You can get some spray potentiometer (POT} cleaner at Radio shack and follow the directions.
Here are a few links that I've collected along the way that I've found enlightening and hope you will as well.
Getting the most out of TB
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Read as many of the FAQ's as you can. Lots of good info there.
If you haven't already, fill out your "User Profile", especially the equipment you own. Many TB'rs will check out your equipment list and music influences before posting an answer to a thread you create.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_faq_slang Slang/abbreviations, forum usage, TB maint., posting. Note: On TB, GAS means Gear Aquisition Syndrome.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034 TB rules
Searching TB
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So many topics have already been covered on TB, that it is always suggested that you try a search before you create a new thread. The internal search feature of TB is limited to words 3 characters or more. There is always the Google search option that utilizes Google search features. One of the best ways to search Talkbass.com is to use Google's Advanced Search parameters. Putting the year in your search terms is one way to limit the number of responses to a search. You can check it out at Google.com.
Subscribing to TB threads
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Note: in your "MyTalkBass" control panel, there is a menu selection "Edit Options". When you click on "Edit Options", one of the choices is for "Default Thread Subscription Mode".
I find it usefull to choose "Daily email notification" mode. What this does is to send you an email for each thread you post a reply to so you can follow subsequent replies without having to log on to TB. You can susbscribe to individual threads manually as you come across info that interests you but doing it manually takes time.
For threads that interest you for which you don't want to post a reply, post a reply with "subscribed" in the reply box. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Receiving email notification of Private Messages
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Also within the "Edit Options" page, you can setup TB to send you an email when you receive a Private Message (PM). This is very helpful if you don't log on regularly. I've received replies to a PM I sent months later just because of this situation.
Must reads:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 If I only knew then
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481465 Best musical advice
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489818 Things every bassist should know
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79878 Beginners common mistakes/where to start
http://www.google.com/custom?num=10...+2008&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com First bass advice
Learning stuff
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170 How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=80043 How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125536 Creating bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491679 Creating bass lines - Target Approach
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479401 Playing behind/ahead of the beat
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479642 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6521582 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419687 Improve site reading
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485421 Read bass clef
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpo...53&postcount=4 Using modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Practicality of using modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473968 learning modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99676 Intro to scale and chord theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 Learning Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9859 Theory Book Links
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482544 TB Gen. Instruction Theory links list
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88294 Learning to play jazz
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486412 Jazz Scales
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142112 Theory (from the DB side of TB)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481448 Blues Turn arounds
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdiction...ogression.html Blues Progressions explained with samples
Software for transcribing/slowing down songs/Looping software/metronome,etc.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23303
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269168
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491293
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479377
Books and instructional materials
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http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484028 Looking for the Bass "Bible"
http://playbassnow.com/recommended-learning-materials/
College music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpo...9&postcount=10 So you want to be a music major in college
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314342 Solfege
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/ Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary
Funk it up
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494100 Funk, groove and R&B bass players
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=495628 Funk 101
Band stuff:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=496467 Advertising yourself.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497571 Covers vs. Originals
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493356 Playing in a 3 piece
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483181 How "good" do you have to be to play in a band?
Starting/managing a band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494723 Starting a cover band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492200 Starting a new band- how to audition
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477182 Auditioning a new member for your band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466534 Auditioning: red flag stories
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479102 Running a band: democracy or dictatorship
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486490 How to fire a band member
Band Reheasal/Gigs
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484615 Rehearsal tips
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492051 Rehearsal efficiency
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497067 How often to rehearse?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484065 To noodle or not to noodle?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481548 Being asked to turn down the volume
Guitards '-)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=490379 Guitar players switching to bass
Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference(dictionary).
http://www.good-ear.com/
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Test your ear
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Xlnt visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point type lessons), ear trainer, chord calculator, more
Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html
Free online lessons
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493881 Dman had videos
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353486 Who's the best youtube bass teacher?
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.activebass.com/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363909 with MarlowDK
Other bass forums
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113925
http://basschat.co.uk
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391461
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Teaching bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442966
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475615
Finding a bass instructor
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455442
This is a very helpful program for learning the notes on the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...cdlPid=1509909
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper
Band names
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140446 Best/worst real band names
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280571 Infamouse band name thread
http://www.bandnamemaker.com/
http://www.1728.com/bandname.htm
Cool rigs, equipment and info
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450492 Light weight cabs,amps, combos
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491220 Happy with my rig.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432560 Happy with my rig
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...76#post5176976 Ulitmate fantasy rig
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237521 Mini rigs of doom
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483338 Rigs of doom
Building Stuff
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494366 cabs
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6634274 light weight cab
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55969 cab dolly
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484051 cab dolly
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...=480666&page=1 cab dolly
Accessories
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480686 Lights for your fretboard.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484653 Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Upgrading
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489244 Upgrade bass or amp first?
Aging guitars/basses
http://www.grguitars.com/pick guards.html
http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5bass.htm
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_faq_slang http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034
For fun
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 Gadgets and Gizmos
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481465 Tips for living
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489818 Ways to save money
Learning Live Sound mixing
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79878
