lobematt Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Hey there, I'm having some minor noise issues on my '94 Fortress. It seems to be the main volume pot has a crackle to it, it's also a pull pot and some times the volume is noticeably lower than it should be but a good wiggle of the pot puts it back to normal. It's my main studio bass though so I need the signal to be as clear as possible. Any tips on how to clean it up? I can post pics of the wiring if it will help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 A spray up with some proper switch cleaner can work wonders. Worth trying before going for replacement of the pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 What he said. switch cleaner works wonders but only if you can get it to the right place. Plus it will just move the dirt around so you'll probably have to get around to replacing the pot at some point. It may also be the spindle. I've just replaced a crackling/cutting out pot on a 1979 fender, the spindle was loose from years of wear, no amount of switch cleaner would repair that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 It's not loose so I'll give the cleaner a go, is this what I'm after? [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=switch+cleaner&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2398432801051196791&sa=X&ei=bkmQT7rOPIqz8QPnxZyoBA&ved=0CHcQ8wIwAw"]http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=switch+cleaner&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2398432801051196791&sa=X&ei=bkmQT7rOPIqz8QPnxZyoBA&ved=0CHcQ8wIwAw[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 [quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1334856128' post='1622502'] It's not loose so I'll give the cleaner a go, is this what I'm after? [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=switch+cleaner&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2398432801051196791&sa=X&ei=bkmQT7rOPIqz8QPnxZyoBA&ved=0CHcQ8wIwAw"]http://www.google.co...ved=0CHcQ8wIwAw[/url] [/quote] That'll probably do it, although I'd go for a can of Servisol because that's what I've always used. While you're in the guts of the guitar it's make sense to give all the pots a clean - if one of them has gunk in it then the others probably aren't far behind it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Found a can of WD-40, gave everything a blast with that. It's cleared it up a lot but there's still a small fizz with it. I think I can probably live with it though hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 There's a knack to it. You need to squirt the cleaner into the open 'slot' where the three contacts come out of the pot. That slot needs to be facing downwards so that gravity will allow the dirt somewhere to drain away with the cleaner. Kitchen roll shoved into the body cavity under the slot will stop the cleaner from spilling everywhere. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Tips from the top! Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Don't use WD40, its a bad switch cleaner because whilst it will loosen dirt and lubricate, it leaves a conductive and sticky coating behind, its like spray grease! A proper switch cleaner, with isopropyl alcohol in it will probably get rid of the fizz altogether and won't leave a sticky residue that clings to dirt and dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1335019915' post='1624816'] Don't use WD40, its a bad switch cleaner because whilst it will loosen dirt and lubricate, it leaves a conductive and sticky coating behind, its like spray grease! [/quote] It's not significantly conductive until you start messing about in the kV/kA arena which is kinda outside the confines of instrument repairs (regardless of how 'hot' people reckon their pickups are! ), but I totally agree that it's not ideal. By far the best product I've found is Servisol - comes in a red and white aerosol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I've always used this stuff:Works a treat,nice directional nozzle, leaves no residue and costs about £5. Squirt it into the pot through the slot and turn the knob back and forth a few times as it evaporates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Yeah I think I saw Jimi Hendrix using that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1335046442' post='1625271'] Yeah I think I saw Jimi Hendrix using that stuff [/quote] Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1335023152' post='1624901'] I've always used this stuff:Works a treat,nice directional nozzle, leaves no residue and costs about £5. Squirt it into the pot through the slot and turn the knob back and forth a few times as it evaporates. [/quote] So only about £2 dearer than using proper switch cleaner... bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) Actually it's £4.39 for six of those! (I haven't bought any for a while and quickly looked up the price but didn't look at the results that carefuly) [url="http://www.shortersclub.co.uk/products/29557-swan-lighter-fluid-extra-refined-100ml-pack-of-6.aspx"]http://www.shortersc...-pack-of-6.aspx[/url] I've always had it in the workshop for cleaning and de-greasing. So..one of those is £2.30 cheaper than propper switch clearner... bargain! Edited April 22, 2012 by Dom in Somerset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1335076792' post='1625369'] Actually it's £4.39 for six of those! (I haven't bought any for a while and quickly looked up the price but didn't look at the results that carefuly) [url="http://www.shortersclub.co.uk/products/29557-swan-lighter-fluid-extra-refined-100ml-pack-of-6.aspx"]http://www.shortersc...-pack-of-6.aspx[/url] I've always had it in the workshop for cleaning and de-greasing. So..one of those is £2.30 cheaper than propper switch clearner... bargain! [/quote] Ah I'm just a bit adverse to squirting petrol about since my ASBO... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1335102484' post='1625734'] Ah I'm just a bit adverse to squirting petrol about since my ASBO... [/quote] It's only a problem if the petrol is in a bottle with a burning rag in the top. But seriously ...I suspect that I've always used lighter fluid because you can get it from most news agents and petrol stations. I have also done the same job with meths, a bit more of a faff to apply it worked. Edited April 22, 2012 by Dom in Somerset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1335107821' post='1625814'] It's only a problem if the petrol is in a bottle with a burning rag in the top. [/quote] Coming soon: The use of semtex paste to enhance bottom end boom... [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1335107821' post='1625814'] But seriously ...I suspect that I've always used lighter fluid because you can get it from most news agents and petrol stations. I have also done the same job with meths, a bit more of a faff to apply it worked. [/quote] I think that's why WD40 gets used so often - I've even seen it in my local Tesco. Edited April 22, 2012 by icastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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