I just picked up 2 838s and to my surprise both units volume controls basically dont work.The two of them are so low they sound like someone next to me listening to a walkman. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this issue? Side note both sellers did not disclose this problem but did give me a partial refund. I will try contact cleaner but dont think it will work.

I'd start with some Deoxit on the volume pots first.....worst case maybe some bad caps????

Let us know how it goes Mrupscale1

Deoxit did the job on 1 but i was already into cleaning and disassembly of 2nd one. Hopefully i will be just as lucky on that one because it has a great body near mint. Thanks Brutus422.

Sorry to bring this up from the dead, but just wanted to know if you got the second radio to work with the deoxit too. I've got an 838 as well, but the volume pot is totally dead.

It's very likely the volume slider is broken. Very common with 838's. They have small contacts inside that are fragile esp. after 30 yrs. I have one with the same issue and the bass and treble don't work either. Some day I might try to fix it.