Wah crackling static noise, dodgy pot?

[AlexHunter]

I recently sold a Vox Clyde McCoy in the classifieds, however, apparently it has a strange crackly/static noise and volume spike midway through travel (I believed it was in fine order so apologies to Messr Fretfinder), it's being returned to me but as I have no idea about wah pedal guts I'm wondering what the issue might be. Does it sound like a dodgy pot issue and, if so, how easy are these things to replace? I know that Area 51 offer replacement pots but is there anywhere in the UK that might be able to supply parts for me? Or is it easier to take all the guts out, just use the shell and get a drop in kit?

[thermionic]

Pots get crackly and wear out over time but are easily replaced - no need to replace all the "guts". The Jim Dunlop 100k ohm ones can be found easily but they are stupidly expensive for some reason.

[AlexHunter]

Where can you find them and what's stupidly expensive? I can only find ones advertised in the US currently.

[ICBM]

This is what you want:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dunlop-Hot-P.../dp/B000EEL5W4

If you can find it cheaper, good luck. I've seen them at much more than that too. A total rip-off really, but it will do the job with the least hassle and the best reliability. If you haven't changed one before, it can be a bit fiddly, but it's not actually 'hard'.

The Hot Potz II is much better than the original type, by the way.

[Viz]

Shouldn't he just spray it with contact cleaner first?

[ICBM]

Shouldn't he just spray it with contact cleaner first?

My experience is that it's a waste of contact cleaner . I used to try cleaning them since I hate seeing parts changed unnecessarily, but it never seems effective. The problem is usually track wear rather than dirt - yes, I post-mortemed a few to find out! Now I just change them, saves having to have it apart twice.

[Viz]

Fair enough :-)

[jpfamps]

My experience is that it's a waste of contact cleaner . I used to try cleaning them since I hate seeing parts changed unnecessarily, but it never seems effective. The problem is usually track wear rather than dirt - yes, I post-mortemed a few to find out! Now I just change them, saves having to have it apart twice.

I concur.

Many wah pots are sealed so you can't even try the contact cleaner route.