Scratchy, Crackling Pots- Ground Problem?

[CapnSev]

Here's the deal:

My P bass has been giving me some issues lately, namley the pots scratch when turned, especially the tone pot. I recently re-wired it back to passive after having a preamp in it, and I did it the right way with brand new pots, and I can't figure out what's wrong.

The crazy thing it that when I had it passive before the preamp, it did the same thing. It even did it a little when I had the preamp installed.

I have copper foil underneath the pickguard, so I know that's not the problem. I also have the backs of the pots star-grounded to the ground on the output jack.

The pots are brand spanking new, so I know they're not dirty or worn out.

Am I missing something? Help me out here.

 

[butchblack]

I would start by shooting the pots with some contact cleaner, even if they are new. Grounding or shielding issues shouldn't cause scratchy pots.

 

[CapnSev]

I would start by shooting the pots with some contact cleaner, even if they are new. Grounding or shielding issues shouldn't cause scratchy pots.

Forgive me, but I've never used any sort of contact cleaner before. Where can I but that, and where do I spray it? Its worth a shot at least.

 

[butchblack]

You should be able to get some at any good electronics supply store. Radio shack in a pinch maybe. Squirt it where it will get inside the pot, the opening where the contacts come out would be good. do a quick burst, rotate the pot a few times repeat 2-3X per pot.

 

[CapnSev]

I'll head to RadioShack tomorrow I guess, and see what I can find. I swear I have the same problem every time I wire something up though. Maybe I'm getting the pot too hot with the soldering iron, I don't know.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I was going to suggest that very thing. You might be getting the pot too hot and damaging the tracks.

 

[CapnSev]

I was going to suggest that very thing. You might be getting the pot too hot and damaging the tracks.

Yeah, I really don't want to order another pot, the scratching really isn't that bad, but I just might because its just scratchy enough to bug me.

 

[Hawkbone]

De-oxit is a fantastic pot cleaner, worth some effort to find. The tech I use swears by it.

 

[boynamedsuse]

CAIG DeoxIT FaderLube is the way to go for cleaning up a pot. Follow the directions on the can (or ask and I will give you some details).
Amazon.com: CAIG DeoxIT FaderLube Lubricant 5 oz.: Musical Instruments

Of course, with a brand new pot, who knows what results you will see. I can attest 100% that it is amazing for use on old dirty / corroded pots.

 

[CapnSev]

Alright, so contact cleaner didn't work, in fact, I swear the volume pot is scratchier now. I'm getting some new pots, and maybe a smaller soldering iron. This is starting to really piss me off.