Hi everyone, can anyone help me out on how to clean a pot on my amp, it produces an unbearable hissing in the right channel, which varies in intensity as the volume dial is turned.
Thanks a lot,
Matt
Thanks a lot,
Matt
Lisandro
Just replace the pot... you could get an electronic contact cleaner for the same price, but trust me, is only a temporary fix.
Just replace the pot... you could get an electronic contact cleaner for the same price, but trust me, is only a temporary fix.
i'll second that.... contact cleaner may help the problem but the only way to fix the problem is to replace the pot.
OK then, seems like I'll have to some hunting for an old part!!!
Or, its gives me an excuse to buy a new amp 😉
Matt
Or, its gives me an excuse to buy a new amp 😉
Matt
no need to go hunting for an exact replacement unless it is a motorised pot and then your choice will be somewhat more limited. All you need to do is make sure the new pot has the same number of gangs, the same resistance, the same transfer function (log or linear) and the same shaft diameter.
mattpman said:
Hi Matt,
I have used with best results and since many years
on different pots, oil in a spray can (it`s no joke!). Turn off the amp, Spray a very small burst
into the slits of the pot(were the pins goes in) and move several times from left to right.If the pot is complete capsuled check whether it is possible to disassemle carefully, then spray a small amount directly on the carbon surface and slider contact and wipe it of with a tissue.
you can be shure there is no influence of the sound quality of the amp!!
I use KONTACT 88 from Kontact Chemie or Ballistol
(oil for weapons)I think BALLISTOL is avialaible in U.K.
Agree - oil usually works. If the pot can be open, then pack it with some grease - it will quiet the most obnoxious pots. While some people might get nervous about such fix, that might save a lot of labor and usually works great for quite some time.
Gone to Pot
I have never heard such bad advice. Is the amp hissing only when you adjust the pot? If it is hissing after you stop turning the pot the amp is probably oscillating and you have a completly different problem than the pot. If you put WD 40 or grease in the pot you will be buying a new one.
I have never heard such bad advice. Is the amp hissing only when you adjust the pot? If it is hissing after you stop turning the pot the amp is probably oscillating and you have a completly different problem than the pot. If you put WD 40 or grease in the pot you will be buying a new one.
Slight oops
I have to take some blame for that advice. As I reread carefully the original post it is clear indeed that it might not be the pot. I thought it was talking about scratchy pot. Oops and should read more carefully.
However, packing grease in a pot is a good solution for a part that is going bad. I have done so many times, and so far have not had to replace any of them.
Again - this in case of a scratchy pot.
I am somewhat hesitant to recommend the WD-40. I have used it once, and the immediate result was good, but after sitting for some time it developped sticky feel. Usually that stuff lieave sticky residue. But some sort of good grease - never a problem.
I have to take some blame for that advice. As I reread carefully the original post it is clear indeed that it might not be the pot. I thought it was talking about scratchy pot. Oops and should read more carefully.
However, packing grease in a pot is a good solution for a part that is going bad. I have done so many times, and so far have not had to replace any of them.
Again - this in case of a scratchy pot.
I am somewhat hesitant to recommend the WD-40. I have used it once, and the immediate result was good, but after sitting for some time it developped sticky feel. Usually that stuff lieave sticky residue. But some sort of good grease - never a problem.
OK, to answer your questions:
The amp is solid state.
- and -
It hisses continously, but more pops and crackles as I turn it (this is only in the right channel), and at different positions, it hisses at different volumes, for example at vol. 2 it is exceptionally loud, but not so loud at vol.6.
I shall look into grease then, is this the grease that is a yellow colour (I have never head of the reccomended one), or do I need "special" grease?
Matt
The amp is solid state.
- and -
It hisses continously, but more pops and crackles as I turn it (this is only in the right channel), and at different positions, it hisses at different volumes, for example at vol. 2 it is exceptionally loud, but not so loud at vol.6.
I shall look into grease then, is this the grease that is a yellow colour (I have never head of the reccomended one), or do I need "special" grease?
Matt
I had a Telecaster Elite at one time that was noisy as hell. Replaced one of the transistors in the onboard electronics and cured the problem.
If the amp were tubed, I'd say it was a no-brainer...look for the 12AX7 in the front end and replace it. Solid state...I'd still consider the possibility of a noisy transistor or a bad solder joint.
Grey
If the amp were tubed, I'd say it was a no-brainer...look for the 12AX7 in the front end and replace it. Solid state...I'd still consider the possibility of a noisy transistor or a bad solder joint.
Grey
Hiss
I really don't think the problem is the pot. You could have a noisy transistor or something oscillating (another fault condition) Putting grease in the pot will not fix your problem and will ruin the pot. Take it to someone who can fix it or throw it out. Good luck.
I really don't think the problem is the pot. You could have a noisy transistor or something oscillating (another fault condition) Putting grease in the pot will not fix your problem and will ruin the pot. Take it to someone who can fix it or throw it out. Good luck.
taterhead said:
Now i've heard it all, KY dries pretty stiff in a reasonably short period (a few days perhaps) of exposure to air.
Mr. Freak it's only a joke, son. Do we have to put a emoticon after each funny, so everyone "gets it", I hope not as that would be pretty pathetic.😉
- Status
- Not open for further replies.