StingRay 5 controls knobs - cleaning/service

[jackspro]

Hey everyone. First post. I have a few MusicMan basses - one is a StingRay 5 from 2004 (ceramic), which I love. Another is a StingRay 5 from 2009 - the 2009 has notable smoother feeling controls, and the knobs on the 2004 feel like they are 'lose' and no buttery feel (like my Old Smoothie & LIII guitar also) and the detent feels like it has small play on each of the bass, mid and treble. Any suggestiong for how to perform a service to these? Pot cleaner, or any other suggestions? I'm afraid my technical knowledge is low in this department but I am good with my hands.

I have never gone in there and the bass was bought by myself used, about 11 or 12 years ago.

TIA

 

[DrKev]

Hi jackspro! Welcome to the forum family!

Cleaning the pots will help if there is any crackles or scratchyness while turning the pots but it can not restore the tighter, buttery feeling to the pots. It could even make them slightly looser.

It sounds to me like it was a bass that's been well played and loved and with use the pots can wear and loosen up a little.

 

[jackspro]

Thanks for that @DrKev - yes it perhaps has been used a lot prior to it coming to me. I think it was a pro used gigging bass. Everything functions as it should, no issues or problems. So I may just leave things to be honest. There is no scratchyness or fuzz. I have never looked 'under the hood' but I assume everything is stock. It's a ceramic pickup (curved/rounded edges) 2004. It's a great bass!