How to Clean Amplifier Pots / Scratchy Volume Knobs DIY Clean Noisy Potentiometers Peavey Guitar Amp

[@nogripes]

Update Use DeoxIT D5S6 Contact Cleaner + F5S-H6 FaderLube on Amazon - amzn.to/2PvOLRm Electronic Contact Cleaner on Amazon - amzn.to/2NtWKeS

[@danielhughes5250]

So you do actually need a cleaner that has a lubricant in the cleaner. I have been reading this in other electronic forums. Apparently if you use just a contact cleaner which is a solvent only the cleaning job won't actually last that long and may also shorten the life of the pot.

[@marcogonzalez3298]

I bought a Peavey stage 50 off of craigslist for $40 on 1/23/18 . The lady said it worked great . Got it home and I could barely get any sound out of it. Wasn't sure what it was. Ordered some electric cleaner off amazon and followed these directions. It's SCREAMING NOW!! Thanks for saving me money and getting this Peavey back to singing.

[@richm68]

Greetings from 2021. Nearly threw out an old Laney GC30 until I came across this vid. Thanks a mill.

[@sprasad66]

Thanks for the lesson. This will be useful for my 1980's Crate amp that's been dormant since the 1990's. Neither of my kids are interested in the guitar, but they play sax, violin, and piano, so they're still musicians. I'm also resurrecting a 1980's MIJ Squier Strat (SQ series). Long live the 1980s, No wonder the pots are dirty, they're filled with hairspray.

[@infowazz]

hairspray needs to make a come back

[@MrMworthen1]

Yeah "Hair Spray" is that what you tell the kids lol...

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

@@infowazznah…

[@goldbeachsurfer]

I am a long time luthier and amp builder, Deoxit is the best.Great video. Many amps have the cleaning access to the pot hard to get to, so you really have to spray quite liberally.

[@vinces.2862]

I've been using WD40 for 40+ years on pots, contacts, switches, etc. and never had any problems. In fact their list of 2000+ uses states - Eliminates static on volume and tuning control knobs - I can attest to that. I have a 70's Shure Unisphere Mic with a built in volume control that was so noisy you couldn't use the mic unless pot was at full volume. Opened the head, gave the pot a drop of WD40, wiggled the control a few times and it was cleaned. Mic is still in use today with no noisy volume anywhere in the range. -v-

[@smorgdonkey]

It's actually better than plain old electrical contact cleaner...because the plain cleaner has no lubricant in it. Potentiometers are MOVING contacts. Some older pots will disintegrate with plain contact cleaner - I wouldn't use it. I would use WD40 over the plain contact cleaner.

[@rkeenan2415]

this makes a lot of sense. It will lubricate at the same time it cleans.. Not sure if anybody tried cleaning metal with WD40 before but I have and it cleans amazing and leave a oil behind.. I am going to buy a bottle WD40.. Thank you for your Input. little tricks like this get lost.. and it 's not really a trick as you said it states one of the uses, it has just been a forgotten cure due to corporates product. wonderful information. +40 plus years is good enough for me to comprehend lol cheers

[@smorgdonkey]

@@rkeenan2415 in my previous post I said that I would use WD40 over regular contact cleaner, but I would still rather use DeOXIT FaderLube as it is cleaner plus some lubricant specifically made for moving control contact cleaning. You may be fine if you aren't in a dusty environment but if you are in a dusty area, WD40 may hold onto a lot of dust. WD40 is for water displacement though it does have lots of light lubricant in the formulation.

[@rkeenan2415]

I must say I appreciate your patience with me and helping me understand even further. What your saying makes complete sense. As I only work on my own stuff I am fine with it but to service gear sounds like something someone would need this Deoxit stuff. Your knowledge is much appreciated. Thank you.

[@AngelRodriguez-om1rm]

Really u can use that

[@simonkassem2211]

Hi Mark, I have a Peavey Bandit 65, and couple of knobs are doing the same thing that this Backstage was. Thanks for the video, it's been a really great lesson!

[@JJ-yt3ze]

Mark, thanks so much. Got a 90's Peavy KB/300 and pots sticking, will try once lube arrives. Beats paying a repairman to clean or replace $100+ dollars, God bless man!

[@bandgeek9723]

I have a second hand Technics tuner from the late 70s. It's volume knob was scratchy to the point that I was ready to replace it. Stumbled upon this video while looking for something for a different project. Just finished cleaning it and putting everything back together and it is infinitely better. Thank you so much for saving me the money for a new tuner.

[@RedEyeC]

Hold on to that Peavey - it's a workhorse. I still use my 1980 Session 500 for reference in the studio, and have a 1988 Chorus 400 that I still use live. Bought both amps new. Thanks for the helpful video -

[@lancairw867]

Hold on to the Peavy. I had this same amp in the mid 80s when I first started out. Getting back into playing and just found a nice 80s Peavy Studio Pro 40 on EBay. Cleaning the pots now and making it look new again. Nice to see made in Meridian, Mississippi USA on these old tanks 😄👍🏼

[@lancairw867]

Mark Jenkins good idea. Mine is in great shape ( just one knob Saturation is difficult to turn) no scratchiness. I used electronic cleaner but probably need the one with lube. I used hot water and soap with a toothbrush on the outside/ knobs to clean and it looks amazing. Also used never dull polish on all the chrome bits. Kinda like you I use as a second fun nostalgia amp.

[@stevehtml5490]

And 50 videos later I find you THANK YOU , couldn't see how to get the knob board out , etc. Peavey 65 Bandit , no cash for anything else & no need. Spraying the pots today , from the back. Thanks again !

[@kylerilling9383]

Thought my old Princeton Chorus was dead but this fixed it! $5 instead of a $100 repair!

[@JayWalsh]

FYI, when you're pulling or trying to put the head unit back in, lay the amp on it's face. You won't need three hands then.

[@deathwrenchcustom]

Thank you for posting! I've been dealing with a horribly scratchy volume for years. Just went to autozone and bought a can of CRC electronic contact cleaner for five bucks, and it's fixed! :)

[@MrMworthen1]

Yup I see autozone in my future for the CRC cleaner

[@roberte03915]

Wow. Starting to get back into playing, pulled out a little Gorilla I've had since the mid-90s (and haven't really used in 15 or 20 years) and crackle, crackle...crud. Sound was cutting out along with the crackle and I thought, "Oh no, am I going to have to buy a new amp?". No. Thanks to this video. Ten minutes in the garage, a quick blow out with some air and then some contact cleaner I had on hand and there is *zero* crackle or sound cut out.

[@horrorgorehoundgamesmovier3531]

This is perfect thanks for the upload! I have a older 1980's Holmes T Series and the pots and knobs are to sensitive and touchy. I was thinking about just tossing the amp but after watching this video i had restored faith. And while not perfect after doing this demonstration it improved the amp dramatically!! Thank you for the upload.

[@horrorgorehoundgamesmovier3531]

@@nogripes Thanks a lot for the video and now this information i will defiantly look into it as i have a few mew amps i want to clean up inside and out and I'll have to purchase this item for sure. I highly appericate the info it's saving me time and money for sure!

[@XISTH]

Thanks for the advice! Doing this has just saved a small amp I had from the rubbish tip!!!

[@robertingraham8413]

Worth mentioning that he now uses a good lubricating cleaner. Do not just use a cleaner or you will soon wear out your pots. Also I don't know if they were done when out but there was still some scratchy pots and it may be because they were not completely cleaned. 3 of the pots were stacked pots and you need to get the front pot cleaned also which is very hard to get to but if you see a pot that looks like to cylinders stacked you have to get both of them. Hope that helps.

[@RVsnobrdr]

Thanks! While searching fro replacement pots I found this and to honest the thought of cleaning the existing ones never occurred to me. Lots of time and money saved!

[@nancyfaustjenkins]

This is precisely what we needed. So informative . Thank you

[@butchcassidy3373]

I just picked up a Peavy KB 60 for sixty bucks and a good cleaning was all it needed. Made right here in the USA. I'm a drummer but couldn't pass up this deal. Lol Gonna use it for vocals and thinking it's gonna work great

[@thomastucker5686]

I am looking at this video to restore an old 112 bandit I purchased in the 80s. I am a drummer and it has been my monitor for many gigs. I got a guitar job and my 1/2 stack is too heavy to move around at my age. A bass drum is about my limit. It was suggested to use this amp with pedals, so I'm going to give it a try.

[@butchcassidy3373]

@@thomastucker5686 I replaced the factory speaker with a celestion and my guitar player played his Les Paul through it with a golden Plexi and it sounded great I think you'll be happy with this set up

[@thomastucker5686]

@@butchcassidy3373 Thank you.

[@jericks06]

Thanks for the video, this worked for me and my knobs turn easier and are not scratchy anymore. I found that on my Fender Princeton 2 * 10 chorus, I was able to Simply remove the knobs and spray them from the outside without taking the amp apart, but others may need to actually take the amp apart. It worked for me on the first time.

[@Danielsa0302]

Thanks man! Just fixed my bass head because of your video! 🎉

[@jarryjayo]

I have two of these back state plus amps, still work today. thanks for the great video I did this last night and they work perfectly. these amps are build like tanks and will most likely last forever, not bad for a 250 dollar amp. Not many things I have from the 80's that still work, Betamax gone, vhs gone, cassette tape player dead and gone. Really good value for the money now that I look at it.

[@jeffgerek6180]

my first real amp bought it in 87.more compliments on this amp than any amp i ever owned.everyone was impressed.never played in a club it couldnt handle.only had volume half way.reliable.

[@bluesmills]

Thanks Mark, I saved a lot of money by watching this

[@guitarfreak521]

I love those 1980s Peavey Amps! :-)

[@guitarfreak521]

Yeah speakers go over time. Just from age and use.

[@camlong89]

I play Doom metal, and I have an old Peavey Century I got for $175. That amp in the low gain setting, with a fuzz pedal in front is perfect for that style. No need to spend $2k on a Matamp or Orange tube amp (although if you have the money, why not?).

[@rickrickerson]

Thanks for the vid. I'm giving my nephew my circa 1984 Backstage (20W version) and was actually searching for a vid on replacing the pots. This saved me a bunch o' time and money. All the pots sound brand new now with the exception of that pesky saturation pot. Still sounds much less static-y than before cleaning.

[@NDWoj]

Have this amp...needed to really work on the Volume knobs with the DeOxit....great sounding amp for the money. Thanks for this!

[@andylowemusic]

Thanks for this! Need to do some maintenance on a Marshall and this is just what I needed to know

[@williamleather500]

good video . . . . I did 3 Peavey Studio Pro 40 amps like this one. . . good sounding amps. . .

[@roygramoglia1772]

Followed your advice. 1985 Peavey Bandit, working a treat. Now to get all the chrome done and restored brand new. Cheers

[@markrobinson8410]

you are the only one that does this right!

[@lawrenceserrao958]

Thanks very clear instructions & detailed steps. It is very helpful as mine same type needs cleaning as it cuts off …

[@mikelanzafame3401]

Thanks a lot! This worked wonders on my old PEAVY audition 20

[@coxda13]

Thanks for the video and instruction! Cleaned up my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe POTs perfectly. Was considering a new amp, but no longer, I get to keep playing this sweet amp I've spent many hours with for 20+ years. Used CRC 5103 Quick Dry Electronic Cleaner.

[@interstellardriftambientgu5834]

Hey thanks man...useful video. You sound like a great guitarist.

[@eddietaylor2888]

Hi Mark, Thanks heaps. Have saved my Peavey 110 Envoy. Sounds as good as new

[@Jmoorhouse716]

wow, my uncle gave me one of those in 2012 when I started playing. he also gave me an American standard tele. I took a break for a few years and after lots of fighting with my mom, she made me give it back to him. I managed to hold onto the amp and I still have it. I will always miss that tele and there will always be a small part of me upset at my mom that she made me get rid of it. but at the same time, there is a great possibility that I would never have started playing guitar again if my uncle hadn't had a long talk with me when I gave tele back. he sold it, unfortunately, and he probably sold it for 300$ because he never wanted to rip people off. who knows maybe he will give his Pual Reed Smith one day.

[@BulletSpoung]

I just bought a Peavey renown 400 2x12 210W RMS. It has 3-4 scratchy pots making some loud popping sounds. I have the amp 100% disassembled doing a complete cleanup, it was a filthy mess but in very nice condition overall. This is one loud ass amp OMG!

[@jericks06]

Thanks for this video, I believe this is the problem with my aunt. I set up some beautiful tones using my Helix the other night into the stereo effects Loop return and they sounded great. I came back the next night and all of those great-sounding patches sounded a bit dull. Pretty sure scratchy pots is the problem since I've been having this problem off and on for about a year. When I wiggle the knob just right it'll sound clear again usually. It's not the Helix coloring the sound either because I plugged straight into the front of the amp straight for my guitar and still had the same dull sound to it and my amp does a clean sound well.

[@chadgotgreedy9028]

Never tried it yet but hey seems simple enough +1 like

[@theworldiswatching4573]

Thanks Mark. I was just wondering how to clean my Peavey Bandit I bought in 1991.

[@phillyman5000]

Thanks dude, Most helpful video!! I bought a used Ampeg B2RE bass head and had the same issue with the gain and a few other knobs. I will take the metal casing off and use the electronic spray to clean it up!! Seems easy enough! Thanks again!

[@brandname6]

will be doing this to hopefully solve a very annoying old 80s amp that i need to work. dank you

[@cokolok0]

great vid, Mark. thanks for sharing.

[@user-bk3bp5yy7m]

Found it much easier to 1- flip it on it’s front to dismantle the 3 rear plugs 2- turn it upside down to extract the power unit from the case , and replacing it - it’s very tight against the side walls It may take a couple of tries to fully clean the pots - ours was sitting in storage for years

[@ronaldgoebel2174]

If I were doing this, I would have turned the chassis upside down and the spray would saturate the pot better if the opening was on top. GRAVITY!

[@TomFynnVideos]

Thank you for sharing this 😊

[@DMKano87]

I have a question. Should I wait some time after spraying this pot to dry it, before i reassembly the amp?

[@MilestoneMediaUSA]

Thanks! Time to work on my vintage equipment.

[@jamesbrandenburg9679]

great video...just scored a Marshall 5005 Lead 12 for $60 and gonna clean it today . before this video I didn't even know what a pot was except the kind you smoke LMAO

[@davidfhayes]

Thanks for the advice. I’m sitting here laughing out loud at the uncooperative amp. I feel better now that it’s not just me, even down to the random firearm burn. 🤣

[@chinmoy1955]

There is no need to go for those Hi-Tech solutions for such a simple problem. This is my well tried out method: 1) Use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean out the dirt and carbon deposits. Let the alcohol dry out completely. 2) Then use a drop of Machine Oil (any mineral oil will do) to lubricate the carbon track. Your pot will be as good as new. I've been doing this for the last 40 years ✌😊

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

Peavey Backstage ❤❤❤

[@lucasp2251]

Could you show how to look after wah wah by Jim Dunlop? Great stuff. That video was so helpful. Cheers.

[@jeanpierremartinez2319]

Bonjour j'ai fait la même chose sur le potentiomètres de gain de mon ampli Hugues et kettner et maintenant le grain reste Au même niveau je ne peux plus ni descendre le gain ni le monté même si je tourne le bouton dans les deux sens

[@user-bk3bp5yy7m]

Great - cleaned my wife’s Studio Pro 40 - sounds 78.5% better

[@MichaelRichard0]

thanks a lot, hoser, that was quite helpful. I love my peavey too.

[@ropper75]

Very helpful.

[@jordn1]

Will this cure my Master knob/pot of my Peavy 50 4x10? The volume doesn't gradually turn on, but pops in at places. If I find a spot and set it, it usually stays put, but if I turn the knob all the way up, it can cut out.

[@budmcnelson]

Thanks Mark, this is a helpful video. I too still have my '80s Backstage Plus. It's a great little amp. I upgraded the speaker to an Eminence Rajin' Cajun. It made quite a positive change to the sound. I'm going to use your pot cleaning technique to help clean things up. Question: have you ever tried the StewMac pot cleaning cap that you screw on to the threads of the pot and squirt the DeoxIT in to a specially directed hole? I know it's mad for guitars, but hey, a pot is a pot, right? Sadly, my amp now has an issue where it fades out after playing for a while, so I guess I get to do some troubleshooting. Thanks again for the video.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Interesting, I did not know about that tool. Thanks for sharing.

[@ConsensusReality]

thanks for posting this

[@MazMaslin]

You gave that amp several reach arounds. I threw up in my mouth. Thanks for sharing though.Your Roadstar is schweet ;)

[@andyelectricwiz]

I used CRC Contact Cleaner from Home Depot and it made the pots so much better and cleaner sounding. I've got a Peavey Classic Chorus 212. This thing is amazing and loud as hell, it's got built in Chorus and Reverb and the distortion is soft, I think it is analog distortion. The chorus is lush, but there's a slight problem with the Chorus sound when selected from the foot pedal. It sounds kind of "tinny" like it is not firing on all cylinders...I think it may need a new resistor. Could also be a problem with the foot switch. Any suggestions?

[@johnh7899]

2:01, yes it will drop btw.

[@jasonkesser]

Thanks man huge help!!

[@Gutch220]

You should use D5 to clean, let evaporate, then D100 to lubricate. Because D5 has a solvent which is the opposite of a lubricant, and D100 is a lubricant with no solvent. It will stay lubed much longer, and protected from oxidation

[@cjjuszczak]

This is mistaken. D5 does NOT have a solvent, it cleans via Deoxit's main formula WITHOUT using a solvent. Deoxit D5 has lubricant, the Deoxit Fader series simply has MORE lubricant, and the "marine" and "Deoxit grease" have EVEN MORE lubricant. Deoxit D5 contains a cleaning formula (not solvent)AND lubricant: the cleaning formula cleans gunk away, and then evaporates after afew minutes, leaving the lubricant. "DeoxIT Solutions: Do not require solvents. Active ingredients chemically dissolve surface contamination (oxides and sulfides) without harm to metals and plastics" system.na3.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=66928&c=ACCT113328&h=d15a4569f3d6c7c85aba&_xt=.pdf Deoxit D5 contains LUBRICANT. From the maker's website (note the specific "D series" is specified, and not the "F series" Fader product) : "Part No. D5: DeoxIT® D-Series contact cleaner is a fast-acting deoxidizing solution that cleans, protects, *lubricates* and improves conductivity on all metal connectors and contacts." and again from another page: "D5S-6 and D5S-6-LMH - "Product Description: Unique contact cleaner, rejuvenator, conductivity enhancer and *lubricant*." Note on every one of these pages, Deoxit D5 is labeled as having *LUBRICANT*. system.na3.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=1558&c=ACCT113328&h=a1ea0e789376f8d28505&_xt=.pdf caig.com/product/deoxit-d5s-6/ system.na3.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=66928&c=ACCT113328&h=d15a4569f3d6c7c85aba&_xt=.pdf system.na3.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=775&c=ACCT113328&h=9cf1dbb99c28bcd363a2&_xt=.pdf

[@4o5919]

it didn't show you cleaning the sealed pots. The ones on the bandit I had were not all accessible some were sealed tight.

[@97warlock]

good video, but this is a temporary fix. Id guess within 6 months or so it would need it again probably depending on play times & how often the knobs get used.

[@monastarylane3404]

I sprayed contact cleaner in my pots and now some of them go all the way around without effecting the tone or volume. They also can be pushed in and out of the board where before they couldnt. i used this same type of contact cleaner. Any idea what happened?

[@phanrangsam]

Some Contact Cleaner will melt plastic parts, Deoxit is to be USED SPARING and NOT use to Saturate the Pots only a couple of Drops in each pot!!!

[@thel1195]

Very useful. Thanks

[@pussycat6469]

i have too do this too my 1982 ibanez gx60b it should get it thumping

[@stefanbaartman5893]

To do the job properly one should remove the knobs and front panel, because where there are double pots, you did not get to clean the front ones.

[@elliotkcollins]

What if some of the mobs and XLR are not giving off signal? Is that an Even more complex issue beyond contact cleanser?

[@illdrew818]

Thanks for sharing

[@yusrihamid]

thanks for the video

[@rodneylarue4568]

I have a Peavey backstage chorus 208 can I use electronic spray on the course controls they're very touchy and I think they need to be cleaned just curious thank you rod

[@yasar5797]

my marshal mg15dfx's clean - dist switch has been broken and I'm gonna change it but I don't know whether it's on-on or on-off switch do you have any idea ?

[@infowazz]

just got a 1987 gorilla amp for $35. it has dirty pots so i just need to clean them. not sure if i keep it or give to nephew.

[@howardblack5384]

Yes mine is clean

[@curtiseverett1671]

35 watts of output from a Peavey of that series would jam if you put a heavy duty speaker in it. You could play with a drummer with that thing I bet.....

[@annata2011]

having tightened all the screws on the dust screen and amp entirely how to stop buzz amp dust screen buzz entirely

[@CptSlow89]

WD is not lubricate its water displacement

[@Kathysimon1]

Dude,why didn't you tell me to unplug the Fokker, I just got a massive zap!😂😮

[@sarahhanson9312]

I have an amp like this but I don't hear anything but a high pitched buzzing when I play the instrument can someone help ?

[@myworldchannel1646]

bro...can we change the volume pot 10k (30-40 watt amp guitar) to 20k ..

[@elamriti]

but some people say you need to use somekind of oil cleaner that clean the pot but leaves a film of lub

[@elamriti]

if you want to clean it 100% do you need to open the pot ?

[@CorinGatwood]

i found a peavy like this but the special 130 in the trash!

[@scotthutchens1203]

My ex wife told me about a 1989 Bandit 112 someone was throwing out when moving. I t was in the rain a little, but I rescued it. I hope I didn’t screw up the pots by using just contact cleaner in it

[@lesstime1678]

ideal cleaner,,,,, 10 FINGERS DOWN

[@AlanScottBand]

As always unplug the amp.

[@Tubbahgrease234]

Wd40 makes contact cleaner now tho

[@chazharrison9760]

one question for you, i have an old crate g600 head, and have that scratchy sound on some of the knobs, where and what contact cleaner do you recomend thats safe if it gets on the boards.

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

Be careful of electronics cleaner around plastic, some of the products will melt plastic'y things - ask me how I know.

[@Elfstrack]

awsoeme

[@Elfstrack]

Mark Jenkins tell me are all amps are the same from inside because i have a amp which is yamaha will it be same from inside and what was the name of the cleaner you used ?? can i use wd40 ?

[@LawGone1]

“Reach out around the front and work it”

[@curtiseverett1671]

"Reach out around the front and work it back and forth.....and you know, I'm not gonna be skimpy with it either" Bahahahaa sorry, I couldn't help it....

[@howardblack5384]

No you don’t buddy. Amp is filthy and is still filthy after you famous 100 point inspection. Needs a carwash