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Author
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Topic: Noisy volume pot - quick fix?
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Tony Harris
Member From: England
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posted 16 November 2005 03:17 AM
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The pot in my Goodrich pedal has gone crackly when I pedal. I have some switch-cleaner which I could squirt in there for a quick fix - but isn't the pot sealed (unlike cheaper pots which are usually a little open?). I've rarely had a pot go noisy on my guitars - so is this problem caused by the constant turning? I always thought that regular turning of pots helped keep them clean...?
Thanks. |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 16 November 2005 03:27 AM
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If you scan through the multitude of posts about volume pedal pots, you will see that over time the contactor pad and the actual resitance element can wear. However, recent pots are known to go "bad" prematurely. There are many discussions about the poor reliability of currently available pots. George L's will not even guarantee a new pot anymore and Bobbe Seymour has announced he is discontinuing selling pot pedals because of the reliabilty. You can remove the back of a volume pedal pot and spray "volume control" cleaner on it and possibly slightly prolong replacing it. You should use volume control cleaner rather than switch "contact" cleaner as they have different formulation. You will find you probably have to remove the pot from the pedal to do this. The "permanent" fix for this is to go to an electronic volume pedal, such as the Hilton, like I did - no more pot to go bad or change. |
Jim Palenscar
Member From: Oceanside, Calif, USA
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posted 16 November 2005 05:38 AM
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I have had some success reapiring nosiy volume pots by removing the back cover and inserting some 400 grit sand paper between the wiper and the contact surface and lightly going over it- on both sides- then blowing it out and finally spraying with contact cleaner. |
Derrell Stephens
Member From: Shreveport, La. USA
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posted 22 November 2005 08:05 PM
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I'm with Jim ... that's how I keep my Type J's going! 20+ years. Steady hands! |
Bobby Boggs
Member From: Pendleton SC
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posted 22 November 2005 11:18 PM
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Jim, can you remove and replace the back cover of the pot on an Emmons pedal without having to remove the pot from the pedal?Thanks .........bb |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 23 November 2005 03:13 AM
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Bobby, I don't think you can get at the tabs or at least one of the tabs to take the back off the pot without removing it.Just remember, if the wiper pad or the actual resistance material is worn out, no amount of cleaning will help. Someone mentioned taking a wiper pad from another pot and using that and it will work if just the wiper pad is worn, but if the actual resistance element is worn it's all over. |
John Bechtel
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee,U.S.A.
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posted 23 November 2005 10:49 AM
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I've had good results by removing the case and spraying the pot with a product called Lube~Job, from a company in Fla.------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
Soon to be: New Burgundy D–10 Derby (w/6 & 8)
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence
web site
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Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 23 November 2005 12:16 PM
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I've heard the term "lube job" but in another context.  |
Marlin Smoot
Member From: Atlanta,Georgia, USA
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posted 23 November 2005 01:27 PM
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With the hilton pedal...is there anything to go wrong or replace with constant use up the road? Or will the Hilton last forever with excellent care and handling? I'm thinking of getting a Hilton. The Ernie Ball's messes with the tone and my Emmons pedal Volume pot has been replaced several times...needs it again. Thanks to anyone in advance for the information.
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John Daugherty
Member From: Rolla, Missouri, USA
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posted 24 November 2005 05:20 AM
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Marlin, I am familier with the inside components of the Hilton pedal. My opinion is.... It will last a lifetime and yes, I use a Hilton Pedal on all gigs. ------------------
www.phelpscountychoppers.com/steelguitar
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Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 24 November 2005 06:05 AM
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Keith hasn't been pushing this, but a lot of big name Rock groups are using the Hilton Pedal. I use a Hilton (I've had one for almost 3 years) and the main reason I bought it was, nothing to wear out. |
Eric West
Member From: Portland, Oregon, USA
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posted 24 November 2005 11:16 AM
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Scratchy Pot?If it is relatively new, even Allen Bradley Type EJ Extra Lifes will take a couple weeks to run perfectly. Just my Exp. Then, barring liquidic immersion, they last for 500-1000 gigs. Easy. What will eventually happen is that the brush wears down to the height of the bronze brush-holder, and it scratches. At that point, since you have nothing to lose, you carefully take the brush out by carefully lifting the holder, and do what you can to file the holder down with a point file, or maybe even an emery board. Then put it back in, spray it wih lighter fluid, and pray. It's a temporary fix at best. Hilton Pedals? The day I got mine, the Ernie Ball I'd used for three thousand gigs or so becams a spider house in my basement. No doubt about it. That was over a year and a couple hundred gigs ago. It took about 5 minutes to get used to not losing 25+% of my signal to the amp and the varying EQ change of a Pot. JMHO. EJL
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