Scratchy pot in volume pedal

[T89Rex]

I've got an Ernie Ball VP Jr with a scratchy pot. Is there anything I can do to salvage the pot or do I need to swap it out?

 

[Axkoa]

http://www.michaelshell.org/gadgetsandfixes/fixingscratchypots.html

This guy suggests compressed air and/or WD-40.

 

[Cagey]

You might be able to hose it down with contact cleaner and get a temporary reprieve, but pots used in pedals are usually sealed due to their typical duty location - on the floor. Even if it's not sealed, noisy pots need replacement. Trying to clean them usually only buys you a short run time, if that.

 

[mayfly]

You might be able to hose it down with contact cleaner and get a temporary reprieve, but pots used in pedals are usually sealed due to their typical duty location - on the floor. Even if it's not sealed, noisy pots need replacement. Trying to clean them usually only buys you a short run time, if that.

+1.  In my experience for something like a wah or a volume control, once they're gone, they're gone.

 

[T89Rex]

Thanks all. Looks like it's a new pot for me.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Thanks all. Looks like it's a new pot for me.

If you're resorting to this, then consider a sealed Bournes Pot.

 

[Cagey]

Even better, get a milspec part like one of these. They're not only sealed, they're rated for 25,000 turns, which actually doesn't sound like much, but it sorta says something about the life expectancy of standard parts when that's all you can expect out of a part designed to work for the military.

 

[bagman67]

Oh, jesus, Cagey, thanks for the link to Digi-Key.  A guitar mod enthusiast could really go down the rabbit hole with that one.

 

[Cagey]

I used to think they were sort of a schlock outfit, but after Mayfly endorsed them when he started on that mixer project, i've had another look and they appear to be quite the resource these days.

 

[Logrinn]

I don't know if Bourns have pots that will fit a wah or if they're milspec'd, but I believe they're rated for 100.000 turns. 

 

[Cagey]

True enough. I looked them up, and they have a series designed specifically for guitars that they say are good for a 100,000 turns. I can't see any reason why they couldn't be used in a wah pedal, as long as you get the right shaft.

 

[Logrinn]

My swedish supplier offers two versions from Bourns:

I actually have the blue version in my two builds. I now see that they're even more expensive than the black one.