Source for PEC 2w pots?

[kleinm]

I didn't know where to ask this question, but I thought this forum would be suitable since some of you dudes like the PEC pots in your 'wrecks.

Is there a dealer in the states that has adequate selection for the PEC 2W pots? The Metro Amp store has every value I'd need except for a 25kB. Banzai Effects in Germany has everything I could dream of and more (even dual-ganged PEC pots perfect for PPIMVs), but I'd like to avoid the shipping costs and the dwindling value of the American dollar. Other places I've found only have a few values in stock, or have longer shaft lengths. I've tried my standard suppliers and about 15 different Google searches, but I'm still drawing a blank.

Thanks in advance for any help, and feel free to move this to the proper forum if misplaced!

[glasman]

I didn't know where to ask this question, but I thought this forum would be suitable since some of you dudes like the PEC pots in your 'wrecks.

Is there a dealer in the states that has adequate selection for the PEC 2W pots? The Metro Amp store has every value I'd need except for a 25kB. Banzai Effects in Germany has everything I could dream of and more (even dual-ganged PEC pots perfect for PPIMVs), but I'd like to avoid the shipping costs and the dwindling value of the American dollar. Other places I've found only have a few values in stock, or have longer shaft lengths. I've tried my standard suppliers and about 15 different Google searches, but I'm still drawing a blank.

Thanks in advance for any help, and feel free to move this to the proper forum if misplaced!

NTE blister pack parts use PEC as their supplier. You might just find is as an NTE part.

Mouser or digi-key also used to sell them.

Gary

[gearhead]

http://www.tedss.com/

Have used them before, but am going to give the Apex Jr Bourns pots a whirl.

[billyz]

Digikey has them.

http://www.digikey.com

I recently found some PEC 2 watt pots at Fry's electronincs for $6.95 ea. 5kb

[joebob]

This site has the PEC pots: www.allenamps.com

This one something similar: http://chappellamps.com/

Dave

[joebob]

This site seems to have some nice 2w pots too, not sure if PEC.

http://westlabs.com/Frames.HTML

Dave

[fishy]

Cheapest place I have seen PEC has been Frys but they only seem to stock linear stuff. If there is one near you it is worth a look before ordering from anywhere else.
Going from memory, Tedss were cheaper than Digikey

Westlabs sells Clarostat, I prefer the PECS. They feel better to me.

Allyn reported the pots at Apex were fine and they are way cheaper than anything else I have seen for a 2W pot. Haven't tried any yet though. For the price, they seem like a no brainer.

Pete

[kleinm]

Man, thanks for the quick help guys.

I don't know how I missed PEC on Digikey!

[Ron Worley]

TEDSS are the cheapest reliable supplier I've found, but they only have the "D" shaft length, which is (I think) 5/8" versus 1/2"... but no biggie.... they claim that this is all that is being produced these days for RV4 applications.

I have some of Steve's (ApexJr) Bournes pots, but I just don't feel right putting them into an amp that I've spent ~$1K putting together.... They are certainly no worse than the pots that KF appears to have used and I hate spending $50 versus about $9 on pots..... BUT, the PECs are just sooo nice......

Ron

[Fischerman]

It only hurts once Ron!

And think about it...$1000 vs. $1041...is it really that big of a difference...especially when pro-rated over the life of the amp? It's less than a penny per day!

$41 / 20 years = $2.05 per year
$2.05 / 365 days = $0.0056
So it's actually closer to a half a penny per day.

[kleinm]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm looking at a 250kA dual-ganged pot for a modified version of the Trainwreck "Type 2" PPIMV. The PEC version is $33 from Digikey. But man...do I not want that pot to fail! Extra reliability and peace of mind will be worth it in the long run, I think.

[jaysg]

NTE blister pack parts use PEC as their supplier. You might just find is as an NTE part.

Mouser or digi-key also used to sell them.

When I bought parts for my Liverpud, I got the PEC linear pots from Metro. I bought audio taper Clarostats from West labs. If mouser has the NTE's that's probably the best deal.

[rooster]

Yeah, let me add to this about the Bourns pots... They are pretty damn good. Chinese, yes, but I have tried them and they are definitely quieter than the PECS that I bought labeled 'Allesandro'. I will use these first and be glad to do it.

Try them, Apex isn't paying me to say this.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I like the Bourns pots from apex jr too. I've only used them for some prototyping and such thus far but they measure within a decent tolerance, have a good taper, and seem pretty rugged for the price. Since I've been using them in stuff that's being tweaked they've seen a soldering iron a good bit more than once and have held up well. And I should add that Steve's not paying me to say this either, I pay him. The only vested interest I have in spreading the word on these is to keep apex stocking them and to keep bourns making them. I wouldn't say they're superior to pec but they are very, very good for the price.

[Ron Worley]

Don't get me wrong.... Steve's a great guy, and I intend to add his stuff to the BOM (if I ever get off the road.... I'm writing this on a Sunday night in Tokyo...). I haven't even really tried the pots- I bought several sets from him because the price was so reasonable. I am sure that they are at least as good as the stuff KF appeared to use. Chinese doesn't scare me anymore- I played some china-built set neck Tokai and Edwards axes this weekend here in Japan, and (other than perhaps the electronics) they were very, very nice- $370 for an SG? It was all I could do not to buy about 3 guitars...

However, I am with Fischerman here.... $40 more in pots an a $1K BOM is not the end of the world, particularly when everything else that goes in to the damn thing is absolutely top notch... But, perhaps it could be an option if a friend wanted the cheapest amp cost possible... damn the thought....

Ron