My Squier has been sitting for a year or so and when I picked it up to play I found that my tone controls are not working. Is this something that could be an easy fix or will the pots have to be replaced? Thanks for reading my post.
Unlikely that both pots would croak at the same time, but anything's possible I guess. Likely a wiring issue. Take it to a tech - it should be an easy and affordable fix either way.
If you're feeling brave you can pull the pickguard and resolder (assuming you find a loose wire when you examine it). I did some work on my Squier Affinity PJ Bass (new pots). It wasn't pretty but it was a great learning experience and it was actually fun for my first try. Coincidently, the tone control on my bass didn't seem to work until I replaced the pots. Now the two pickups sound like pickups and not muddy garbage, and the tone control actually makes a difference now.
When I get a chance tomorrow I will take off the guard ... loose wire is one thing I should be looking for ... anything else to look for? I will try cleaning the pots too. Is it 100% fixable without getting more pots?
If both stopped working at the same time, you've most likely lost the ground connection to the pot case(s), or the capacitor has come loose. Both pots wouldn't just "go bad", and pots get scratchy... rarely outright fail.
Wellsir ... I didn't go inside yet, but when I use some of that DetoxD5 stuff on the jack of the guitar, the tones started working again! I can't believe it!
