Center Detents Missing

[jasper383]

Do the center detents on the tone pots eventually wear out?

1990 SR5. On two of the tone knobs, the center detent is just not there. One is barely there. I tried the knob lift trick that a search revealed, but the detents are just not there. The pots work fine with the exception of the missing detents.

Has anyone else experienced pots wearing out entirely?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Try removing the knobs and turning the pot shafts to the mid position. The detents should be there. Now replace the knobs.

 

[jasper383]

I did that. The detents are not there. With the knobs off, you can feel a very vague difference in resistance where the detent probably was, but that "notch" is just plain not there.

Can such a thing wear out? They are just regular tone pots with a detent, aren't they? Replacement wouldn't be a gigantic issue, would it?

 

[Big Poppa]

1990 mid 2007.....anything is possible

 

[robobass13]

I have seen situations where the bent over tabs that hold the pots together, can over the years start to loosen from the pots getting pushed against/ hit ( never on an EBMM).

 

[bovinehost]

1. Can such a thing wear out?

Sure.

2. They are just regular tone pots with a detent, aren't they?

They are.

3. Replacement wouldn't be a gigantic issue, would it?

Nope.

 

[scottbass71]

Knobs wearing out Ha Ha

sorry it early here I should still be asleep

 

[73jbass]

What a coincidence. I just aquired a 90 or 91 SR5 with the same problem. The mid control doesn't have a center detent. The pot is different according to my repairman. Not sure if it was like that from the factory or not. I'm keeping an eye on this thread!

 

[Big Poppa]

73 J Bass

Do you really think that back in 91 we would have sent out a bass with mismatched pots or do you think that the logical answer is that someone replaced it with a non standard pot? In 16 years I would probably think that it has had some service rather than us shipping a funky bass......,common sense will win!

 

[Kristopher]

I had a similar problem with the used Sterling I just bought, but I fixed it just by tightening up the allen wrench thingies on the knobs.

I assume you've taken the knobs completely off the posts and found that the posts themselves don't have the center dedent when you turn them without the knobs on them?

 

[73jbass]

Hey BP,That was my first thought. It didn't make any sense,considering all the MM basses I've owned in the past,and currently own now, had the same pots. I had the bass in for a fret level,and I asked the guy to take a peek at the control cavity to see what was there. I'll be calling CS in a few to get a replacement. ThanksBP!

 

[jasper383]

I had a similar problem with the used Sterling I just bought, but I fixed it just by tightening up the allen wrench thingies on the knobs.

I assume you've taken the knobs completely off the posts and found that the posts themselves don't have the center dedent when you turn them without the knobs on them?

Yes, I have taken the knobs off to see if the detent appears. There is a tiny change in resistance where the center point is, but that "notch" is pretty much missing. The controls work perfectly, not even scratchy, but the detents are worn out.

It's a well loved bass, and I guess the previous owner liked to tweak.