software

I went for a second test-drive of the Marshall 2554 combo I'm thinking of buying, and noticed that at least 3 of the pots crackled badly, particularly with a bit of gain. It made the volume almost cut out ; I actually thought it was a problem with the guitar or the jack, but not so. The salesman sprayed some contact cleaner onto them, and two of the pots cleaned up pretty well, but the mids control is still pretty bad ; when you move it from on extremity to the other, all you notice is crackling and very little change in the tone. I almost got the impression that the quality of the sound deteriorated the more I turned the pot to and fro. My question is this : how serious/expensive a problem could this potentially be ? I'm not ready for DIY amp repairs, by the way.

It's not hugely serious, but I would stay away. Who knows what conditions this amp experienced to crud up or corrode those pots. Could lead to more problems down the road. Why take the chance?