How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

[Ayrton]

Found this looking for something else and thought others might like it

https://tetsuoelectronics.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/how-to-loosen-up-a-cts-potentiometer-again/

Normally I just use a shot of Deoxit, but for more stubborn pots, this is a good method

 

[jeremy]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

cool find and good to know!

 

[zionstrat]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Found this looking for something else and thought others might like it

https://tetsuoelectronics.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/how-to-loosen-up-a-cts-potentiometer-again/

Normally I just use a shot of Deoxit, but for more stubborn pots, this is a good method

Wow, obvious in retrospect! Very cool and much thanks!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Great info.
I've done that before...just one caution. Be careful not to bend the contacts too much or you'll lose electrical connection or possibly even end up with erratic behavior (which is worse than no contact at all).

Also, while you've got it apart it wouldn't hurt to put a couple drops of deoxit on the carbon path.

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

And now, for something completely different, yet the same. I replaced original push pull pots on my HardTail, and one is too close to the body to pull, especially with no fingernails!! Shoulda put tophats, but I was going for original. Anybody know how I can get that one cover up a bit before I get a screwdriver?

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Wrap a shoelace under
Pry gently up

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Thank you!!

 

[gilt.suspect]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Thanks for sharing! This is great to know. I like a easy turning pot!!!

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Thanks, E, but I realize I didn't make myself clear. You reminded me this is how I got the old ones off. I don't want this off, just to work. On this HardTail, the neck and bridge tone pots are push pull. Bridge works fine, neck seems closer to body, and I CANNOT get ahold of it to pull out. However, I can just use a pick and flip it up (discovered after last posts). I even switched the knob, coz I've got 8 Dean originals of 2010-2012. Mine's a 2007 Select. Same problem whatever knob I put on there. I don't get it. I can live with flippin the pick at it, but it's buggin the chit outta me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Ah pull up on the knob
Flick it with the pick, whatever
Remove knob
Small rubber o ring on shaft
Then put the knob back on

The knob will stop on the o ring
Giving you a little more height

Alternatively
You could shim the inside of the hole
Add a small rock or paper inside the knobs hole
This will prevent it from going all the way down


Or

Open the cavity cover
Remove the nut that holds the pot on
Either lower the second nut ( the one under the top in the cavity )
Or if it's all the way down, then just remove it
This will let the pot stem rise higher above the body

The Last method is what I would do

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

God, why are the brilliant answers so simple? Occam's Razor. One little piece of paper. Jesus, I am definitely technically impaired. I can apply Occam's to trucks, but not yet guitars!
Thanks, E
:banana:

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Ah pull up on the knob
Flick it with the pick, whatever
Remove knob
Small rubber o ring on shaft
Then put the knob back on

The knob will stop on the o ring
Giving you a little more height

Alternatively
You could shim the inside of the hole
Add a small rock or paper inside the knobs hole
This will prevent it from going all the way down


Or

Open the cavity cover
Remove the nut that holds the pot on
Either lower the second nut ( the one under the top in the cavity )
Or if it's all the way down, then just remove it
This will let the pot stem rise higher above the body

The Last method is what I would do

Ehdwuld: Voted most likely to succeed

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

Well, that didn't work. I tried to cheat and swapped washer on top of first nut to underneath it. But I don't have the nut real tight. Under those two is an I don't know. A shaft with threads that is the push pull. Where is second nut again? I have the same results as to begin with. That's the way it usually goes.
TechWreck

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.



If you remove the cavity cover
Then remove knob
Then remove the nut marked in red
Reach into the cavity, pull pot into cavity to reveal
Nut marked in yellow

Either move the yellow marked nut all the way down the
Threads or remove it entirely

Upon your decision
Push shaft back thru now empty hole:laugh:
Reinstall nut on top of guitar , snug it up kinda tight so the whole thing doesn't spin
Check knob now

 

[texred]

Re: How to loosen up a CTS potentiometer.

All Right!!! PICTURES!!!

thank you

again

preciate it