Cheapest Potentiometer?

madbassplaya · #1 02-01-2011, 04:00 PM

I'm curious, what is the cheapest "quality" potentiometer that I can buy?

I was looking at the "economy"pots at guitar parts resource.

I was also considering mini pots as well.

Are there any problems with these economy or mini pots?

Rickenhofner45 · #2 02-01-2011, 04:05 PM

Try www.mouser.com , it's where I get all the parts for my projects.

smoov · #3 02-01-2011, 06:24 PM

buy the best pots you can afford. Cheap ones have thinner carbon traces....will wear out faster, likely to become scratchy with age.

groooooove · #4 02-01-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoov

buy the best pots you can afford. Cheap ones have thinner carbon traces....will wear out faster, likely to become scratchy with age.

yeah.

dont buy cheap pots. they make a world of difference.

madbassplaya · #5 02-01-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoov

buy the best pots you can afford. Cheap ones have thinner carbon traces....will wear out faster, likely to become scratchy with age.

i went ahead and ordered some CTS pots. didn't wanna splurge but after talking to Chef I realized that I didn't need to go cheap on electronics stuff.

sorry for waiting thread space!

KingRazor · #6 02-01-2011, 06:39 PM

Even if they were $10 a pop that's pretty cheap. I understand some people are on a tight budget but really, I'm just thankful that pots are as cheap as they are.

madbassplaya · #7 02-01-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Even if they were $10 a pop that's pretty cheap. I understand some people are on a tight budget but really, I'm just thankful that pots are as cheap as they are.

i know what you mean, when you're fixing multiple basses it adds up.

mmbongo · #8 02-01-2011, 06:43 PM

I use Bourns pots. Better than CTS, priced like the cheapies

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/...EE03=03_KNURLA

kb9wyz · #9 02-01-2011, 06:58 PM

Guitar Electronics™ has some great kits for bass and guitar. Great stuff, totally decent price. I got a kit with 2 CTS high precision pots, switchcraft jack, and 2 orange drop caps (.022 & .047) for $22. I'm dropping it into a severely low budget bass. I figured that a cheap bass still deserves better than the cheapest pots.

doktorfeelgood · #10 02-01-2011, 07:02 PM

I bought some CTS 250K mini-pots from Bass Parts Resource and just installed them in my Squier VM 70's P-bass. Also installed a Sprague 225P .047 Orange Drop cap, Switchcraft jack, and used cloth covered silver plated copper wire to hook it all up with and the bass, even with the stock pups sounds incredible now. The only thing I didn't like about the pots at first was they were split-shaft. I would have preferred solid shaft pots but they weren't available there. The price was right, the quality was right on and I couldn't be happier. Can't wait to gig that bass on Thursday night.
Check it out....they have 500K's as well.... )-(

http://basspartsresource.com/images/...P-5485-000.jpg

cassius987 · #11 02-01-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I use Bourns pots. Better than CTS, priced like the cheapies

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/...EE03=03_KNURLA

How are they "better than CTS"? Just wondering.

i_got_a_mohawk · #12 02-02-2011, 08:14 AM

I've used Alpha and CTS pots in the past, no issue with either!

mmbongo · #13 02-02-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassius987

How are they "better than CTS"? Just wondering.

Less friction, easier to solder, tighter tolerance.

cassius987 · #14 02-02-2011, 09:39 AM

I'm all about #3. #1, with CTS, I have found to be highly variable. #2... how?? Are the lugs tinned?

I wish Bourns made 300K pots with solid shafts, all I can track down are 250K and 500K. I'm making some passive wiring harnesses for Rickenbackers lately and those either use a 250K-V/500K-T setup, or more recently a 330K resistance across the board, which I prefer.

markanini · #15 02-02-2011, 03:16 PM

Just add a 750k resistor between the outer lugs and you've got a 300k pot..

mmbongo · #16 02-02-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassius987

I'm all about #3. #1, with CTS, I have found to be highly variable. #2... how?? Are the lugs tinned?

I wish Bourns made 300K pots with solid shafts, all I can track down are 250K and 500K. I'm making some passive wiring harnesses for Rickenbackers lately and those either use a 250K-V/500K-T setup, or more recently a 330K resistance across the board, which I prefer.

I say easier to solder because the backs are flat, and they grind them down so it's pure metal. Plus the lugs are spaced farther apart. It's not a huge deal, I'm fine with CTS as well but I'd rather have Bourns if possible.

BassLife77 · #17 02-02-2011, 06:34 PM

http://www.gpdusa.com/Electronics-Potentiometers.html