Bourns pots?
- Thread starter Adieu
- Start date
Re: Bourns pots?
I believe Adieu was asking about the A vs B in PDA / PDB. They do specify at the end of the item number eg PDA 241 504A for audio, 504B for linear.
@Adieu PDA is long life, rated for 200000 turns, vs PDB, rated for 15000 turns. So I don't think it's merely the tolerance?
I believe Adieu was asking about the A vs B in PDA / PDB. They do specify at the end of the item number eg PDA 241 504A for audio, 504B for linear.
@Adieu PDA is long life, rated for 200000 turns, vs PDB, rated for 15000 turns. So I don't think it's merely the tolerance?
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Re: Bourns pots?
I'm not sure on the Bournes and Alpha, but the CTS have several different casings at the very least. The Dimarzio custom CTS are yet another, although I have no idea if they vary internally, they are at least slightly different looking (have the indented-style/sunken back) and selected for tight tolerance.
I've had a few types of the CTS and still prefer the guitarelectronics customs overall. (this was years ago, they might not have those same units anymore)
https://guitarelectronics.com/cts-500k-audio-taper-pro-guitar-pot-w-brass-shaft/
I'm not sure on the Bournes and Alpha, but the CTS have several different casings at the very least. The Dimarzio custom CTS are yet another, although I have no idea if they vary internally, they are at least slightly different looking (have the indented-style/sunken back) and selected for tight tolerance.
I've had a few types of the CTS and still prefer the guitarelectronics customs overall. (this was years ago, they might not have those same units anymore)
https://guitarelectronics.com/cts-500k-audio-taper-pro-guitar-pot-w-brass-shaft/
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Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Bourns pots?
FWIW I am a big fan of Bourns pots. First tried them about a year or two ago and they are now currently in over half my guitars.
FWIW I am a big fan of Bourns pots. First tried them about a year or two ago and they are now currently in over half my guitars.
Re: Bourns pots?
Also be aware that the Bourns pots, even the ones that are 24mm, have 18 spline shafts (coarse knurling) and won't fit the U.S. spec knobs that are fine splined. You have to buy new knobs if you are replacing CTS or others that have the fine knurled shafts and knobs. StewMac does sell the coarse spline fitting knobs that will fit the Bourns pots. And Bourns does, as some have noted, make pots with a tighter feel, as well as loose turning and super-loose turning pots. The loose feeling ones are the ones made for Duncan and EVH specifically. Even the EVH pots come in two types, loose turning and ones with tighter turning. I assume the A and B types are A for log pots and B for linear pots.
Al
Also be aware that the Bourns pots, even the ones that are 24mm, have 18 spline shafts (coarse knurling) and won't fit the U.S. spec knobs that are fine splined. You have to buy new knobs if you are replacing CTS or others that have the fine knurled shafts and knobs. StewMac does sell the coarse spline fitting knobs that will fit the Bourns pots. And Bourns does, as some have noted, make pots with a tighter feel, as well as loose turning and super-loose turning pots. The loose feeling ones are the ones made for Duncan and EVH specifically. Even the EVH pots come in two types, loose turning and ones with tighter turning. I assume the A and B types are A for log pots and B for linear pots.
Al
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Bourns pots?
Do you have a link to the exact Bourns PDB181 and Bourns PDA181 pots you're looking at? All the ones I see there in the 20% tolerance that I would considering using for guitar are over 2 and 3 bucks for one, naturally less for 10-49. The ones I'n looking at have brass threads and shorter shaft. I'd love to find a deal for less than a buck per pot but only of they will be applicable without cutting the shafts shorter.
Do you have a link to the exact Bourns PDB181 and Bourns PDA181 pots you're looking at? All the ones I see there in the 20% tolerance that I would considering using for guitar are over 2 and 3 bucks for one, naturally less for 10-49. The ones I'n looking at have brass threads and shorter shaft. I'd love to find a deal for less than a buck per pot but only of they will be applicable without cutting the shafts shorter.
mojosman
New member
Re: Bourns pots?
That's an excellent point. When I put my 50's Tribute Les Paul together with a 50's wiring harness from Tone-Man which had the Bourns pots, the stock Gibson knobs I bought went on, but didn't seat properly and were too high up on the shaft with IMO too much gap between knob and guitar. Tone man sent me knobs that fit properly and look great. Problem solved but something to think about if you use these pots.
That's an excellent point. When I put my 50's Tribute Les Paul together with a 50's wiring harness from Tone-Man which had the Bourns pots, the stock Gibson knobs I bought went on, but didn't seat properly and were too high up on the shaft with IMO too much gap between knob and guitar. Tone man sent me knobs that fit properly and look great. Problem solved but something to think about if you use these pots.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Bourns pots?
I guess this is till on-topic: Has anyone seen these Bourns Sean Silas signature series.pdf pots? I've never heard of Sean Silas, so I'm not sure what makes these "signature" pots, but I ordered a set of 4 anyway, to see what they're all about. I like that one of their "features" is that they're "Suitable for use as a volume control."
I guess this is till on-topic: Has anyone seen these Bourns Sean Silas signature series.pdf pots? I've never heard of Sean Silas, so I'm not sure what makes these "signature" pots, but I ordered a set of 4 anyway, to see what they're all about. I like that one of their "features" is that they're "Suitable for use as a volume control."
Re: Bourns pots?
The datasheet thats available on mouser or digikey etc. contains better description of the potentiometer as per the part no. I've attached a screenshot of a page from the datasheet that helps to know what your getting.
Bourns have various series, the cheap PDB183(?) or something don't have a long life if I remember right. And most of the 500k PDB or PDA pots that I've received from mouser have been around 449k-470k range, none were 500k or above. Alpha pots that I got from amazon last year had similar mechanism structure as the the PDA or PDB built format & were actually much close to 500k or 510k.
The datasheet thats available on mouser or digikey etc. contains better description of the potentiometer as per the part no. I've attached a screenshot of a page from the datasheet that helps to know what your getting.
Bourns have various series, the cheap PDB183(?) or something don't have a long life if I remember right. And most of the 500k PDB or PDA pots that I've received from mouser have been around 449k-470k range, none were 500k or above. Alpha pots that I got from amazon last year had similar mechanism structure as the the PDA or PDB built format & were actually much close to 500k or 510k.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Bourns pots?
It's hard to say such and such brand is good while such and such other brand is not. They are pretty much all just companies that make a wide product range, from bad to good, and often to the specs of a client.
That said, I've had good luck with my Bourns pots, though my experience is limited to a few orders of their push-pulls, ordered from Mojo Music.
I love the feel of the Alpha pots I've ordered from C.E. Distribution/Amplified Parts. They are probably the best bang for the buck, as they are super cheap. I can tell by handling them that they are more cheaply made...but I haven't had a single problem with them, so what the heck?
I've had more CTS pots crap out or act up on me than any other brand...but that's likely just because I've *by far* had more CTS pots than any other brand.
But again, most of these companies will make a range from crummy to ok, or even good sometimes, so it's hard to generalize entire brand names.
It's hard to say such and such brand is good while such and such other brand is not. They are pretty much all just companies that make a wide product range, from bad to good, and often to the specs of a client.
That said, I've had good luck with my Bourns pots, though my experience is limited to a few orders of their push-pulls, ordered from Mojo Music.
I love the feel of the Alpha pots I've ordered from C.E. Distribution/Amplified Parts. They are probably the best bang for the buck, as they are super cheap. I can tell by handling them that they are more cheaply made...but I haven't had a single problem with them, so what the heck?
I've had more CTS pots crap out or act up on me than any other brand...but that's likely just because I've *by far* had more CTS pots than any other brand.
But again, most of these companies will make a range from crummy to ok, or even good sometimes, so it's hard to generalize entire brand names.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Bourns pots?
Due to space constraints I got a bunch of really tiny sealed Bourns pots for the amp I'm making, also some small sealed Alp's (Japanese) ones for volume . Considering their size they have a surprisingly 'solid' feel when you turn them, smooth & pretty stiff (what I like for amps) ..hope they last :lmao:
I also have some Bourns push-pulls in a couple of guitars & they're built like tanks. Really big solid looking things. They work great too. Sadly they don't seem to be around anymore..I can't find any.
..otherwise most of my guitars have Alpha pots in them & I like those just fine :bigthumb:
Due to space constraints I got a bunch of really tiny sealed Bourns pots for the amp I'm making, also some small sealed Alp's (Japanese) ones for volume . Considering their size they have a surprisingly 'solid' feel when you turn them, smooth & pretty stiff (what I like for amps) ..hope they last :lmao:
I also have some Bourns push-pulls in a couple of guitars & they're built like tanks. Really big solid looking things. They work great too. Sadly they don't seem to be around anymore..I can't find any.
..otherwise most of my guitars have Alpha pots in them & I like those just fine :bigthumb:
Re: Bourns pots?
Bourns push pulls are all over the place, in the USA anyway. Even Amazon has them for about 5 bucks. I bought 10 x 500K's a couple years back for 3 bucks and change each at Mouser. A little harder to find but they also have 1meg push pulls. I have one in an amp.
Bourns push pulls are all over the place, in the USA anyway. Even Amazon has them for about 5 bucks. I bought 10 x 500K's a couple years back for 3 bucks and change each at Mouser. A little harder to find but they also have 1meg push pulls. I have one in an amp.
Ayrton
New member
