Replacement pots for Marshall 8100

[DankStar]

So I'm trying to bite the bullet and have all the pots on my Marshall 8100 replaced. This seems to be such a common problem that I would imagine any around that haven't had them replaced suffer pot issues like mine.

This place has 'em, but they are like $5/ea (http://www.amprepairparts.com/marshallpots.htm). So for 13 pots, that's $65 right there (about $10 more with shipping), plus my tech's time charges.

Do you guys know of a cheaper supplier, or a suitable alternative?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Replacement pots for Marshall 8100

First, try and drench them with contact cleaner and turn each one 50 times, back and forth. Use real contact cleaner - Deoxit. It's surprising how often it saves you from having to buy and install new pots.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Replacement pots for Marshall 8100

Update: got the amp back from my tech. Some pots had been replaced in the past apparently, some were the totally wrong nominal value, and several were totally broken (loose solder connectors, dead spots, etc.). Turns out I bought a lemon (it was a CL deal back in Atlanta), but the price was pretty good even with the pots issue. Live and learn I guess.

The new pots are super sturdy (the kind that feel smooth and slightly stiff when you turn them, not all loosey goosey). They appear to be an upgrade from original. The amp sounds killer - blows me away how punchy and crunchy it is. Why they stopped making this amp is beyond me.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Replacement pots for Marshall 8100

That's pretty rare that a used Valvestate would have unoriginal pots in it, but at least it's been corrected now.

I was going to suggest not going cheap on the pots, and it looks like your tech did the right thing.
I'm thinking of changing the ones in my 84 JCM800, because it's the only thing that differentiates it from a brand new amp. I recently got some replacement Marshall knobs from tubedepot, and it really made the vintage Marshall look brand spankin new.