Try this instead....get yourself a can of contact spray.
CRC QD 11 oz. Contact Cleaner-02130-6 - The Home Depot
Use the little straw thingie that comes with the can. Make sure the straw is on the can before you buy it. Sometimes it's missing. Spray around the volume knob. Odds are it wont work because you said it crapped out early in its life (tells me there is something besides crud messing it up) but it is worth a try and every household should have a can of contact cleaner around anyway. Pulled me out of a ditch any number of times. Good for cleaning dirty contacts.
Noted! This is a good idea and I’ve got plenty of gear to use it on. Thanks!