replacing pots

[Andrew707]

I picked up a piece of gear on ebay that needs a new pot. I checked all the local stores but haven't found exactly what I need. I got one that looks close, but the rotary shaft is too long.

I basically need a 50k output gain potentiometer for a Symetrix 501. Does it need to be an audio taper, or does it matter?

Would any of you guys know where I can find something like this online?

[The Scum]

Give Mouser.com a try. Use their PDF catalog, and look for Alpha and Bourns pots, see of anything looks about right.

As for the taper, it could be log, linear or even reverse-log. If the old one is at least somewhat functional, you can take it out and measure it. If it's not, the Alpha pots are cheap enough that you could get a log and a lin, and see which one performs better in the circuit.

Any chance you've got a schematic?

[Andrew707]

No schematic, but maybe there's one online. I'll have to look around. The old pot is still functional, but it cuts out between +6 and +12. I tried to clean it with Caig, which helped a bit, but I might as well just replace it, if I can.

Thanks.

*edit*

found a schematic.

[Andy Peters]

No schematic, but maybe there's one online. I'll have to look around. The old pot is still functional, but it cuts out between +6 and +12. I tried to clean it with Caig, which helped a bit, but I might as well just replace it, if I can.

Thanks.

*edit*

found a schematic.

I've looked far and wide for exact replacement pots for my 501 and haven't found anything. They're not in the Noble catalog and nothing in the Digikey, Mouser or Newark catalog matches.

Not a surprise, though. I looked for replacement pots for a dbx gate and couldn't find a match, either.

-a

[Andrew707]

Anyone know what the difference is between 50kA and 50KB?

Is the A and B in reference to taper?

I found some Alpha pots on Mouser. They look like what I need and according to the schematic I need a 50kB. Whatever the B means.

[Andrew707]

I've looked far and wide for exact replacement pots for my 501 and haven't found anything. They're not in the Noble catalog and nothing in the Digikey, Mouser or Newark catalog matches.

Not a surprise, though. I looked for replacement pots for a dbx gate and couldn't find a match, either.

-a

That's a little discouraging, but I'll settle for close enough. If I can get it.

Thanks.

[bipedal]

Anyone know what the difference is between 50kA and 50KB?

Is the A and B in reference to taper?


Yep, pot taper is indicated as follows:

A = Audio (log) taper
B = Linear taper
C = Reverse log taper

I've never messed with the innards of recording gear, but I have built or modded a bunch of stomp boxes -- I've had great success buying pots (and other parts) from Small Bear Electronics.

I stumbled upon this nice pot "primer" awhile back -- as an electronics newbie, I found it really helpful: http://sound.westhost.com/pots.htm

Cheers,

- Jay

[Andrew707]

Yep, pot taper is indicated as follows:

A = Audio (log) taper
B = Linear taper
C = Reverse log taper

I've never messed with the innards of recording gear, but I have built or modded a bunch of stomp boxes -- I've had great success buying pots (and other parts) from Small Bear Electronics.

I stumbled upon this nice pot "primer" awhile back -- as an electronics newbie, I found it really helpful: http://sound.westhost.com/pots.htm

Cheers,

- Jay

Awesome! Thanks, Jay!

[peterc]

Andrew707

Did you try Symetrix for a replacement pot? www.symetrix.com

There is a manual here:

http://support.symetrixaudio.com/cgi-bi ... _topview=1

or here:

http://support.symetrixaudio.com/cgi-bi ... _topview=1

Regards
Peter

[Andrew707]

Thanks, Peter. I hadn't considered checking with Symetrix.