The Steel Guitar Forum

I posted this in the electronics section where it's getting no attention, so I'm putting a link to it here. Sorry, Brad.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=280436

Bottom line: It stopped working mid-sale; do I have the pot repaired or replaced? If the latter, what pot/cap configuration is closest to the original?

Thanks, everybody.

The first thing I would try is cleaning the pots. I use a spray cleaner/lube I picked up at Radio Shack. Lots of folks are partial to a product called Deoxit. I'm sure if you search Youtube for "cleaning potentiometer" some tutorials will come up. You might try just working it back and forth some. Lots of time this will bring the pot back to life.

I believe the pots in these are 500k but it's been a while since I had my Tonemaster opened up. If replacement is necessary, I would try just replacing the pot first and then see if it needed a cap. I've had lots pots wear out in guitars but no caps that I can think of (amps are another story entirely) I'm still on the search for the perfect replacement potentiometer as far as feel goes

If you do purchase a replacement pot, be sure it's an audio taper rather than linear taper pot. I believe it's a 500k pot in there now, but you own the guitar and should be able to determine that when you open it up.

Good luck!

You can always sell it in As Is Condition.

Lower the price 25 dollars and move it down the line. Completely acceptable offer.

The pot is under 10 dollars a cap is under 10 dollars.

Any local repair-person can do the install in under an hour.

Very simple for a trained person.

Hope this helps you.

Thanks, you guys. I think I like the sell it as is idea best. Simple for someone with a soldering iron which doesn't describe me. I did use spray cleaner on the pot, and though it doesn't crackle anymore, it's still has no effect on the tone.