A follow up question, re: scratchy pots

[g-dude]

Okay, so I've found the advice provided here about working the pots back and forth 20-30 times works well.

And so that's what I do.

But the question I have is this:  is it normal to have to keep doing it every so often?  I ask because I've gone through the process several times, and it seems the issue comes back...and then I resolve it...and then next time I go to play, I keep repeating the process.

[lbpesq]

Try 40-50 times, 0-10-0, fast.

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

As you are no doubt aware they are self-cleaning pots. It sounds like yours still self-clean and seem cured but it leaves a bit of residual dirt, once it moves by using the pot the noise returns. Sometimes it takes quite a few cycles of exercising the pots before they are clean. Keep at it and if it doesn't work you may have to replace the pots but it seems that is a very rare fix for this. Good luck!

[edwardofhuncote]

As a matter of habit, every time I plug in my older Series bass, each pot and switch gets five full cycles. I'm not a player who twiddles these things much at all in the normal course of playing, so they seldom get any exercise other than my Melvin Udall routine.

[jazzyvee]

I have been following that routine regularly with 1980 series bass since the issue i had with squealing.