If your guitar crackles when you turn a knob, pops when you flip the switch, or cuts in and out when you move the cable, it’s an electronics problem. The good news is these are usually quick and affordable fixes at TuneUp Guitar in Redding.
Common problems we fix
- Scratchy or crackling pots. Volume and tone knobs that crackle or cut out at certain spots.
- Dead spots on a knob. Turning the volume changes nothing until it suddenly jumps.
- Noisy or intermittent pickup switch. Positions that cut out, pop, or only work if you hold the switch just right.
- Loose output jack. The jack spins or wiggles when you plug in.
- Cutting in and out. Sound drops out when you move the cable or the guitar.
- No sound at all. Often a broken wire, bad solder joint, or a worn out jack.
- Battery problems on active guitars. Loose battery clips and worn battery boxes.
How we fix it
We start by finding the actual cause instead of guessing. Sometimes a good cleaning brings a pot or switch back to life. When a part is worn out, we replace it with a quality pot, switch, or jack and resolder the connections. We also check for cold or cracked solder joints elsewhere in the guitar while it’s open.
Replacement parts are inexpensive and usually in stock for common guitars.
Want more from your controls?
If you’re replacing pots or switches anyway, it’s a good time to add something new like a coil split or 50s wiring. See custom wiring. If your guitar works fine but hums or buzzes through the amp, check out hum and noise troubleshooting.
Bring it in
Bring your guitar to our shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Many of these repairs are done the same day. Adding a guitar setup at the same time is a good way to get the whole guitar playing right.
Pots, Switch, and Output Jack Repair questions
Can't I just spray contact cleaner in the pots?
Sometimes that works for a while. If the pot is worn out or the crackle comes back quickly, replacing it is the real fix and doesn't cost much.
My guitar cuts out when I move the cable. What's wrong?
That's almost always the output jack. It's either loose, worn, or has a broken solder joint. It's a quick repair.
How long does it take?
Many of these repairs are done the same day.