[joebog1]

" Real faders " were actually sealed rotary pots driven by a shaft and a wire wound around the pot shaft.
Today they are about $200 each!!!.
The open faders used in "cheap " modern mixers and tape decks usually relied on a little wiping bit of some very weak and thin material.
With equipment made like this its a VERY good idea to keep the unit, or at least the sliders covered. Even in a studio. Vinyl, like that used for guitar amps is cheap and very readily sewn on an ordinary home sewing machine.

Joe