VIPots - INSTALLATION tips
We check every VIPot before it gets packaged and shipped. Usually, when customers contact us saying that their new VIPot is broken, it's almost always because of incorrect installation.
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DO NOT OVERHEAT THE VIPot!
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The most common mistake - and the easiest way to literally fry a pot - is overheating.
ALWAYS use a soldering iron with 40W or more and an appropriate D-series tip (with kind of a chisel look)! ALWAYS turn the pot down to 0 before soldering! If possible, use leaded solder (60/40).
DO NOT scratch/sand the back of the VIPot! TThe VIPot casing is specifically designed to be easy to solder - no sanding or flux is necessary. Scratching or sanding the surface can create fine metal shavings, which may enter the pot and cause internal damage.
If you don't have experience with soldering or don't solder regularly, we strongly recommend having a qualified guitar technician install your VIPots. Not only does this ensure proper installation, but it also supports skilled professionals who rely on this work for their livelihood.
Please note: The VIPot warranty is void once the component has been soldered.
If you're uncertain, it's best to let a professional handle the installation.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE VIPot!
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Another way to damage your new VIPots during installation is to overtighten the nuts.
We strongly suggest to tighten the nuts by using a 1/2" drive socket held in your hand.
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ALWAYS use the supplied washers between the VIPot and the top of your guitar or pickguard (VIPot > nut (optional) > lock washer > guitar top > washer > nut).
If the little tabs that are holding the little metal plate with the shaft are not able to withstand the force applied to the shaft, they will bend and let the plate/shaft rotate freely.
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It's an easy fix - pull the tabs back a little more so that you can move the plate back into it's centered position. Then pry the tabs back into place, using pliers, so that they hold the shaft in place.
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Our latest VIPots feature an improved locking mechanism for enhanced stability. However, we still recommend following the guidelines above.
HOW TO GROUND A VIPot!
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Don't try to bend the lug back to solder it directly to the back of the VIPot. The lugs of the original VIPots are too short and it's very likely that you won't get a stable ground connection without damaging the pot.
Instead, use a short wire to ground the lug as shown in the picture.
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The newest generation of VIPots has longer, more flexible lugs that can be soldered directly to the case. However, we still recommend to rather use a short grounding wire to guarantee a solid connection.