Crackly pots on 70s P-bass - quick fix or luthier job?

[Clarky]

In addition to needing some replacement bridge parts (see separate thread), the other minor issue with my newly-acquired 72 P bass is crackly pots. Is there a quick fix for this or would I need to take the bass to The Gallery (or similar luthier)?

To be clear, the pots only crackle when turning the volume or tone knobs, ie, if you leave them set and don't touch them they are fine. For me, this is a trivial issue as I never adjust volume or tone knobs when playing live but I would nevertheless prefer that they were silent in case I do need to make adjustments.

Thx again guys (and gals)

Edited November 30, 2009 by Clarky

[Toasted]

It's normal for pots that haven't been used a lot. You might be able to fix it by moving the pot fully through it's rotation backwards and forwards a few times - failing that you'll be able to clean it using pot cleaner sprayed into the access hole.


. . . failing that you could spend £225 on some new ones ;-) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Telecaster-pots-and-harness-1965_W0QQitemZ250539473069QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a5550f8ad"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Tel...=item3a5550f8ad[/url]

[Clarky]

[quote name='Toasted' post='669783' date='Nov 30 2009, 09:37 AM']It's normal for pots that haven't been used a lot. You might be able to fix it by moving the pot fully through it's rotation backwards and forwards a few times - failing that you'll be able to clean it using pot cleaner sprayed into the access hole.


. . . failing that you could spend £225 on some new ones ;-) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Telecaster-pots-and-harness-1965_W0QQitemZ250539473069QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a5550f8ad"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Tel...=item3a5550f8ad[/url][/quote]
Option 3 is a touch costly

Will try method 1 and, failing that, method 2. Thanks Joe

[Mr.T]

Hi Clarky,

A can of Servisol should sort your problem.
It's only a few quid on E-Bay.

[Beedster]

Leave it, a 70's Precision should have crackly pots

[Clarky]

[quote name='Beedster' post='669812' date='Nov 30 2009, 10:16 AM']Leave it, a 70's Precision should have crackly pots [/quote]
The words of Chris "I remember when we had jumpers for goalposts" Beedster

Thank you all for advice, I have ordered a can of Servisol 10 switch/contact cleaner spray from eBay (£4 is a lot cheaper than The Gallery!)

[mrcrow]

as the guys say...just use cleaner...it doesnt have to be from 1970...and the pots dont know that anyway

i have got rid of crackle by turning up and down a few times...

if you need new pots..whots your take on joe bloggs swap ins?...they do the job ok and are up to date with track materials and windings...

[SS73]

Clarky, you could do what Ive just done and that's to buy two new CTS pots and a new orange drop cap ( on ebay 3.95 and 99p) and take the pot apart and replace the track only, I'll do a thread on it sometime soon.

[4 candles]

is wd40 suitable?

[hillbilly deluxe]

It will do the job,but switch cleaner is better.

[b]failing that you could spend £225 on some new ones[/b] ;-) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Tel...=item3a5550f8ad"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Tel...=item3a5550f8ad[/url]

BTW i looked at his other items is he insane ? or am i that far out of touch ?

Edited December 7, 2009 by hillbilly deluxe

[BigRedX]

WD40 will fix the problem in the short term, but in the long term will make it worse.

Use switch cleaner it's the proper solution for the job.

[stevebasshead]

Be aware there's different types of switch cleaner, ideally you want the type that lubricates too otherwise the issue will come back again.