my knobs are scratchin

[bubinga5]

hi..im getting scratchy noises coming from my U Retro when i turn the dials...any ideas why this is? is it the single coils?

[franzbassist]

You probably have a bit of dirt in the pot. A quick squirt of contact cleaner should sort it.

Useful comments from the Seymour Duncan FAQ:

Here's a quick test to determine if your potentiometers need to be replaced or just cleaned. With the guitar plugged in, try turning the scratchy pot back and forth quickly a few times. If the scratchiness starts to lessen, then the pot needs cleaning. If the scratchy sound doesn't go away or sounds more like a "click," then the pot needs to be replaced.

To clean dirty pots, you'll need a spray cleaner or lubricant commonly available at any electronics parts store. With the guitar unplugged and the pots exposed, give the pot one shot of spray through the opening in the back of the cover that protects the pot. The access hole is small, but by using the tube supplied with the spray can, the spray will reach inside the pot. One shot should suffice. Let it set for about 10 seconds and hen rotate the pot back and forth quickly. Plug the guitar back in and give it a test. The noise should be gone or reduced significantly. If there is still some scratchiness, unplug the guitar and repeat the process one more time. If the scratchy sound doesn't go away at this point, it's probably a bad pot and it'll need to be replaced. Just a note of caution -- before you spray anything in or around your guitar, protect the paint job by putting a towel or old T-shirt around the body.

[bubinga5]

thanks bro..does it have to be electrical cleaner....were not talking WD40 are we

Edited July 19, 2010 by bubinga5

[franzbassist]

[quote name='bubinga5' post='899121' date='Jul 19 2010, 04:42 PM']thanks vro..does it have to be electrical cleaner....were not talking WD40 are we[/quote]

Correct, you want something like Servisol Super 10.

[franzbassist]

And [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAIG-DEOXIT-CONTACT-CLEANER-5-SPRAY-5-OZ-BRAND-NEW-/170515835576?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item27b3892ab8"]this[/url] is meant to be the business.

[bubinga5]

[quote name='walbassist' post='899129' date='Jul 19 2010, 04:47 PM']And [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAIG-DEOXIT-CONTACT-CLEANER-5-SPRAY-5-OZ-BRAND-NEW-/170515835576?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item27b3892ab8"]this[/url] is meant to be the business.[/quote]
ok thanks WB...where exactly do i spray it..the cavity side is a PCB board...i cant get to the actual pots like say on a jazz bass.does it matter

[Subthumper]

+1 on the De-oxit..best stuff I've ever used on guitars, amps and anything else. Well worth the extra money. Peavey Funk Out is also very good as it contains the same stuff.
Cheers Just

[escholl]

[quote name='bubinga5' post='899294' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:20 PM']ok thanks WB...where exactly do i spray it..the cavity side is a PCB board...i cant get to the actual pots like say on a jazz bass.does it matter[/quote]

is there no way to remove the board?

[franzbassist]

Hmm, I think I'd email East direct at [email protected] or call on 01869 343112 to be on the safe side.

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='bubinga5' post='899294' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:20 PM']ok thanks WB...where exactly do i spray it..the cavity side is a PCB board...i cant get to the actual pots like say on a jazz bass.does it matter[/quote]

I bought a can of Servisol from Maplins that came with a thin tube attachment that gets into small gaps.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Big_Stu