Gibson Quick Connect Maintenance

bingefeller

I'm wondering what the best way to maintain the pots is? Is it safe to spray WD-40 Contact Cleaner (the actual specially made WD-40 Contact Cleaner) in the back?  

I don't want to get crackling volume pots.  

It looks like it's all pretty much a sealed unit at the back - I'm not even sure where I'd spray the contact cleaner in order for it to get inside the pots? I don't want to risk doing it from the front of the guitar because, if some got on the nitro, I'm certain that would be a disaster.

bingefeller

https://m.imgur.com/DlnwAwy

bingefeller

https://m.imgur.com/qCqUegz

KrisGee

Best way to maintain it is to replace it with a proper wiring kit and store it safely in a drawer  
Easy job gibson should've done in the factory.

ICBM

From your description it sounds like there’s nothing wrong with it, so leave it alone.

If something does go wrong with it, do what KrisGee said...

p90fool

Tbh I've often wondered whether the access holes for cleaning conventional pots is where the crud gets in in the first place, or whether it's carbon build-up from wear. 

If it's the former your sealed pots will outlive all of us. 

Babones

It's a bit of a hassle for the end user if you want to swap out a pot or pickup, but a money /time saver for Gibson. It's a failed experiment. Gibson had talks with the main PU manufacturers, to establish a QC standard connector, but it didn't happen.

ICBM

p90fool said:

Tbh I've often wondered whether the access holes for cleaning conventional pots is where the crud gets in in the first place, or whether it's carbon build-up from wear.

It's wear and carbon build-up. Sealed pots with carbon tracks wear out too - the ones Dunlop used to fit to Cry Babys are notorious for it. Even the cermet track type do eventually.

I don't know which type these Gibson ones are.

Sassafras

The WD40 contact cleaner doesn't appear to contain any lubricant at all.
I'd only use it when the pots actually need it. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
It does work better than Servisol, IME.

bingefeller

I just want to ensure that no dirt or crud gets built up in there - I want to prevent problems before they start to save money in the long run. 

ICBM

bingefeller said:

I just want to ensure that no dirt or crud gets built up in there - I want to prevent problems before they start to save money in the long run. 

Don't clean pots when they don't need it - if there's nothing wrong, it can wash out some of the lubricants and increase wear.

In any case, these are sealed.

bingefeller

Cheers @ICBM