Scratchy Volume Pot

[BassDemon]

The volume pot on my Modulus Quantum has started to be become very scratchy.

 

By this I mean that when you adjust it it makes a sound like someone is pulling the lead in an out of the bass.

 

It also sometimes causes the sound to drop out totally and if you keep twidling the pot it will come back, sometimes at low volume or distorted.

 

I have fitted new batteries and the problem is still there.

 

Any suggestions ?

[fretless]

a little DeOxit should fix it

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429162/

[BassDemon]

Thanks - I tried a bit of CO contact cleaner (looks like the same kinda stuff) in the input jack in case that was the problem

 

when I get home I'll take off the control cover and give things a cleaning.

 

I guess it's not bad for a 6 year old bass that's had a lot of playing time.

[Fran da Man]

You sprayed contact cleaner in your input jack because your volume pot is scratchy...ummm OK...

 

 

 

 

Deoxit is different...http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.12/category.14/ctype.KB/it.I/id.300/KB.215/.f

[pbassforever]

be careful what you spray in there, a lot of contact cleaners will dissolve the grease inside them which keeps them lubricated and moving properly. you could do more damage than good.

[Darkstorm]

Those spray in cleaners for pots just temporarilly eliminate the scratchyness. Time to replace the pot.

[MacGarnicle]

if you're a tight-arse you can take out the pot, put it in a plastic jar of with some shellite and shake it for a minute to remove the rubbish.

 

That doesn't always work and it sucks un-soldering, cleaning, re-soldering then un-soldering when it's still scratchy.

 

 

Getting a new pot will probably save you the most stuffing around.

[hawkhuff]

If you wish to wait to replace the pot here is what I have done and it seems to work pretty well. I believe I received this advice from someone here at HCBF.

 

Spray the pots as described previously but at the same time turn the knob back and forth a few dozen times. Then before you plug into the amp, do the turn back and forth a few times. It's a temporary fix but it works. You won't have the scratchiness.

 

Eventually you will need to replace the pot.

[KeroseneTrewthe]

Pots are probably as cheap as Deoxit.

 

Just replace it. Save a headache down the road.

[BassDemon]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

The reason I tried the input jack is that sometime the sound would just drop out totally - without touching the volume pot.

 

I checked the wiring and everything seems OK.

 

I will get a replacement pot fitted at the weekend and see if that fixes it.

[hawkhuff]

By the way, since we're discussing pots. I am wondering.

 

Are there different quality pots out there? If so, who makes them?

[bassthumpintwin]

 

Originally posted by hawkhuff By the way, since we're discussing pots. I am wondering. Are there different quality pots out there? If so, who makes them?

 

 

there are different quality pots.... I cant think of any brands off hand... and I cant really tell you wich are best... with something like that, im thinking that the more you pay the more you get (generally).... I'm not sure that theres enough difference btn. certain brands of pots that I would choose one over another for something like a bass..... mostly I just prefer the ones with metal parts as opposed to plastic..... also "fit" is a factor, as they make different shapes and sizes.....

[Mudbass]

 

Originally posted by Darkstorm Those spray in cleaners for pots just temporarilly eliminate the scratchyness. Time to replace the pot.

 

 

+1

 

Most pots made these days are sealed up tight so there's no effecient way to cleaner in there. Time to replace the pot.