why are 250k linear solid shaft pots so hard to find?

imamooc · #1 08-05-2010, 01:13 PM

if i recall correctly, it's better to use linear pots for volume? so why are they so hard to find? i seriously cant find any solid shaft 250ks, or at least any made by cts. do any of you guys know where to find them?

**line6man** · #2 08-05-2010, 01:24 PM

Linear pots are relatively rare, and so are solid shaft pots.

Is there any reason you have to have a solid shaft?

If a split shaft won't work for whatever odd reason, you can buy brass sleeves to convert a split shaft to a solid shaft.

I see a bunch of solid shaft 250K linear pots on Mouser, but I don't know what size shaft you need?

SGD Lutherie · #3 08-05-2010, 01:36 PM

http://guitarpartsresource.com/elect...fenderpots.htm

http://guitarpartsresource.com/electrical_ctspots.htm

tubby.twins · #4 08-05-2010, 01:40 PM

If you're willing to step away from CTS and try a smaller Bourns pot which matches your specifications, here is one that I've used. I've actually used several different pots from this series, and they work very well.

http://www.newark.com/bourns/91a1a-b...0mw/dp/62K3328

Part number: 91A1A-B28-B22L

The picture on the Newark website is WRONG. The pot is actually smaller and has a blue sealed plastic housing.

It has a solid shaft (1/4" diameter) which means you may need to find knobs to fit this. Most guitar knobs are meant for pots with 6mm shafts. Newark and Mouser Electronics are good sources, but they look more like pro audio knobs. I've also ordered guitar-style chrome knobs from other vendors, but I don't have the link handy at the moment.

I personally hate using the little sleeves over the split-shaft pots. They have never worked properly for me. Solid shaft pots are easier to install, in my opinion.

lowtide · #5 08-05-2010, 01:52 PM

ahem . . . http://www.buzzardsbass.com/electron...250k-pots.html

SGD Lutherie · #6 08-05-2010, 01:55 PM

I like those Bourns pots. I have some here... but they don't fit the Hipshot knobs I have.

jworrellbass · #7 08-05-2010, 02:41 PM

They got em, only in split shaft.
http://www.guitarelectronics.com/pro...ntrol-Pot.html

okcrum · #8 08-05-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

I like those Bourns pots. I have some here... but they don't fit the Hipshot knobs I have.

Oy, I bet you have the 6 mm to 1/4" mismatch going on.

SGD Lutherie · #9 08-05-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

Oy, I bet you have the 6 mm to 1/4" mismatch going on.

Yep. I can drill out the knobs I suppose....

imamooc · #10 08-05-2010, 03:12 PM

well, i wanted them for when i rewire my jazz bass, and i'd prefer that the knobs were set screw knobs... i might just have to go the brass sleeve route.

okcrum · #11 08-05-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Yep. I can drill out the knobs I suppose....

This also works for press on knobs.

No need to know how I know.

tubby.twins · #12 08-05-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Yep. I can drill out the knobs I suppose....

I did that once on a solid brass knob. I had to run the drill in reverse, otherwise the business end of the bit would snag on the knob and pull it out of my hand. And when it got hot, I had to dip it in a small bucket of ice water. But I did finish the job eventually.

Later that evening, I discovered that I could order knobs with the correct shaft diameter.

SGD Lutherie · #13 08-05-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubby.twins

I did that once on a solid brass knob. I had to run the drill in reverse, otherwise the business end of the bit would snag on the knob and pull it out of my hand. And when it got hot, I had to dip it in a small bucket of ice water. But I did finish the job eventually.

Later that evening, I discovered that I could order knobs with the correct shaft diameter.

These are aluminum. I did that with brass once. No fun.

But you have to use a drill press and vice.