How do I tell if my pots are fried?

[austin]

Do they stop passing sound, do they not work along the entire throw, does the resistance increase, decrease, etc... I have a volume pot that might be suspect. I was going to just bypass it, but that would change the sound even if the pot was functioning perfectly, so...

-Austin

[Joelski]

A toasted pot would most likely have a crackle that is not relieved by contact cleaner. It is possible to "cook" part of the carbon tracing (especially while attempting to solder a ground with too low of a tip temp) and get a resulting dead spot in the travel of the knob. IMO, pots are cheap to replace with good quality units and many retro examples can be found (like the old CSS pots that have the stem sticking out the bottom). Just remember to save the old pots in your case as this matters to most vintage zealots!

[Sludgenutz]

The word "fried" is kind of a loaded one, since frying anything from fried pots to fried chicken takes massive heat.

Rather than hypothesizing, a quick test is another pot. A new one, of quality is always a plus.

Going primitive, without a volume pot works, as you have mentioned too!

[Diocletian]

They could show varying faults. You might not even be aware of it in some cases.
For example - I fitted a volume pot to a Jackson Kelly with a JB in it. It SEEMED to work perfectly fine. Volume seemed to adjust fine with no drop off, crackles etc.
However, I have another guitar with a JB in it and that was the only reason I noticed the Kelly didn't sound as hot as it should. Changed the pot and suddenly the Kelly was much hotter.
If I never had another guitar with a JB in it, I'd have assumed JB's were just crappy pickups.

If you have any doubts, replace the pot - carefully!

[Empty Pockets]

Usually you can tell if my pots have been fried because i'll be on the couch watching South Park or playing nintendo, maybe eatting an ice cream sandwich or something.

It only really bugs me when somebody else fries 'em without asking me first...