Microphonic Pots

[L1zz1e]

Ive got a bit of a microphonic issue.. I think my pots are causing the problem. Is this something one can fix or is it better to replace them?

[escholl]

Potentiometers don't usually go microphonic -- what makes you think it's the pots?

[Alien]

Are they microphonic or just crackly? If they're crackly then head down to your local Maplins and pick up a can of switch cleaner. Squirt a bit into the pots, turn them from end to end a few times and you'll be sorted.

A

[Ou7shined]

If you get a click when you tap them (I presume that's what you are experiencing) then it is just a bad earth somewhere.

[thepurpleblob]

Pots are boring things - they make scratchy noises when you turn the knob or break altogether. That's your lot. It's something else!

[Subthumper]

[quote name='L1zz1e' post='881709' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:48 AM']Ive got a bit of a microphonic issue.. I think my pots are causing the problem. Is this something one can fix or is it better to replace them?[/quote]

Hi it could be the capacitor on the tone pot-I had the same problem on my Tokai Jazz. Open up the control cavity and plug the bass in to the amp at a resonable volume then tap the capacitor with the end of a biro or something similar and listen for the tapping noise coming out of the speaker. If it goes ping ping or similar then its probably the cap. If so get it replaced. If the pots are crackly get some deox-it(expensive) or Peavey funk out(cheaper) and spray them out. Maplins switch cleaner is a solvent and could damage the track in the pot. It also disolves the grease in there and makes the pots go all loose feeling. If you getting squeeling at high volume especially if using distortion or overdrive you could have microphonic pickups.
Good luck cheers Just

[7string]

I wrote a thread on cleaning pots [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85931"]here[/url]

Hope it helps.

[SS73]

Pot's on what?.

If its a valve amp then its the Pre valves, pull them out and clean the pins.

If its a Bass, its possibly the pup that has gone microphonic.