Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello, I searched the archives and couldn't find any info on this subject, so, I thought I would ask here. I have a 76 4001 bass and the neck pickup volume pod is noisy and cuts off at full volume, but will come back on with a little wiggle. It doesn't seem to happen when the knob is removed. I've checked the wiring and it looks O.K. So, my questions are, is this a case of a dirty pod and if so how do you clean the pod? Thanks very much, David Miner

Sounds like a dirty pot. You can pick up a can of "tuner cleaner" aka "electrical contact cleaner" at a Radio Shack and spray it into the opening where the lugs enter the unit. Spray liberally and turn the knob back and forth, but use lots of rags to prevent any of the cleaner from getting on the guitar finish.

Alternatively, you can order replacement pots, and also entire wiring harnesses from Ric.

John, Thanks, I will head to Radio Shack today and try it out on the offending potometer. dm

The best cleaner for pots and 'contacts' was trichlorotrifluoroethane but the EPA put an end to that even though the oceans produce tons of it naturally every day with no apparent damage to our supposedly fragile ozone layer.

Your next best bet would be distilled gasoline, better known as 'naptha'. The most convenient source for this chemical is Ronsonol Lighter Fuel. Naptha is extremely low residue, evaporates quickly and is carbon based so it virtually rejuvenates carbon surfaces.

Never use WD-40 to clean carbon potentiometers. It is silicon based and residue builds up with each successive use. The noise will soon return prompting another dose of the vile liquid, eventually rendering the pot irrepairable. Hope this is helpful.

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Nah, chlorofluoro compounds are not produced by the ocean. At least not on this planet. However, the ocean is the major contributor to atmospheric chlorine compounds. And none of those emissions are germaine to ozone depletion as they are not injected high enough into the atmosphere to do any damage. Just thought I would clear that up.

The afore-mentioned spray contact cleaner such as the Radio Shack product uses the aerosol propellant (typically a hydrocarbon such as iso-butane) as the solvent. Some of the newer aerosols use liquified carbon dioxide as a propellant and it is one heck of a great solvent with zero residue. These both do a wonderful job and would be my preference over getting a chlorinated solvent anywhere near any of my Ricks. That's just my opinion as a poor dumb research chemist with about 30 years experience.