"Long life" Bourns Pots

[yurka]

Anyone try the PDA24 series? They look nice, specifically designed for guitars and amps. They are a step above the solid shaft bourns pots from AES. Also very affordable, 2-3 bucks a pot on Mouser.

http://www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/PDA24.pdf

[diagrammatiks]

they are alright. the 94/95 are better.

[Structo]

I bought the Bourns pots from AES and they have no rotational torque.
I believe they are made for guitar use, but I didn't like them
Some may like that on a guitar but for an amp they felt terrible.
They have no printing on the back.

Apex Jr. sells the ones with more torque but the solder lugs look different than those.
They are kind of square looking.
These have the full Bourns name on the back.

According to that data sheet, those have a B on the back.

I suppose it depends on what the vendor orders and what torque specification they ask for.

The problem I always have with Mouser is sometimes if you don't enter the exact correct search terms, you won't find what you are looking for.

[sonicmojo]

I did the same thing with AES. Mouser just started carrying a few values of the Bourns and I got a some 1M that are good and seem to be higher torque than the Apex Jr ones. Just make sure you get the right "high" torque. I like them since they have longer sleeves for faceplates.

[sliberty]

Similar experience with Apex and AES (CE actually). Also, the low torque ones had aweful tapers. And, also, the different types had different shaft lengths, which can be very annoying if you end up with a mixture. It is really odd that they are producing so many similar pots with such different characteristics. As a result, I won't buy them now, because I am concerned about which ones I'll end up with.

[VacuumVoodoo]

These are made by CTS in Taiwan. The low torque ones are based on CTS pots for joysticks. Specs look like CTS slightly relaxed non-airborne mil spec. Don't ask how I know this....

[ApexJr.]

Anyone try the PDA24 series? They look nice, specifically designed for guitars and amps. They are a step above the solid shaft bourns pots from AES. Also very affordable, 2-3 bucks a pot on Mouser.

http://www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/PDA24.pdf

I have 2 types in stock right now.

My newest order from Bourns I purchased the PDA241 series
in 1 Meg Audio, 250K Linear, and 5K Linear
These are like the link posted above

My 1st batch I still have in stock are the PDB241 series
in 25K Linear, 100K Linear, 250K Audio, and 500K Audio
These are the ones with the square solder lugs

both types are made for guitar amps and not guitars

Prices are $1.89 ea and mix or match in 100 quantity $169.00

Steve @ Apex Jr.

[yurka]

they are alright. the 94/95 are better.

At 5 times the cost, Id really hope so.

[diagrammatiks]

there's like barely any difference between all of the 2 dollar pots being made.

[M Fowler]

I'm confused again which ones are the 94/95 version and where are they sold?

I have a bunch of Steve's Apexjr Bourns pots and they work well.

Mark

[diagrammatiks]

mouser sells the 94/95.

Although, the bourns that Steve sells are great for that type of pot and they are cheaper then anywhere else.

Steve also sells sealed rv4s for not much more.

[C Moore]

there's like barely any difference between all of the 2 dollar pots being made.

Is there ANY difference.? .....as far as "quality" and longevity.?
Some of the Bourns have a shaft so long that I have to take a Dremel to them.....or the knobs stick up off the face plate a long way.

What accounts for the nice torque (stiff) on some of the pots.? Is it just some lube on the shaft.?
Thank You

[M Fowler]

What I like about Apexjr's Bourns pots are the 3/8 mounting hole and long 3/8 threads for when a faceplate is used.

They match the CTS and Alpha I get from mojo in size.

Mark

[sliberty]

What I like about Apexjr's Bourns pots are the 3/8 mounting hole and long 3/8 threads for when a faceplate is used.

For me, that is the only reason to buy them. But due to the inconsistancies in torque and shaft size, I have gone to Alpha 3/8" pots instead. Not available in all values, but most.

[M Fowler]

I do like the mojo custom CTS and matching mojo custom Alpha pots the best.

Mark