Volume knob with multiple detents?

KingRazor · #1 10-11-2010, 01:48 PM

Any of you know if I can get a volume knob that has multiple detents? Preferably 10?

elgecko · #2 10-11-2010, 01:50 PM

That sounds like a neat idea. BUMP for you!

SnakeKappele · #3 10-11-2010, 02:12 PM

Get something like this: http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...0594#tab=Specs
You said 10 but this goes to 11!

Get the resistors for the volume levels you want. Solder the resistors to the lugs (in any order you like, but best in order from highest to lowest resistance). Solder the other ends of the resistors together and to the volume out wire.

FunkMetalBass · #4 10-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Alpha makes 500k Linear pots with 11 detents. Mouser might carry them.

KingRazor · #5 10-11-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

Get something like this: http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...0594#tab=Specs
You said 10 but this goes to 11!

Get the resistors for the volume levels you want. Solder the resistors to the lugs (in any order you like, but best in order from highest to lowest resistance). Solder the other ends of the resistors together and to the volume out wire.

And that will work as a standard volume knob on a bass?

SnakeKappele · #6 10-11-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

And that will work as a standard volume knob on a bass?

Sure.

A potentiometer sweeps from a given resistance (say 250K Ohms) to 0 Ohms. A resistive material runs around the inside of the pot with a lug at each end. The center lug is connected to a sweeper arm that slides along the resistive material. If you start the arm at a lug you get no resistance and as you turn it the signal flows through more and more of the resistive material increasing the resistance to the maximum.

All your switch will do is quantize the resistance changes. There might be a noise as you click from one setting to another depending on the switch you get.

KingRazor · #7 10-11-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

Sure.

A potentiometer sweeps from a given resistance (say 250K Ohms) to 0 Ohms. A resistive material runs around the inside of the pot with a lug at each end. The center lug is connected to a sweeper arm that slides along the resistive material. If you start the arm at a lug you get no resistance and as you turn it the signal flows through more and more of the resistive material increasing the resistance to the maximum.

All your switch will do is quantize the resistance changes. There might be a noise as you click from one setting to another depending on the switch you get.

I'd like that to not happen if possible.

SnakeKappele · #8 10-11-2010, 05:01 PM

OK, let's try another way.

Get something like this: http://www.halder.de/produkte/artgro...bmenu=products

Drill a hole as close to the pot as you can and insert the spring detent unit. Get a knob wide enough to cover the detent and drill little recesses into the bottom edge of the knob where you want the volume knob to click.

SGD Lutherie · #9 10-11-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Alpha makes 500k Linear pots with 11 detents. Mouser might carry them.

What he said. These are fairly common parts.

The problem with using resistors is you will have to calculate the taper that works best. Also invariably you will find you want to be between two settings. 11 clicks is pretty low resolution for a volume control.

FunkMetalBass · #10 10-11-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

What he said. These are fairly common parts.

The problem with using resistors is you will have to calculate the taper that works best. Also invariably you will find you want to be between two settings. 11 clicks is pretty low resolution for a volume control.

But something like a 41-detent pot would be copious amounts of overkill (why even get one with detents at that point?). And 11 clicks on a 300-degree rotation is 30-degrees of separation (only an addition of 25k/50k per click depending on the pot value that you get).

Truthfully, I think that it would be the better option if you're requiring detents. Any in-betweens can be easily compensated by your amp.

KingRazor · #11 10-11-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

What he said. These are fairly common parts.

The problem with using resistors is you will have to calculate the taper that works best. Also invariably you will find you want to be between two settings. 11 clicks is pretty low resolution for a volume control.

I doubt that'll be a problem. I usually use my volume knob as an on/off switch anyway.

darkstorm · #12 10-11-2010, 06:52 PM

Why would you want such? A numbered knob like the standard black speed knobs makes much more sense imo.

SnakeKappele · #13 10-11-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I doubt that'll be a problem. I usually use my volume knob as an on/off switch anyway.

Why not replace it with an on off toggle then.

Wait, why do anything?

KingRazor · #14 10-11-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

Why not replace it with an on off toggle then.

Wait, why do anything?

It would be cool? I just wanted to know that, should I decide to pursue this, what the best way to go about it would be.

KingRazor · #15 10-15-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

Why not replace it with an on off toggle then.

Wait, why do anything?

Also, I generally use it as an on/off switch, but there are plenty of times I like to turn the volume down a bit on the bass since I live in an apartment with thin walls. I can't play very loudly, turning down the volume on my bass allows me to still play through my amp at hours where that might not normally be acceptable.

What about using a rotary switch?

FunkMetalBass · #16 10-15-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Also, I generally use it as an on/off switch, but there are plenty of times I like to turn the volume down a bit on the bass since I live in an apartment with thin walls. I can't play very loudly, turning down the volume on my bass allows me to still play through my amp at hours where that might not normally be acceptable.

What about using a rotary switch?

I believe that was addressed in the first response. You'll have to get various resistors and solder them accordingly so that each position has the proper resistance.

For less than the price of the resistors, you can just buy a 500k linear 11-detent pot.

KingRazor · #17 10-15-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I believe that was addressed in the first response. You'll have to get various resistors and solder them accordingly so that each position has the proper resistance.

For less than the price of the resistors, you can just buy a 500k linear 11-detent pot.

Which of these would work?

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...hHazB3aydIo%3d

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...s%2fioJOdsA%3d

FunkMetalBass · #18 10-15-2010, 02:14 PM

The first one is a thumb wheel and wont have a shaft like a typical pot.

The second one will work just fine, but I don't see that it has detents?

KingRazor · #19 10-15-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

The first one is a thumb wheel and wont have a shaft like a typical pot.

The second one will work just fine, but I don't see that it has detents?

Those two were the only 500k linear taper Alpha pots they had in stock.

FunkMetalBass · #20 10-15-2010, 02:25 PM

I know I've seen the 250k or 500k pots somewhere.

I found 100k, so I'm getting close...
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=1030