Volume Pot Grounding and Volume Issues

Hey all,

I have a 52 RI Tele that I bought used with the modern conversion done to it. (I wonder if this is why I'm having the problems that I'm having....)

The volume pot has developed a nasty habit of buzzing....only modest when I'm not playing (and what I originally wrote off as 60 cycle hum), but tonight at band practice it went BERSERK. So absolutely loud through the amp, even with the volume turned all the way OFF, that it was deafening. When I touch it, it goes away, but comes back when my finger leaves it. When I pulled the knob slightly away from the guitar when turning the volume off, it got rid of the problem, and that solved the problem for a bit. Then it returned, and it was just as bad.

The other issue is that it doesn't send a signal to the amp until the knob is turned up to about 5 or higher. Not a huge deal, per se, but I can't do volume swells with it, etc.

Does anyone know what is causing these issues? And, for a novice with electronics (I can use a solder gun, but I'm no expert and have few tools), are these problems solvable on my own, or should I have a tech take care of it?

My first instinct would be to pull the control plate and jack cup and have a look around.

maybe its a bad pot? they are only a couple bucks, if you want to try to replace it.

I would check to see if everything is wired correctly too, you can find wiring diagrams all over the internet.

Something that should be grounded may have come loose. If touching it makes it quieter it is usually a ground issue. If you have a good ohm meter check the resistance between the bridge and the collar of the output jack -there should bee none if the bridge is grounded. Some of the new teles ground the bridge on one of the pickup screws, make sure you have good contact, and maybe put a little foil tape or a drop of solder. Check that first. I went nutty with the foil tape shielding and now mine is nearly silent. Good luck.
GS