static when adjusting gain control

You may want to try Channel Master if they still make the stuff or another electrical contact cleaner, check Radio Shack. I believe that these have less oil in them than WD40.

You can get contact cleaner. I wouldn't use WD-40. May too much oil. Contact cleaner spray is highly volatile and won't leave a residue to gum up the pot like oil will.

This one is a no brainer! Old audio fix. FIRST BE SURE THE POWER IS OFF & THE POWER CORD IS DISCONNECTED. Use achol, Turn your componet so the the shaft of the control that has noise in it is vertical. Now just put a few drops on the shaft of the pot, enough so that it can run down inside the pot. Now rotate the pot several times. This should correct the problem in most cases. If not try it again. After a couple of tries if the noise doesn't stop you may have to replace the pot. I have used this for many years with great sucess. You may also find that the sound quality is better too, even if the pot was not noisy. Be sure to wait long enough that the fluid can dry before restoring power. Good Luck!

Audio4fun: Rubbing alcohol?

Audio4fun & everyone who responded, Thanks for the tips. I tried contact cleaner and thought things were improving but static seemed just as bad. I then tried an eye dropper with rubbing alcohol applied to the shaft of the gain control. I rotated the knob and positioned the pre amp at every imaginable angle over a period of about eight hours.... and PRESTO, NO STATIC! Thanks everyone and Audio4fun, The cigar is your's! Regards, John