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Post subject: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:07 pm
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Hi, guys. I kinda have some problems and wanna ask some assistance from experts. I owned an American Fender Stratocaster standard. Made in 2009 according to the serial numbers. Due to some circumstances, I haven't touched my guitar for nearly 3 years. When, I checked the guitar yesterday, aside from the rusty strings (which I've already expected), I was pretty happy to see that the bridge and pickups are still rust-free and shiny like new. The frets are a little bit dirty, but I plan to rub it clean when I change the strings. When I checked the knobs, I found that they are too stiff to turn, especially the two top knobs (master volume and tone control knobs). So, I tried to pull the knobs off using bare hand (bare fingers?), but to no avail. Is there some special way to pull the knobs? Do you guys have any idea on why the knobs become so hard to turn? The lubricants dried off? Rusty pots?

I apologize for any error in my post, since English is not my first language :?


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Post subject: Re: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:52 pm
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Sounds like you left your guitar near a swamp or a river with no case. Nice.


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Post subject: Re: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:12 pm
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You might try some Caig De-Oxit cleaner/lubricant to loosen the shafts of your control pots. Spray it onto each shaft then rotate them several times from stop to stop. Repeat as necessary until they spin freely.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:30 pm
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The knobs on a Strat Standard are just a compression fit.

If it were me, I'd get one of my split-finger nylon car interior pry's and carefully pry the knob off.

Problem is, if you don't restore classic cars, you may not own this tool...

In which case, I'd take an old CD or a blank CDR. Place it on the pickguard and with a screwdriver (using the CD as the fulcrum), gently seat it against the pot shaft and gently pry the knob up progressively at 0° , 90° , 180° , and 270° . This should cause the knob to rise off the shaft.

If the knob is that seated on the shaft, I believe you'll find some corrosion on the shaft is 'glueing' the knob to the shaft.

Once off, take a paper towel wetted w/ 3-in-one oil to wipe the corrosion off the shaft before replacing the knob.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:19 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
You might try some Caig De-Oxit cleaner/lubricant to loosen the shafts of your control pots. Spray it onto each shaft then rotate them several times from stop to stop. Repeat as necessary until they spin freely.

Arjay

Thanks for reply. I'm looking for Caig DeOxit right now, but it looks like I can't find any in this small town (or maybe I haven't tried hard enough). Local music store offers me another lubricant of unknown brand. Do you know any other good lubricant?

Lightnin MN wrote:
The knobs on a Strat Standard are just a compression fit.

If it were me, I'd get one of my split-finger nylon car interior pry's and carefully pry the knob off.

Problem is, if you don't restore classic cars, you may not own this tool...

In which case, I'd take an old CD or a blank CDR. Place it on the pickguard and with a screwdriver (using the CD as the fulcrum), gently seat it against the pot shaft and gently pry the knob up progressively at 0° , 90° , 180° , and 270° . This should cause the knob to rise off the shaft.

If the knob is that seated on the shaft, I believe you'll find some corrosion on the shaft is 'glueing' the knob to the shaft.

Once off, take a paper towel wetted w/ 3-in-one oil to wipe the corrosion off the shaft before replacing the knob.

cheers!

Following your advice and it works :lol:

Surprisingly, the shafts are OK. No rust. I guess a little lubricant might help. Looking for some good lubricant/oil now. Any advices?

Thanks a lot guys.


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Post subject: Re: Problem with pots and knobs
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:51 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Retroverbial wrote:
You might try some Caig De-Oxit cleaner/lubricant to loosen the shafts of your control pots. Spray it onto each shaft then rotate them several times from stop to stop. Repeat as necessary until they spin freely.

Arjay


This one is the best , If you can't find one , any good contact cleaner with lubricant may do the job . Look at Radio Shack or order Caig product in line or any electronic store (?)


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