How to Remove Solder on Tone Pots

The tone potentiometers are controls used to alter the signal produced by an electric instrument, such as an electric guitar or bass guitar. The tone pot controls how much of a particular frequency range is allowed into the final signal sent to the amplifier. This control does not significantly change the volume of the final signal, but adjusts the overall tone produced by the instrument. Wires are attached to the tone pot using solder.

Things You'll Need

• Soldering iron
• Solder sponge
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Plug in the soldering iron. It takes a few minutes for the soldering iron to get hot enough to melt solder.

2. Remove any panels blocking access to the back of the tone pot. You may need a screwdriver to remove these panels, depending on the type of instrument and the design.

3. Touch the end of the soldering iron to the spot where the wires are held to the tone pot by solder. The heat of the soldering iron causes the solder to melt, which causes the wire to detach from the tone pot. Do not worry about removing the solder yet. Repeat this step for each wire attached to the tone pot.

4. Remove the tone pot from the instrument. It is easier to remove the solder completely from the control when it is outside the instrument cavity.

5. Touch the tip of the soldering iron into the center of a glob of solder. It should melt the solder along the tip of the soldering iron.

6. Insert the tip of the soldering iron into the solder sponge to wipe off the molten solder. You do not need to completely scrape all of it off. You can leave a thin coating of solder along the tip.

7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until all the solder is removed.

Tips & Warnings

• The solder tip sponge should not be replaced with any other type of sponge. The tip of the soldering iron is extremely hot and would set most other types of sponges on fire.

References

• “Ed’s Shed: The Ultimate Guide to Guitar Maintenance”; Ed Mitchell; 2007