Volume pot question

I have a problem with occasionally bumping the volume knob on my strat changing the volume inadvertently (usually turning it down). My question is, some audio components have pots that offer a mechanical resistance to being turned. Does anyone know if this is a specific type of pot? I did some google searches and the only thing I turned up was maybe they are sealed shaft pots? Any thoughts? Thanks.

I would strongly recommend against using a custom control to increase rotational resistance. The whole point of that control being close is to make micro adjjustments while playing, which you would have trouble doing with a stiff control. All Strat players have to adjust their technique to accommodate that control, or you can do what I did: move the volume control to the second hole, have a master tone in the third hole, and get a plastic button to block the first hole.

This way, I make no unintended changes to the control with my normal playing technique, but I can still do volume swells with my pinky.

There most certainly is a solution to your problem, though you'll have to scour the 'net to find it. That is, a volume pot with click-stops. Not like a selector but a genuine vol pot with multiple, minute click-stops.

Good luck.

Pop off the plastic knobbie..

Strats have too many knobs anyway.... ;-)

Thanks all for the feedback. I replaced the pot with a Fender branded CTS. It seems to have just about the right amount of drag. Not super stiff, but not nearly as prone to slight bumps. I also ran across some posts where people are putting small discs of cardboard, leather, etc... under the knob skirt to solve the same problem.

Thanks all for the feedback. I replaced the pot with a Fender branded CTS. It seems to have just about the right amount of drag. Not super stiff, but not nearly as prone to slight bumps. I also ran across some posts where people are putting small discs of cardboard, leather, etc... under the knob skirt to solve the same problem.

I use a Grolsch beer rubber washer for this very purpose.

I recently began using Bourns pots. They are rather stiff. I gave one to Lance the other day to see if it would help him with this same issue.

Funny though, I've never really had a problem with the Strat volume knob location!

I recently began using Bourns pots. They are rather stiff. I gave one to Lance the other day to see if it would help him with this same issue.

Funny though, I've never really had a problem with the Strat volume knob location!

Bumping that knob was giving me fits. So far, the stiffer CTS pot seems to help. All those years playing a Tele just ruined me... :wink: