Loose knobs again

[jure_the_second]

The only complaint about my Orion I have (and most of bass fellows noticed) is those knobs. Even originally they were loose, but I didn't notice. I wrote about it here, got the instructions how to tighten them, but the problem got worse:
 
Even tightening didn't prevent from beeing loose (it did help though). When I tightened it to certain event, I lost the signal from the bass (the pot didn't put the signal through). When I loosened the screw, I got the sound back. Now it's a compromise between a working bass and firm knobs.
 
Otherwise, after 5 years of every-day use, everytime I pick it up - it's cristmas!
 
Jure

[poor_nigel]

I have heard people here have used felt circles placed (no glue involved) under the knobs to add friction, thus seeming to 'tighten' them up.  It would be a cheap venture, and certainly would not damage anything on your bass.

[mica]

Do you have the collet knobs or the set screw knobs? What pot is losing signal when the knob is installed tightly?

[jure_the_second]

It's the treble knob. For the type I am not sure - what is the difference?
 
Jure

[David Houck]

The set screw knobs have set screws on the side.  To remove the collet knobs you have to remove the cap from the knob.

[jure_the_second]

Then it's a collet knob . Thanks
 
Jure

[son_of_magni]

Possibly the knob is pushed on too far and when you tighten it the knob is pressing against the body.  This would pull on the shaft and possible effect the contact inside the pot.  I can't imagine another way tightening the knob could cause it to cut out.
- SoM

[cntrabssn]

Jure,  
 
Could you remove the knob and make sure that the pot is secure? If the pot is loose, I think there's a chance that it will shift as you tighten the collet knob. If the pot shifts, perhaps it places too much strain on a connection or causes a short. If the knob doesn't point to where you expect (min and max positions) after tightening the knob, I'd bet the pot is moving. This might also explain why you can't seem to get the knob tight enough.  
 
By the way, you would be able to test SoM's theory while the knob is off as well.  
 
If you find that the pot is loose, place it in the proper position before securing it, and of course, make sure that you don't over-tighten.
 
Thanks,  
- nate.  
 
 
(Message edited by cntrabssn on November 11, 2004)

[jure_the_second]

SoM is right. I also think this way.
 
I have centered the pot, tightened and reduced shifting, but it is still not as tight as the other knobs.
 
Jure

[adriaan]

I had a problem on my Epic where no signal was coming out of the cable, but you would get the loud noise (like when touching the end of your cord with your finger while the other end is plugged into the amp) if you touched the pins on the underside of either the Bass or Treble circuit board (I forget which).
 
Turned out that the pot had moved a bit around the shaft, and the circuit board was touching the shielding paint, shorting out any signal. I just turned the pot with the circuit board - very gently - and bingo.

[jure_the_second]

Yes, the large circuit board was hitting at the edge of control cavity. I think I came to the limit now of how far this can be tightened.  
 
Jure

[adriaan]

You should be able to tighten the nut around the shaft of the pot while holding the pot still, so the circuit board doesn't move. Just make sure your not holding the circuit board to keep the pot from moving, as you may damage the board - hold the housing of the pot itself.

[jure_the_second]

Makes sense, but it's hard in that full control cavity - made me sing can't get next to you.
 
Thanks
 
Jure