pvision
Well-known member
I seem to have developed an unhealthy fascination with locating the "right" knobs, pots & switches for what I am building. It wasn't a problem till I started costing parts for a project. It's frankly silly to spend more on switches & knobs than on everything else put together, but they do make a huge difference to how the unit feels & works
Switches: Elmas are fine but they don't feel great and mechanically they are large in diameter. Also they wobble when mounted which does not inspire confidence. They also have 6 mm shafts which limits the minimum knob size you can use with them
For one project I need a rotary switch small in diameter which led me to Grayhill. Mmm, nice, but I had a true WTF moment when I saw the prices!
Just been looking at these NKKs - any feedback? About half the price of a Grayhill and you can buy them with knobs included. They also have metal shafts & housings so clearance should be tighter & they should wobble less. And they have small diameter shafts (3.18mm). I suspect they are all break-before-make
NKK
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/10310.pdf
Which brings me on to knobs. Knobs are either cheap-looking and cheap-feeling or good-looking and bloody expensive. I like Elma collet knobs but they are stupidly priced and no-one keeps stock. I looked at the RS equivalent: sensibly-priced but they come in one colour only and no coloured switch caps are available.
Ideally I'd like the Elmas in sensible quantities at half the price but would settle for them in the colours, sizes & specs I want without having to order 100 of each item
Elma
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1792283.pdf
Sifam seem to have switched to making "soft finish" knobs which look spectacularly cheap and have a surface finish that makes my skin crawl
Sifam
http://www.sifam.co.uk/knobsSelector.asp?cat=Knobs_Collet
I like the knobs Neumann used on their older kit but I don't know who makes them
Also the Telefunken knobs with & without wings
One of my favourite styles is the classic collet knob & colour scheme from the original Prime Time
and, of course, the GML 8200
All suggestions for manufacturers and suppliers welcome, preferably in the EU so we don't have to pay shipping, import charges & etc
Nick Froome
Switches: Elmas are fine but they don't feel great and mechanically they are large in diameter. Also they wobble when mounted which does not inspire confidence. They also have 6 mm shafts which limits the minimum knob size you can use with them
For one project I need a rotary switch small in diameter which led me to Grayhill. Mmm, nice, but I had a true WTF moment when I saw the prices!
Just been looking at these NKKs - any feedback? About half the price of a Grayhill and you can buy them with knobs included. They also have metal shafts & housings so clearance should be tighter & they should wobble less. And they have small diameter shafts (3.18mm). I suspect they are all break-before-make
NKK
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/10310.pdf
Which brings me on to knobs. Knobs are either cheap-looking and cheap-feeling or good-looking and bloody expensive. I like Elma collet knobs but they are stupidly priced and no-one keeps stock. I looked at the RS equivalent: sensibly-priced but they come in one colour only and no coloured switch caps are available.
Ideally I'd like the Elmas in sensible quantities at half the price but would settle for them in the colours, sizes & specs I want without having to order 100 of each item
Elma
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1792283.pdf
Sifam seem to have switched to making "soft finish" knobs which look spectacularly cheap and have a surface finish that makes my skin crawl
Sifam
http://www.sifam.co.uk/knobsSelector.asp?cat=Knobs_Collet
I like the knobs Neumann used on their older kit but I don't know who makes them
Also the Telefunken knobs with & without wings
One of my favourite styles is the classic collet knob & colour scheme from the original Prime Time
and, of course, the GML 8200
All suggestions for manufacturers and suppliers welcome, preferably in the EU so we don't have to pay shipping, import charges & etc
Nick Froome