How to fix scratchy pots | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 14 | Thomann

Don't panic if your guitar / bass pots start to scratch. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to swap them out. A good quality contact spray can save the day. Learn how to use it with Kris in this week's Guitar Tech Tips episode.

Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 The scratchy noise
1:24 Open the electronic cavity
1:37 Cleaning the pot
2:01 Let's check if it worked
2:12 Now the other potentiometer
2:36 Cleaners don't always help
3:08 Time for a test ride
3:42 Outtakes

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[TheMikeyC]

I have a brand new-ish Schecter and I have rarely played it. The volume pot became really scratchy. This honestly saved me from buying a new factory pot. You are a life saver dude!!🤘🤘

[momemor]

I had used the contact cleaner on a scratchy pot in my Gibson LP several times with no result. Your sharp tip about the open side of the potentiometer solved it! It seems I was aiming for the wrong spots. Thank you so much

[wasichu]

Really like this series, even as a veteran these simple refreshers are great. Love the outtakes, they make you the Jackie Chan of music vids, and uuuh, that Cypress Hill cover of "insane with a spray can" was spot on.

[bootchramey]

Thank you. Just did this on two of my guitars and it worked like a charm!

[johnsuggs]

Really glad to see in this video, he's using the correct Deoxit in the green can.
The other thing he did correctly is using a small amount of the cleaner. So many times I see content providers on YouTube using the red can Deoxit and they spray way too much of it in the pot. You only need a small quick burst of it in to the pot.
A lot of people use the Red can of Deoxit. Which is the absolute worst on potentiometers or variable capcitors.
Because those components utilize a varied resistance that slides across a track resistor, Deoxit in the red can will over time mess up that track. Once that track of carbon is gone, the potentiometer is no good.
For modern guitars and other gear, you can easily and cheaply replace the pots.
On vintage amps and gear, those pots are usually custom made for the unit. You'll end up having to rebuild it or spend a ton of money trying to get a replacement pot.

[Heathaze]

This can't be upvoted enough. My Jazz bass just quit working one day. I pulled everything apart and saw that the signal circuit and ground circuit was closed. I didn't know if it was input jack, pots or pickups. I was just about ready to desolder every piece until I could find the short circuit. I tried this with the F5 lubricant spray and instantly the circuit was fixed. $20 saved me a mess of soldering. Thanks.

[carlosfigueroa]

Cheers from Central America! Guatemala City!

[ELECTROxigeno.]

excellent video my friend, a question where can I get the cleaner and what is it called exactly ?, 🎼💯🔧

[giofrongia]

It worked, easy and fast! Many thanks!!!

[bernardf.]

You just saved me some bread and I just subscribed. Thanks 🙏🏽

[znqytwt]

Do you guys add shipping charges during the process of delivery?

[cHnuT]

Thanks for this Video. I‘ve cleaned the potis from my musciman stingray in this way. It works. 👍🏻

[danielgarzaromusic]

thanks! I bought a brand nee PRS that came with scratchy knobs and I just fixed it! Also, what if my pick up switch is also scratchy? Or is that just normal with humbuckers? (I’ve only owned a tele before)

[aligator]

This video was really useful, really helped with my Harley Benton SC-450Plus, which had scratchy volume pot since day 1, some it's smooth as butter. Although, the lubricant is not available at Thomann, I had to look for it a bit amongst similar products, but I didn't know which were fine to use or not. A list of recommended alternates lubricants / contact cleaners in the description might be useful for any future viewers. Or the properties to look for in a recommended contact cleaner...

[Dominik]

hi, he always does this to me before playing the first few minutes and then it's okay, could you advise? I did it exactly according to the video, thank you very much

[andy_]

Does this work for a scratchy 3-way toggle switch ?

[ronnienose]

That was much appreciated. I'd love if someone could help me. I've a couple of guitars where when you try to fret the low E string from around the 14th fret and up it makes a 'plink' kind of sound rather than a note. The action isn't particularly low and I recently did a fret level and polish, but it still happens. Please help.

[ceebee]

hi.. did you use the DRY or WET contact cleaner?

[ARCHDEACONMUSIC]

Contact cleaners are the BEST! I have the CRC QD Electronic Cleaner and I see a lot of people use the Deoxit Contact Cleaner...are they basically the same? Also, what is that black thing on the end of your guitar?

[finley]

i like how yours looks so simple on the inside and my Hellraiser has a billion wires running through it for the active pickups. is it okay if the other wires get the fluid on them too? ill obviously wipe off what i can but i just wanna be sure its fine before i do it lol