How to Fix the Volume Control in a Bass Guitar
Bass guitars and bass players sometimes are known as the quiet, dependable members of a group, and a bass usually lives up to that image. Periodically, every instrument needs some attention, and a common electrical issue is a noisy volume knob. Any slight adjustment is met with a loud, crackling sound, or perhaps the knob has ceased to function. There is no need to worry; with a little work, the bass will be laying down dependable grooves at the next gig
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Instructions
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1
Remove the control's knob, which may be secured with a set screw. It is a pressure-fit knob if no screw is visible. Pull the knob straight up to remove. Avoid damaging the finish of the bass or knob.
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2
Access the potentiometer, pot, which is the electrical heart of the volume control, by removing the plate on which it is mounted, or the access plate on the back of the instrument, depending on the style of the bass.
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3
Spray a liberal amount of contact cleaner into the opening of the pot's body. Aerosol cleaners are recommended because the application can dislodge any debris inside the pot. Rotate the shaft repeatedly in both directions to work the cleaner into the pot. Wipe off excess cleaner. Replace the plate(s) and knob.
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4
Test the bass for improvement. Severely corroded pots exhibit no improvement and should be replaced. Remove the knob and plate(s) again. The pot is attached with a nut and washer at the base of the shaft. Loosen the nut and washer and back the pot out of the mounting hole. Make a note of where each wire is located on the pot because the replacement is connected the same way.
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5
Determine the resistance value of the pot with the multimeter. Measure across the outer pins, and rotate the shaft to each extreme. You typically see maximum values between 250 and 1000 ohms. Move the shaft to about the halfway point in its rotation. Measure the resistance. If the value is about half the maximum value, the pot has a linear taper. A value quite a bit off from halfway has an audio taper. For example, if you read a maximum value of 500 ohms and the halfway point reads about 250, replace this with a a new 500 ohm linear taper pot.
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6
Solder the new pot the same way as the old one was soldered. Replace the shaft in the mounting hole, and secure it with washer and nut. Replace plate(s) and knob.
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Tips & Warnings
The procedure for cleaning or replacing a tone control is similar, but a capacitor may be needed.
Use soft cloths and gentle pressure to avoid marring the surface of the bass.
If you are working on a vintage instrument, preserve its value by using manufacturer's replacement parts.
Some instruments with active electronics have mini-pots soldered directly to circuit boards. Attempt to replace these only if you are experienced with soldering tools.
References
Resources
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