Pots - Purchasing Voume and Value

[Runewalker]

Because I am trying to move through all my projects I find myself needing a number of pots. After adding things up I see the relatively inexpensive pot component start adding up when you buy alot. I guess it's that math thing.

Anyway, what are the big differences between the no-name chinese pots and the name (CTS, etc) pots.

Am I compromising significant quality with going with the cheapo stuff.

I need some regular 500K audios, some push-pulls (500K) and some 500k blends.

The source with the least expensive cummulative price is UniversalJems. On a spot basis - Ebay. Then there are some "buy by the lot" Chinese suppliers on ebay.

Any sources for quality, inexpensive parts?

[erikh]

Allparts or Small Bear Electronics. Don't skimp on the price and get the cheapo stuff. You'll regret it. The quality of the CTS and even Alpha pots are far superior to the cheap Chinese ones.

[GuyaGuy]

people often complain about "cheap pots" from china, taiwan, and korea. they claim that their sweep isn't as smooth etc. personally, i've never had a problem like that with cheapies--or at least no more than with more expensive ones. maybe i've just had good luck. the only other problem would be build quality, i.e. how long they'll hold up.
www.tubesandmore.com has perhaps the largest selection of pots, many dirt cheap.

[Runewalker]

Ok. Two complete and diametrically opposing opinions. While entertaining to watch I am hoping for some objective, tested information.

What about range, sweep, smoothness, longevity, attenuation evaluations based on objective testing. Anyone run accross these. Perhaps these are more engineering level questions, and we as guitarist all have qualitative biases, but I am really trying to understand where the additioal value is in the additional cost for a CTS and Alpha pot. Or is it marketing and branding?

A secondary question is are the quantifiable, durability or qualitative differences between the full size and 'mini' pots.

[erikh]

I prefer the larger pots over mini pots myself unless I'm craming them in to a small cavity.

My experience with the cheaper brands hasn't been so lucky. Sure, they work well at first, then they start to crackle, and then just give out. I've put CTS pots in two of my guitars already and the taper is so much smoother and they just feel durable. Plus, the cheaper brands total resistance may not be very accurate. Even though it may say 500K, some may be 480K, 490K. I actually have measured one that said 500K on it and my meter measured 450K...now that is way off. All the CTS or Alpha pots I've gotten have been within 5, sometimes 3 ohms of the actual stated value.

Guyaguy may have a good source of quality low cost pots. I haven't tried them from there personally. Wouldn't hurt to try a small batch to see what they're like. For your "must have working when needed" guitars, put the CTS pots in just to be safe. Not one has failed me yet.

[GuyaGuy]

ErikH is right about the ohm readings of cheap pots. i didn't think of that. some cheap ones i've had were off too. OK so other than THAT i've not had any problems!

[bam]

Second that !

[Runewalker]

bam:

Second what --- variable resistence readings or no probs with cheapos?

[bam]

second for the ohm readings and "some cheap ones i've had were off too"

[jdtogo]

I see it as you paid good money for a guitar and you want it to do the best for you . buy the best you can . but if you have some old guitars around and just want to get them up and running or just trying some new wiring thing on them buy the cheap pots .like ErikH said have one guitar with all the best parts in it you can .

[Runewalker]

Here at least is someone who has attempted a somewhat objective eval, with defined parameters ---although he is not without subjective opinions:

www.harpamps.com/micKdiy/Available-Pot-Evaluation.html

He does not seem to think much of CTS and selects Alpha (Xicor).

I have seen Alpha in 500K lots of 10 at $0.96/ Whoa.