Best potentiometer brand - Alpha, CTS or PEC?

[Doug H]

wow, I htought the PECs were supposed to be the cat's ass, learn something new every day.

[V8]

wow, I htought the PECs were supposed to be the cat's ass, learn something new every day.

I like the PEC's , quality exceeds cts & alpha IMO (providing you don't F em up chopping down the shaft )and they are popular with Wreck builders but I do find it interesting these guys can hear a difference. Follow your ears I guess

[BrianH]

I have PECs in my JTM45 clone and it's the best-sounding amp I've ever heard

[V8]

Brian,

Sweet build, that lacing kills me mustard's don't hurt either.I guess the pots can sound different but it comes down to the sum of the parts and personal preference .
How do you have the buss bar attached?

[BrianH]

Thanks! I just have the buss there, pot grounds soldered but the buss is not soldered to the back of the pots. Works well on this amp, it's the quietest amp I've ever owned as far as background noise and I've had a few! With controls at zero you wouldn't know it's on even with your head at the speakers. Zero noise. Very organic sounding so I can't imagine fooling with it any further.

Must be the clapton knobs

http://kurtsequipment.com/jtm45/jtm45clapton1.jpg

[mwm523]

Ooooohhh, I like those Clapton knobs... Vintage or repro?

[myfoot]

+1 gimme gimme

[BrianH]

Vintage, almost identical to the real deal. Got them from a guy on the plexipalace forum. PM me for details if you want a set and I'll pass the info along.

[V8]

I just have the buss there, pot grounds soldered but the buss is not soldered to the back of the pots.

Cool, I'll have to try that. where the knobs man?

[Doug H]

so what about bourn pots?
http://www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/PDB24.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bourns.com/data/global/pdfs/PDA24.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
the audio taper ones are only 1/4 watt tho

[Roe]

I've been changing from cts to alpha. like larry, I prefer the sound of the alphas. due to their CC construction, the alphas have a warm and tad distorted tone

[shakti]

So does anyone know which composition original Marshall plexi pots were?

[paulster]

They'd have been carbon tracks for certain.

No flashy conductive plastic pots in those days!

[novosibir]

They'd have been carbon tracks for certain.

No flashy conductive plastic pots in those days!

Correct - CC plated hard-cardboard!

Larry

[shakti]

According to the blurb in the store, the CTS are the "closest to the CTS type found in Marshalls from late '67 and on".

Did Marshall change the brand of pots in late '67?

I'm trying to decide which pots to put in which amp. I'm currently building a black flag (mid 67 style) and have a full set of both Alpha and CTS pots. Should I go with Alphas for that one and put the CTS in an upcoming 12-series build, then?

I know I'm splitting hairs here, but that's half the fun...