Fender Style Electrics

We kick off this series by talking about the benefits of cleaning your electrics, as well as walking you through a demonstration of how to clean the electrics on a Stratocaster style guitar.

Summary: Why clean electrics?

One of the most common problems to encounter with an electric guitar is crackling pots. This simply means that when you are turning your volume or tone knobs you hear a crackle. This is almost certainly dirt getting into the pots (the knobs). The good news is this is a very easy fix and is precisely the reason we want to regularly clean the electrics of our guitar.

Equipment: What tools do you need?

There are two main tools you will need to clean up the electrics in your guitar, and both are easy to come by and very cheap.

1. Precision screwdriver

Almost any small phillips screwdriver will do, but a precision screwdriver will just help ensure that the screws don't slip and you accidentally hit the scratch plate of the guitar.

2. Switch Cleaner

Switch cleaner is very cheap and can be obtained from most electrical stores. One can of switch cleaner will last you a very long time, even with liberal use.

Checklist: Cleaning the electrics

Ok, so as we now go through the process, remember that the wires are connected to the guitar body, so don't rush it and rip off the scratch plate as you may pull out the wires. Here is the full walkthrough:

• 1. Use your screwdriver to remove the screws around the edge of the scratch plate
• 2. Gently lift up the scratch plate and rest it on its side
• 3. Identify the pots (where the tone and volume knobs are)
• 4. Take your switch cleaner, insert it into the pot, and spray. One or two sprays should be fine
• 5. Twist the knobs as you do it to work in the cleaner and make sure it removes all the dust
• 6. If your pickup selector is a bit crackly, you can also spray that whilst flicking it back and fourth
• 7. Carefully return the scratch plate and put the screws back in.