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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Volume pot stuck What to do?

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Real '65 Mustang has dial stuck. Should I pour Liquid Wrench all over it or take it to a tech or what? Swapping it out is not an answer, of course.

www.jetpackband.com
https://www.facebook.com/JetpackTheBand

Liquid Wrench???

Yeah...you better just take it to a tech!!!

If you wanted to be a little more scientific I would suggest you remove the pickguard for access to the pot and try some electrical contact cleaner/lubricant available at Radio Shack. Spray directly into the pot, let soak a few minutes and try turning again. Unless the pot is completely fried, a couple shots should loosen it up.

Good Luck

I have no idea what liquid wrench is. It may need a lubricant or some de-oxit. Try the de-oxit first. And then keep turning it while you apply it.

Replacing it should be a valid answer. Even if you get the pot working again. You don't want it to happen again to the point where it may be damaged for good this time. This happened to one of my Jazzmasters. I just swapped the pot and I'll put the real one back in when it comes time to sale the guitar.

I second the pot cleaner from Radio shack idea.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Liquid Wrench is for rusty muffler bolts...etc.

And it would probably loosen up that stuck pot too.....But, something like De-oxit or Radio Shack stuff is the way to go.

You might try taking the knob off, shoot some spray into the pot, and turn the shaft with pliers gently. If that doesn't work, then Jake is right...the thing may be shot. Just change it and save the original in a little plastic bag somewhere.

i have a stacked pot in an old danelectro with a very limited range of motion for the tone control. i've been putting up with it but now want to repair it. in my research i came across this website that covers some of the mechanics of how pots work. in my case i surmise the plastic knob is caught between the stops instead of outside the stops (i.e. assembled wrong). maybe it will give you some ideas.

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/potsecrets/potscret.htm

I've got no idea why swapping it out isn't acceptable. It's likely the correct solution.

Hit it with some contact cleaner and let it soak for a bit. Lighter fluid might work if it's beer or something hardened under the knob.


Trevor von Drat

http://www.myspace.com/vondrats

I just like having one older guitar all original and this was it. Oh well. Replacing the pot seems to be the way to go now. I took the advice way above and went to the Shack and bought the cleaner. Worked it in there after removing the knob plate and slowly moved the dial back and forth. It is loose, but has no function on the volume anymore. While I am at it, I should replace the trem springs too. Any thoughts who has good ones for it?

www.jetpackband.com
https://www.facebook.com/JetpackTheBand

"All original" + "non-working" = "wall-hanger"

-- Woody

It takes a lot of mussel memory to avoid clams.

I love the vintage guitar buyer mentality...replace nothing at all costs!!

You don't see people with classic cars refusing to change the brake pads or have the rotors resurfaced due to not wanting to devalue them! I don't see why people are afraid to replace caps in an amp, get a fret job, or replace an input jack or pot assuming they actually want to PLAY the instruments ?? If you just bought it for an investment there are better ways to spend your money...although with the current economy guitars aren't too bad!

www.apollo4.com

Didn't I write that I AM going to replace it? I think it says that very clearly. And previously, I said swapping it out was not an option as I thought it was just stuck, not broken, as that would be overkill because I thought it could easily be loosened. I just asked what to spray on there. Now that it is loose but I know it still doesn't work it will be replaced. That and I said I want to replace the trem springs too. Pretty far away from collector mentality.

www.jetpackband.com
https://www.facebook.com/JetpackTheBand

SURFmole
I love the vintage guitar buyer mentality...replace nothing at all costs!!

The vintage organ collectors can be worse. I've seen plenty of examples, on the HamTech (Hammond Technical) e-mail list of one thinking that only Hammond Tone Wheel Generator oil should be used in their Hammond tone wheel generators. There are a number of Hammond technicians, some having 30+ years of experience, telling them "go buy Singer sewing machine/light machine oil, and pay way less than what the Hammond branded stuff goes for on sleazeBay." But do they listen? NOOOOooooo! I paid (US) $2.75 for a 4 ounce (118 ml) bottle of Singer Machine Oil. If it said Hammond on the bottle, I think triple or quadruple that price would be a conservative estimate for the sleazeBay market.

So one of these days, just so y'all know, whenever I get myself motivated to actually record my original instrumental creations, it's likely there could be a Hammond organ - an M2 spinet, but oh well - in the mix.

Matt

Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

Jetpack
Didn't I write that I AM going to replace it? I think it says that very clearly. And previously, I said swapping it out was not an option as I thought it was just stuck, not broken, as that would be overkill because I thought it could easily be loosened. I just asked what to spray on there. Now that it is loose but I know it still doesn't work it will be replaced. That and I said I want to replace the trem springs too. Pretty far away from collector mentality.

Hey Jetpack...no need to get defensive. I didn't put your name on my post as an example or anything...just making general (related) conversation. If the shoe doesn't fit don't wear it Wink

www.apollo4.com

RS Guitar works has the best pots. They are CTS with higher tolerences. I have bought dozens of them. They are very precise. A little more expensive than a run in the mill CTS, but they are worth it.
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/index.php?cPath=45_65

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