[sandpiper]

Hello,

Don't know if you do technical problems but here's one anyway.

When I turn either volume pot back to 8 it gets noisy, which disappears when I touch any earthed part of my Les Paul. It's 36 years old. Maybe it's time for a refurbishment?

Cheers,

Gordon

[tazzboy]

Sounds to me like your guitar pots aren't grounded correctly. I would take look inside to see if there isn't something going.

What kind of guitar is it?

[Wally]

Shoot some cleaner/lube into that pot and work it around. The problem may go away. IF not, I am thinking that potentiometer needs to be replaced. Take a look at all connections while you have the control cavity open. IF the guitar is acting normally at '10' on that pot, I suspect thepot...but things can be strange.

[johnreardon]

I often get noise on some of my older guitars. With mine, it seems to be caused by dust or other particles, as I find turning the controls back and forth, rapidly, a few times, clears it. So you could try the cleaner approach before changing things.

[sandpiper]

Hello Tazzboy,

I've used switch cleaner and banged the pots while the guitar is connected to amp to see if i have a dry joint (cold joint?). I done a resistance continuity check on all the wiring and everything seems fine. My guitar is a Les Paul Custom. It seems odd that it's happening on both pots at the same level. I've only noticed it since using a valve pedal without a noise gate.

Cheers,

Gordon.

Sorry for delay in responding. I do not have (or want) the internet in my flat, so i use the local library.

[sandpiper]

Hello Wally,

I've now cleaned the pots and it's still noisier @8. But the noise markedly decreases if i touch any metal part with my finger. Why's this?

If i change the Pots do you know what length of 'stem' i buy as they seem to come in sets.

Cheers & thanks for responding,

Gordon.

Sorry for delay in replying but i use the local library for the internet.

[sandpiper]

Hello John Reardon,

I've just cleaned the Pots using switch cleaner and it's still the same. So i am going to buy new set of Pots when i find out the correct set to buy as there seems a few options, ie 'stem' length. I just bought myself a new Fender American Deluxe Strat so there's no hurry (And my neck now loves me again.)

Cheers and thanks for replying so promptly,

Gordon.

Sorry for the delay in responding but use the local library for the internet

Queery? Should i be using 'Quick Reply' or 'Post Reply'

[tazzboy]

If still getting noise then it most be the pots. Generally Les Paul Custom use 500K

Here is chart to see which on you need http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemi d=43

[Wally]

sandpiper, that is an odd problem. Sometimes a cap can cause some wierd noise problem.
I woudl suggest plugging the guitar straight into the amp...no effects. TEst the guitar this way. IF there is no problem, then the guitar is fine.
Re: pots.....the pots in that guitar are 300K. ON the volume pots, they are linear taper. MOst folks would go back with 500K audio. You are going to have to have the long thread shaft pots since that guitar has the metal mounting base and is not routed for short shaft pots. THe GIbson 300K replacement long shafts will yield the same type of taper that you are accustomed to on the guitar. 500K audio will be more of a vintage sound...a bit brighter...but will have a different taper. That is, they wil lose presence as you go down the range of the pot. A treble bypass cap takes care of that if you are accustomed to roling the volume down and maintaining presence.
First....see if the guitar is truly the problem by testing it by itself.

[tazzboy]

I like 500 K audio myself wally cause it makes the pickups open volume wise. Plus I use Paper in Oil caps that got.