Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: J Rindt on January 22, 2011, 07:50:23 pm

Title: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: J Rindt on January 22, 2011, 07:50:23 pm: Doug sells 2 of these. The CTS is twice the price of the Alpha. All other CTS and Alpha Pots are about the same price. Any of you guys have any experience with these.?
Thanks
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: sluckey on January 22, 2011, 08:05:31 pm: I've used lot's of switch/pots before, but not those particular ones. You did notice that the Alpha switch opens when the shaft is rotated max CCW and that the CTS switch is push/pull operated?
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: J Rindt on January 22, 2011, 08:23:06 pm: Quote from: sluckey on January 22, 2011, 08:05:31 pm
I've used lot's of switch/pots before, but not those particular ones. You did notice that the Alpha switch opens when the shaft is rotated max CCW and that the CTS switch is push/pull operated?
Yeah, thanks. I would rather have the "turn to make it go on" pot anyway. Was just wondering why there is such a large price gap compared to the others. Looks like the Alpha wins both times for me.
Thanks Again
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: PRR on January 22, 2011, 11:07:20 pm: > why there is such a large price gap

23 billion radios were made with turn-to-click volume controls. I remember that the snap-on switch used to cost 6 cents in quantities.

Pull-switch pots were never that common, and require more complex shafting.

And retail pot-prices are largely arbitrary. If you order a truck-full you get a decent price. When you order one from a guy who buys a few dozen at a time, prices will be all over the map. Sometimes he must order 1,000 even if he will only sell 300. And other times you find a guy who has 700 leftovers he will never be able to unload who would rather have a buck, any buck, now.
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: J Rindt on January 22, 2011, 11:56:46 pm: PRR -
Those are good/interesting points that we do not normally consider. The funny thing is, all I need is a rotary On/Off switch. Not sure if those are even made any more. I assume either the Alpha or CTS are designed with Mains Current in mind.
Thanks
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: rafe on January 23, 2011, 02:46:45 am: I have used the alpha from Doug in an old 30's type amp as a replacement. On off and volume, works as it should.
Yes it's an on off switch with a pot stacked under it.....
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: HotBluePlates on January 23, 2011, 09:47:54 am: Quote from: J Rindt on January 22, 2011, 11:56:46 pm
The funny thing is, all I need is a rotary On/Off switch. Not sure if those are even made any more.

Sure they are. You just have to buy from a big electronics distributor (or maybe from a specialty retailer, like a vintage pro audio dealer) and figure out what part meets your needs.
Title: Re: 1M Pot + On/Off Switch
Post by: jojokeo on January 23, 2011, 10:02:25 am: Radioshack used to sell just the switch to make any of their pots switchable. I've still got a couple in a bag of pot stuff.