Help please to ID the maker of these pots

Studio1 · 11th January 2012, 09:35 AM

Attached is a photo of one of several pots I need replacements for.

I would like to try to identify the manufacturer of these. You can see the logo in the photo. It's a circle with a stylised S in the centre, almost like a cat's-eye.

Does anyone know who this logo belongs to?

Enzo · 12th January 2012, 12:31 AM

Pots are very rarely generic. They are almost always custom made for the manufacturer of the unit. If you get the Alps catalog, you will see a chart of numbers, and certain digits refer to the overall size, some to the shaft size, some the shaft type, some the bushing, some the addition of a support bracket, some the number of wafers (yours appears to be a dual pot, is it?), many other things, and of course value and taper. All that allows you to make up a part number that specifies your needs, and they then make the pots to order.

Point being, that dual 100k, solid shaft 12mm or whatever part, won;t be off-the-shelf, in all likelihood.

WHat is it out of?

Studio1 · 12th January 2012, 02:56 AM

Hi Enzo,

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, it would seem these pots are 'custom' made for the client at the time.
These ones are out of an audio processor (compressor/limiter).

The one shown in the photo is a 100k dual gang, with detents for the full 270° travel, a round shaft with a flat on one side (as opposed to a fluted shaft, and the shaft is quite short at 12 mm long.

I have looked at various different pot suppliers - Alps, Sonar, Bourns and others. I've also looked at the offerings from RS Components, Jaycar, Element14 and several independent electronics wholesalers.

I can get replacements from the manufacturer of the processor, but they want a small fortune just for one pot.

The reason that pot looks so odd is that both the wafers have been snapped off.

Enzo · 12th January 2012, 10:40 AM

Oh I instantly recognized the snapped-off wafers. Been there.

Dual 100k, I got lucky.

And the detents make it even more special. When you look at suppliers like Mouser and the other houses you list, they may stock generic pots from those makers. A general line of for example 16mm pots would be a common item. But dual with detent, etc, not likely. SOunds like small fortune to me.

Would that be a hifi brand or pro audio brand? Is the part dear because it is going down under, or are they just screwing you over?

Studio1 · 18th January 2012, 11:59 PM

Hi Enzo,

It's out of a professional audio unit (peak limiter).

The price of $15 ea does not include postage, that is extra.

I have found the manufacturer of the pots. It is Noble in the USA.
I checked their website and they don't list pots with full detents as being a stock item, so it appears these ones are custom made for the company.

That could be a reason why they are so dear.

JoelS · 19th January 2012, 05:26 PM

$15 doesn't sound so bad. I have been quoted over $50 for custom pots before, there are even many off the shelf units at Mouser for much more than $15. if you can get it from the OEM, seems to me like they are doing a favor, not a rip-off.

john dozier · 19th January 2012, 06:37 PM

+10

pinkmouse · 19th January 2012, 07:00 PM

Yup, you could spend hours searching catalogues and websites and still not come up with anything that would match. How much is your time worth?

19th January 2012, 06:37 PM	#7
john dozier diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: columbia sc	+10 __________________ Evil looms. Cowboy up. Kill it. Get Paid.

19th January 2012, 07:00 PM	#8
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Yup, you could spend hours searching catalogues and websites and still not come up with anything that would match. How much is your time worth? __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

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12th January 2012, 12:31 AM	#2
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Pots are very rarely generic. They are almost always custom made for the manufacturer of the unit. If you get the Alps catalog, you will see a chart of numbers, and certain digits refer to the overall size, some to the shaft size, some the shaft type, some the bushing, some the addition of a support bracket, some the number of wafers (yours appears to be a dual pot, is it?), many other things, and of course value and taper. All that allows you to make up a part number that specifies your needs, and they then make the pots to order. Point being, that dual 100k, solid shaft 12mm or whatever part, won;t be off-the-shelf, in all likelihood. WHat is it out of?

12th January 2012, 02:56 AM	#3
Studio1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Hi Enzo, Thanks for your reply. Yes, it would seem these pots are 'custom' made for the client at the time. These ones are out of an audio processor (compressor/limiter). The one shown in the photo is a 100k dual gang, with detents for the full 270° travel, a round shaft with a flat on one side (as opposed to a fluted shaft, and the shaft is quite short at 12 mm long. I have looked at various different pot suppliers - Alps, Sonar, Bourns and others. I've also looked at the offerings from RS Components, Jaycar, Element14 and several independent electronics wholesalers. I can get replacements from the manufacturer of the processor, but they want a small fortune just for one pot. The reason that pot looks so odd is that both the wafers have been snapped off.

12th January 2012, 10:40 AM	#4
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Oh I instantly recognized the snapped-off wafers. Been there. Dual 100k, I got lucky. And the detents make it even more special. When you look at suppliers like Mouser and the other houses you list, they may stock generic pots from those makers. A general line of for example 16mm pots would be a common item. But dual with detent, etc, not likely. SOunds like small fortune to me. Would that be a hifi brand or pro audio brand? Is the part dear because it is going down under, or are they just screwing you over?

18th January 2012, 11:59 PM	#5
Studio1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Hi Enzo, It's out of a professional audio unit (peak limiter). The price of $15 ea does not include postage, that is extra. I have found the manufacturer of the pots. It is Noble in the USA. I checked their website and they don't list pots with full detents as being a stock item, so it appears these ones are custom made for the company. That could be a reason why they are so dear.

19th January 2012, 05:26 PM	#6
JoelS diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York New York	$15 doesn't sound so bad. I have been quoted over $50 for custom pots before, there are even many off the shelf units at Mouser for much more than $15. if you can get it from the OEM, seems to me like they are doing a favor, not a rip-off.

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