How to Fix a Guitar Volume Knob

Most faulty guitar knobs can be fixed by cleaning.

With prolonged use the volume knobs, or pots, on an electric guitar become affected by dirt, moisture, and simple wear and tear. This can cause the sound to break up and crackle through the amplifier -- which is not just annoying but, in severe cases, can cause sound to drop out completely in live playing situations. Most problems with volume knobs, however, are easily solved by cleaning with readily available tools and materials.

Things You'll Need

• Electronic contact cleaner aerosol like DeoxIT
• Pot-cleaning cap tool
• Small screwdriver
• Cleaning cloth

Instructions

1. Remove the knob from the shaft. Most knobs can be removed simply by pulling firmly away from the body of the guitar. Some, however, are held in place with a small locking screw that secures the knob to the shaft of the pot. Loosen the screw with the screwdriver and the knob will come free. Place it somewhere safe while you work to avoid loss or damage.

2. Attach the pot-cleaning cap to the shaft of the pot. It should fit snugly to the protruding thread of the pot's neck with a quarter turn.

3. Attach the nozzle of your cleaning fluid to the pot-cleaning cap and spray two short bursts of the cleaner. The solvent will flow directly into the body of the pot to remove built-up grease and grime, while helping enhance the conductivity required for effective operation. The pot-cleaning cap also has a small hole at the top that allows you to use a small screwdriver to turn the pot backward and forward a few times to ensure that the fluid reaches all necessary parts.

4. Remove the nozzle of the solvent and carefully unscrew the pot-cleaning cap. Have a cloth handy to wipe up any drips. Replace the knob by pushing it back onto the shaft of the pot. Tighten the locking screw if required.

Tips & Warnings

• A common misconception is that WD40 is an effective cleaner for guitar pots -- but using WD40 may cause further damage and result in expensive repairs.

References

• Premier Guitar: A Pot Cleaning Miracle!; John Brown, October 2008
• Custom Guitars: Safely Clean Vintage Guitar Pots