scratchy GK 700 RB II

[B-string]

Invalid Link Removed the company is Farnell element14 | Electronic Component Distributors outside the US and you can chose your country.

 

[JohnPativens]

Invalid Link Removed the company is Farnell element14 | Electronic Component Distributors outside the US and you can chose your country.

The European site doesn't have the Caig products. It has one of the three I linked above though.
I just searched for the RidOx, we don't have that either.
I guess I'll try with one of those three products I can find here, on a spare pot first, to see if it gets damaged.
Thanks B-string, you've been very helpful!

 

[B-string]

I would say the R11 would be the choice.

 

[JohnPativens]

I would say the R11 would be the choice.

It should, at least by their advertisment!

 

[B-string]

They seem to have it in liquid only as R-10 but only by the liter? That might be expensive!

 

[JohnPativens]

It says ml200 on the left bottom of the page

 

[agedhorse]

Dry contact cleaner? What is that???

The KOK is part of what used to be CRC here in the states, I wouldn't recommend any of those products as all I have seen are damaging.

The R-11 is the only thing that MIGHT work. So much of the spray cleaners further damage pots that it's hard to recommend anything except DeOxit.

 

[JohnPativens]

Dry Contact cleaner? What is that??

Invalid Link Removed

This is what I used on a volume pot. It washed away the internal lubricant, and didn't solve any false contact nor scratchy noises.
I guess the pot had worn carbon contact so I replaced it.
Is the loosiness of the rotation that I'd rather to avoid.

The KOK is part of what used to be CRC here in the states, I wouldn't recommend any of those products as all I have seen are damaging.

The R-11 is the only thing that MIGHT work. So much of the spray cleaners further damage pots that it's hard to recommend anything except DeOxit.

Ok. Maybe I'll try the R11 on a spare pot, to see how it goes.
Have you seen that N77 also? I read the Graphite magically restores potentiometers better than contact cleaners.

 

[B-string]

Graphite is conductive which will all too likely change the resistance of a pot.

 

[JohnPativens]

Graphite is conductive which will all too likely will change the resistance of a pot.

That's true.
Anyway I found where to get the Caig products online in Europe.. well.. they're freaking expensive!

 

[B-string]

That's true.
Anyway I found where to get the Caig products online in Europe.. well.. they're freaking expensive!

Yes they are, amp techs would not use that stuff if it was not as good as it is. It only takes a little bit to do the job. It is one of those costs that customers never see when you work on equipment.

 

[agedhorse]

Do not use the graphite lube, totally the wrong product for pots. If it's recommended for pots, it deserves at least a single facepalm.

Caig DeOxit product works, and it works well, and done right does not damage the pot. Just a TINY amount is necessary.

 

[JohnPativens]

Thanks for your advice guys!

How does Deoxit work anyway? I mean, you need to apply both Powerboost and Faderlube? Or just the latter on pots?

And which is the correct one, 5% or 100% solution?

 

[agedhorse]

I prefer the D5%. Not fader lube.

 

[B-string]

Faderlube for (slide) faders. D5 for pots.

 

[JohnPativens]

I see they advertise Faderlube for pots, D5 for generic contact cleaning.
Anyway it sounds like both would work.
The worst experience for me with CRC and other cleaners/lubricants, is the way they totally change the rotating or sliding feel on pots/sliders. Does Deoxit preserve it?

 

[agedhorse]

Faderlube should not be used on pots, marketing guys be damned

Small amount of DeOxit D5 is no problem with rotation, it works totally differently than "contact cleaners".

 

[5StringPocket]

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Steve Dallman]

Pots have a proprietary thick grease in the shaft/collar and some cleaners will dilute it, and the wrong cleaner might harden the grease. Replace the pot.

I had a horn amp problem in my 1001RB and GK couldn't detect a problem.

The problem was a coupling cap in front of the horn amp. It was failing and wouldn't pass anything until around 10k. I found it once GK said I could work on the amp and not lose the warranty.

The horn amp uses an inexpensive 58 watt RMS power amp chip, LM3886 if I remember right. One would have to determine if the problem was in the horn amp, and/or active crossover, or if the scratchy problem is just more audible through the horn amp.

Finding the problem will take a logical plan to diagnose the amp. Stabbing at things willy-nilly isn't a good plan.

 

[JohnPativens]

Pots have a proprietary thick grease in the shaft/collar and some cleaners will dilute it, and the wrong cleaner might harden the grease. Replace the pot.

That's an easy fix on an instrument. But, I'd rather to avoid that on my GK amp. Don't wanna replace 8/10 scratchy pots.