new pots - the dunlop one

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

I got a new 470K dunlop pot for my EB VP

I had to solder the wires to the terminals, as I couldn't get the "bullet" connectors

now its all in, but its scratchy from the get-go

do these pots 'run in' and smooth up, or might I have damaged the pot by soldering the wires on?

does anyone have this experience?

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

Jeremy,

Second point first... When I installed my Dunlop pot I got from Tom Bradshaw, there was no "run in" or "break in period". Possibly a bad pot.

First point last... Just for reference, no right or wrong. I've always liked the way the older Ernie Ball pedals had the pots installed, using the "Staycon" connectors. When my second pot, an Allen Bradley, went bad and I received my Dunlop pot, I was disappointed that it did not have the "Staycon" type tabs on the pot.

My solution... I took an old pot and cut the tabs off as long as I could. (Right down to the pot body) Then using a pair of dykes (Nippers), I cut a slit in the tab at the pot end. It was tedious but doable. The result was three tabs that I was able to install on the Dunlop by bending the slit around the posts on the pot and soldering them in place. Because I could do this on the bench and not in the pedal, there was less danger of over heating the pot post and damaging the pot. I oriented them all in one direction like the Allen Bradley pot and then installed it in my pedal. The process didn't take any longer then installing the pot in the pedal by just soldering it in. The original integrity of the pedal was kept and the pot installed like the old pots, wires just push on.

Sorry this turned out so long, might help another in the same situation. My best to you, Dick Sexton

Ray McCarthy · From: New Hampshire, USA

I installed a Dunlop pot in my EB pedal, and it seemed to have a little "scratch" about halfway through the travel. Since it was my backup pedal I just put it aside and kind of forgot about it. Some time later I looked at the pot as I pushed the pedal down and noticed that the pot was loose--moving slightly as it turned. I tightened it up and voila!--no scratch! Been fine ever since.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Tom Bradshaw · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

Hey guys, if one of my pots is scratchy, tell me and return it. I'll pay the freight both ways. Nothing made is always perfect. I've shipped over 2,000 of these pots. I may have had 15 returned. I sent the buyers another one and every customer said the problem was solved. Interestingly, one fellow had a scratchy pot, I replaced it, it was scratchy too, he looked for other issues and found that the guitar he was using caused the problem.

I've checked every pot that has been returned. Only about 3 had scratchy problems that I could hear. But, the customer was happy with the replacement, so all was well. My supplier will replace every pot I return to him without question. So, it isn't much of a loss to me (a little postage!). I appreciate a satisfied customer more than his just being a customer.

I guarantee these pots for a year. I've been selling them for 5 years now. Only one person has had to buy a replacement. I'm beginning to think this product is too good if I've only had to replace one because it wore out.

So please, let me know if you have a problem with anything I sell. I'll make it right. ...Tom

P.S.: When wiring the pots, make a loop in the wire and crimp the wire to the soldering posts, then apply the solder. Use rosin core solder, not acid core. As all know, I replace the PEC pots in the Goodrich pedals I sell with the Dunlop pot. I don't have a problem getting the solder to stick to the pots. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Randy Wade · From: Batesville, Arkansas, USA

I put a Dunlop pot in my Goodrich with no problems and I am satisfied with it. Soldering is a skill, maybe even an art and it takes practice to develope. Get yourself a 25 or 30 watt iron to do this job, not a 300 watt soldering gun, some small diameter rosin core radio/tv type solder and maybe practice soldering on some small hookup wire first. Tin your wire first before soldering and always keep your tip clean with a damp sponge and don't forget to tin the tip. Don't use too much solder and make it look pretty and shiny and you won't have a cold solder joint.

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

1. I didn't buy my pot from Tom

2. Dick Sexton's suggestion sounds like a good one - thanks Dick

3. Ray's point is worth a check too (I remember I didn't have the right deep socket to get that nut nipped up properly)

I had better start a new separate toolbox - with "EB pedal tools" written on it

Thanks for your input fellas, I'll get back if there's any news

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

When soldering sensitive items, there is something called a "heat sink".
It soaks up the excess heat that might damage a component. This might be beneficial to this application.

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

I recently installed one of Tom's Dunlop pots in my 120. I had the same problem as Ray, with the same symptom on the first test, but tightened the nut after resequencing the lock washer - everything's been fine after that. It seems to be a very good replacement pot. (and thanks Tom)

Gianni Gori · From: Livorno, Italy

I just replaced the scratchy Clarostat pot of my Goodrich L120 with one of the two Dunlop Hot Potz-II that Tom Bradshaw sent me. It's great!
The shaft rotation is maybe a lil' bit harder than the Clarostat, it seems it allows a better control.
No problems while soldering it. As Tom suggested in the provided instrction sheet, it just takes a wire loop around the pin...

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Gianni Gori · From: Livorno, Italy

It could help melting some solder on the pin and on wire before joining them.
On some plated connectord it also may be helpful scratching the metal a little bit before soldering.

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

BEST Corporation takes the mystery out of the preferred soldering technique for posts and turrets of the type used on the Dunlop pots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZmTkwTcC6Q&feature=related

Notice the cleaning technique described and used, also the tinned wire and placement of the iron. If it's good enough for NASA, I'll will trust it in my volume pedal. Winking

Gianni Gori · From: Livorno, Italy

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

Thanks Dick, very good info. I noticed on the pots I got from Tom, it seemed to require a little more heat than normal, but I had no problems. I soldered close to the turret base and had to grind off a little of the end with a Dremel to get clearance in an Emmons pedal.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

Clyde, I forget sometimes after having worked with this stuff so long, that not everyone has. This info is as good today as it was when the Corps sent me to Micro Min Soldering school many years ago. Wish I could play as well as I can solder. Thinking on your feet in a pinch to make things work, like the Dremeling the Dunlop to make it fit in your Emmons pedal. I never looked at it as a gift, but it is. Hope you and the Carolina guys are doing well. DS...

Rick Winfield · From: Pickin' beneath the Palmettos

I got my "pot" from Tom Bradshaw. Had to solder the wires, and play with the string, but all in all, when finished, my "uesd" Goodrich 120 never sounded so good !
I think you've got a "bad" one.
Rick

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

I don't know that I necessarily got a bad one

I knew the lock nut was perhaps not properly nipped home, as I didn't have the right size deep socket, and had to do it up as best I could with long nose "vise grips"

I will pull it apart and measure the locking nut on the pot and get the right size socket

will let you know how it goes

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I just put a Dunlop pot in my backup pedal last week. It sounds great. I had trouble soldering and the pot took a lot of heat but it's working great. No scratches and sounds real good. This might become my primary pedal while my LDR-2 becomes the backup. Nice not to have to deal with the wal-wart.
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps

Bill Rowlett · From: Russellville, AR, USA

Tom is certainly an up front guy to deal with. I ordered one of the Dunlop pots from him via email and he had it to me in three days. Every experience that I've had with him has been a pleasure. I highly recommend him as a supplier, plus he has several extra steel related specialty items.

Bill

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