imikeyi Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 Hi I have a Charvel Journeyman electric guitar. When I leave the volume on full, everything is fine. But, when I turn the volume knob down a bit, and then back up again, the whole sound cuts out and then slowly dimms back in again, cuts out 1 or 2 more times and then goes back to normal.. its a strange process that lasts about 10 seconds. It doesn't feel as though the knob is loose or anything. Anyway I was wondering, do I need to replace something (the potentiometer)? Or is it a problem that can be solved just by cleaning? If the former, can you recommend me a replacement part that will be suitable for such a guitar? Thanks Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feylya Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 I reckon just replace the pot. They're fairly inexpensive. What sort of pickups does it have? Humbuckers or single coils? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imikeyi Posted August 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 a single humbucker is all.... are all pots the same shape? (will it fit straight into the guitar and knob?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feylya Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 You can get long and short shafted pots so you want to make sure you get the right length. Long shafts are generally for Les Pauls and short ones are for everything else. As for body diameter, most pots should fit in the cavity. I think it's a 500K pot for a hummer but I've been wrong about this before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 The standard for a humbucker is a 500k pot and no they are not all the same, Have a look at yours to determine if you need a long shaft or short, and also the diameter of the shaft can be thick or thin depending on the model of guitar. You can find more information about the different one's available at Guitar Parts Resource which will also ship internationally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feylya Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 /me hangs his head. Wrong again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imikeyi Posted August 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted August 18, 2003 Report Share Posted August 18, 2003 Make surre too of the size of the body of the pot, I've seen Charvels that use the Smaller "Japanese" Pots approx. 1/2" diameter and the larger American Pots wont fit because the volume hole is drilled really close to the body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imikeyi Posted August 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2003 will do thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuskBuffer Posted August 24, 2003 Report Share Posted August 24, 2003 Before you replace the pot, try some contact cleaner! What happens is dust and carbon builds up in the brushes and will cause this to happen. I was ready to change the pots on one of my guitars for the very same reason, and my tech/luthier turned me on to this fix. Worked like a charm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imikeyi Posted August 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2003 thanks, but where do i put the cleaner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted August 26, 2003 Report Share Posted August 26, 2003 Just pull the knob off the shaft and spray it down into the pot. You will want to have a towel or clean rag handy to clean up any overspray before it dry's on the body but thats about it. Spray and twist it back n forth................... Let it dry (happens quickly) and test it to see if it's better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imikeyi Posted August 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 thanks man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHowell Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Just pull the knob off the shaft and spray it down into the pot??? What type of pots are you refering to Brian? You need to spray it into the small gap near where the wires are soldered on. Be careful of contact cleaner though some types tend to leave a residue which attracts all the much you just got rid of and after a few weeks you have a worse problem than before! Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuskBuffer Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Just pull the knob off the shaft and spray it down into the pot. You will want to have a towel or clean rag handy to clean up any overspray before it dry's on the body but thats about it. Spray and twist it back n forth................... Let it dry (happens quickly) and test it to see if it's better. You might have to do it a few times before it's perfect. I haven't had the problem with the cleaner attracting more gunk, but if it does happen--heck, you were ready to replace the darned thing anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 What type of pots are you refering to Brian? I have so many different brands laying around I wouldn't know but you guy's are right some better built one's have that place to clean out. Note to self "must learn not to post while still half asleep" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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