Quick Tip 17: Dealing with Scratchy Pots and Switches on your Guitar (and Addressing a Loose Jack)

The quick tip series consists of short videos on a guitar or amplifier repair or maintenance topic. In this episode, I address some scratchy pots and a switch on this old Squier Stratocaster. I also repair a loose output jack.

Who am I? I'm just a hobbyist, not a luthier. I've picked up a few skills along the way, and I continue to learn. If you're into DIY projects and musical instruments or gear, you may enjoy my channel. If you do, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment.

[traviscarrico]

Switches on my Silver Skies were really scratchy. Was planning to take them to the shop but I just saw your vid; I sprayed some contact cleaner into each end of the switch slot, worked the switch, and it worked like a charm! Scratchiness is completely gone! I appreciate your tutorial!!

[ranman]

Good job on the tutorial. I do that most times when I get a guitar but there's another way to do it if you don't want to take the guitar apart in any way but one. Stew mac sells a tool that allows you to go through the potentiometer tops after you remove the knob. I make my own with a hairspray bottle cover lid. Small enough to fit over the potentiometer and make a vacuum against the pickguard. Poke a hole just big enough for the nozzle. That forces the air and deoxit through the top without ever opening it up. Goes down the shaft.

[frettingitforward]

Thanks a whole Bunch for sharing, grew a pair and tried it myself…thanks for the tutorial 🙏

[BlueberryStinkFinger]

My 2021 Epiphones have CTS pots and electronics have no issues

[Toccobass]

Speeds it up at the most important part of the video