Quality potmeters for DIY projects?

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frede

Active member
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
25
Location
Aarhus, Denmark
I have build the G1176 and the G9 (wonderful machines; thanks Jakob), and I am now preparing to bulid the Pultec as well.

My problem is that I really don't feel comfortable with the feel and quality of the potmeters I used for the two first projects. It was the best quality potmeters I was able to find at the local electronics supplier.

My question is: Where do I find high quality potmeters, and what are they called? Both mechanical quality(no slackness, metal shaft etc.) and sound quality are important!

For the Danish guys (and girls) on this forum: Where do I find this stuff in Denmark?

I have already searched the forum without finding the needed information.
 
Good quality potentiometers are actually very hard to find in denmark. You'll mostly have to buy very large quantities, as the shops dosen't seem to think that pot quality matters.

Low-cost, decent quality (but carbon track) pots from TW-Alpha are available from Monacor.

100KC stereo pots (for e.g. Calrec) are available from our local TC electronic as spare parts.

If you just need a few pots, contact me at the studio and I'll see what types I have in stock. I see you're located in Århus - it would be nice to meet a fellow DIY'er!

Jakob E.

(tel 86115200)

Good electronics shops in Denmark:

http://www.vejle-rc.dk/ (web shop)
http://www.el-supply.dk/ (web shop)
http://www.brinck.dk/
http://www.aarhus-radio-lager.dk/ (the best - but no web catalouge)
http://www.elektronik-lavpris.dk/eshop/index.asp (contrary to the name - not cheap at all)
 
Thanks a lot for the answer, Jakob.

I will try to check the shops you mentioned for better quality pots.
What is the best track-type soundwise? Conductive plastic? Any special brands?

Thanks for the offer to visit you at the studio. I will do that if I can't get hold of any at the shops you mentioned - and yes, it would be nice to meet a fellow DIY'er. :grin:
 
Best pots I know of are Penny & Giles RF11 and RF15. I get them in small quantities from the distributor in Switzerland.

http://www.pennyandgiles.com/

Check the section "Broadcast & Recording".

Hope that helps...

Samuel
 
frede,
When faced with a sloppy or loose pot, I put a rubber washer over the shaft and squash it with the knob...ooh er mrs....This gives a far better mechanical feel.

peter
 
Conductive plastic and cerment are good. But not easy to find. Sometimes RS component or Farnell has reasonable quality pots - but mostly for one season only.

Bourns are good pots.
Vishay are good pots.
Clarostat are good pots.
Sfernice are good pots.

Hope to see you here!

Jakob E.
 
having some DIY-gear with Bourns inside i can second that i use this since 12 years and until now no need to replace them.

Monacors on the other hand... but that's another story.
 
On which Gyraf projects is it important, soundwise, to have good pots?

I spend the money on good pot instead, everything sounds great... (sorry couldn't help it).
 

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