The Electra Forums

I have a mint condition 320 I kinda confiscated from my dad! Sunday while playin it the volume knob froze. The first tone knob next to it us scratchy as well. I'm looking for replacement pots. I don't really care if they are original. Anyone have it can suggest where to get good replacements? I'm not sure what I need. Are they both 500k?
Thanks!

Before I replace them I would at least try some cleaner( I prefer De Oxit it ) as it works great. You may have a pleasant surprise when they are cleaned up as they do tend to freeze up over time without use. Just a thought. Good Luck.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Ill give it a try. Dad had it stored for probably 20 years untouched. I've been playing it withou any problem for about 3 months then the pot froze.

The 5 position switch doesn't seem to be working right. Maybe I'll try some in it as well.

Where do you find it DeOxit?

You can pickup DeOxit at most Radio Shacks, and I'm certain it is available on-line as well. The 5 way rotary will definitely benefit from a cleaning with the Caig DeOxit.

The volume and tone pots SHOULD be 500k ohm, even though when you open yours up you may find 50k ohm pots being used. This is a known mistake, and lots of MPC's got shipped this way. The 50's will make the pickups sound muffled with more than intended treble attenuation. The MPC controller pots are 150k ohm, this is normal and correct. Good luck.

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Yes, Deoxit first. There are vids on youtube about this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmDSgtssk4A

We want photos of your 320.

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DeOxit is great for cleaning switch contacts and pots that are noisy. If you have a pot that is physically stuck so you can't turn it, you have a different problem.

I suggest VERY CAREFUL application of a penetrant like WD-40, Liquid Wrench, or PB Blaster. These products may cause damage to finish and other guitar parts, so be very careful. You could spray the product into a cup, then use a small thin tool (pin or syringe needle?) to transfer some drops to the pot shaft where it meets the bushing. You'll have to remove the knob to access this point. Try to get some product to seep down between the bushing and shaft. After getting several drops down in there, wait a few minutes for it to penetrate, then try twisting the shaft of the pot. Hopefully you can gently but firmly work it loose. You may have to apply the product a few times to free the seized shaft.

After you get it rotating ok, you can use a contact cleaner like DeOxit if turning the pot makes noise through the amp.

Crazy thing was the volume pot was / is the only one not scratchy. It gave no warning. It never moved stiff or got scratchy. I turned it down. Smooth. Then up smooth. And when I tried to turn back down she was froze!

Thanks for all the tips. I'll dig into it. I'll pull the pot if I need to try WD. This guitar doesn't have a scratch or smudge. Not taking a chance! Don't even trust taking it to the local shop.

Ah making an assumption the knob tops press on? Or pry off? I can't see a set screw? Pics coming.

Correct - no set screws. Knobs will pull off - sometimes I need to use a pair of spoons to coax off the knobs and some cardboard under the spoons to protect the finish.

Can't see how to upload photos. I assume they need to be linked from another location?

Any import full sized 500K Audio pot will work for both tone and volume and fit correctly. US made CTS have slightly larger hole to mount and the knurl on the shaft is slightly different so don't buy CTS. You can get them from guitar fetish, stewart macdonald, and just about a zillion places online - usually for just a few dollars each.

However, listen to these guys about deoxit D-5 or DN5 cleaner. It is the best stuff, and is available at Radio Shack as they said. My X330 pots were totally frozen when I first got it. I shot deoxit in it, and it cleans and adds a very slight lubricant as well. I worked them back and forth and they unfroze - and to this day (probably 15 years or so later) they still work great. Those electra pots are a bit prone to freezing unexpectedly, but they just need cleaning. I usually don't replace them. Plus you will use the deoxit on all of your switches and jacks as well - for your guitars and amps too - it works great. I have only replaced a very few pots on my electras, namely ones that had the shaft come apart, and a few that were actually the wrong value by mistake. You almost never have to change the pots though. It is really rare.

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Thorny