i press down lightly on top of the knob it stops. As mentioned, the bass has been heavily played and it would not surprise me at all that they are worn out afer almost 40 years:).
 
#9
FirewalZ said:
No, the tone will change by itself. It will roll up and down and fluctuate even though im not touching it. The volume knobs will hum and if i press down lightly on top of the knob it stops. As mentioned, the bass has been heavily played and it would not surprise me at all that they are worn out afer almost 40 years:).
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I see. Never mind then. I just happened to have remembered a recent thread in which someone wanted to replace pots because they spun too freely, and the washer thing was suggested as a cheap and easy solution. Too bad your problem isn't so simple, huh?

Still, given your detailed description of the problem, maybe someone with electronics expertise will have a simpler solution than replacing the pots. For example, maybe the symptoms you described can be fixed by re-soldering a particular connection or something. Good luck with it.
 
#10
That is a steep price. I'm sure you can find decent pots (CTS, Bournes, etc) for a lot less. Heck, I've used thousands of cheaper Alpha pots with no problems. CTS would be the most desirable in a Fender. Your cap should be OK. An Orange Drop won't sound or work any different. The type of wire is a cosmetic thing. For a Fender, the cloth wire looks nicer and closer to stock.

But, it's a one time purchase. You won't be replacing them again. Make sure you have the right shaft for the knobs you will be using. If you have solid shafts and set screw knobs, then you need solid shafts, not split/splined.
 
#11
FirewalZ said:
No, the tone will change by itself. It will roll up and down and fluctuate even though im not touching it. The volume knobs will hum and if i press down lightly on top of the knob it stops. As mentioned, the bass has been heavily played and it would not surprise me at all that they are worn out afer almost 40 years:).
Click to expand...
have you checked the wiring against original schematics and make sure all the grounds are being made? If the wiring is stranded, you might be holding on by a single strand...no pun intended. also, pots aren't sealed right? they collect dust. A can of computer duster will extend the life. you probly already tried it so...just sayin. make sure the stranded wiring is landed where they're supposed to be landed and not sticking out like a bad ear hair.
 

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