Where can I buy Kustom amp parts?

[Axtman]

I am working on a new Kustom PA amplifier. One of the pots has gone bad. Where can I purchase a new one? Thanks!

[glebert]

You can try calling them and asking. They might try to push you to their service centers. I was actually surprised at how helpful they were to me when I was working on a Defender V100 amp about 5 years ago. I have no idea if they are still that way. https://kustom.com/contact-us/

[Randall]

You probably don't need to go through them to replace a pot. They don't make them, or have them special just for them. What brand, value and size is it? Figure that out, and order one thru one of the supply houses like Mouser or Newark.

[J M Fahey]

Please post a picture and state case diameter (or is it a square plastic pot?), pin to pin separation and shaft dimensions (does it take a special knob?)

As Randall said, the "electrical" part (resistance and taper) is no big deal but some "mechanical" spec might complicate things.

As in, say, the infamous Peavey "spider" pots where nothing else fits.

[Enzo]

Sorry to disagree Randall, but most OEMs DO custom order pots. That doesn't make them weird, they are just ,made to spec. If you look at the Alps catalog or the catalog of their competitors, you will find the catalog helps you generate a parts number. The various letters and digits specify the size, the length of shaft, the type of shaft, whether it has the side braces. It specifies the resistance and taper.

PV spider pots are a good example. But I have seen very similar spider pots in some Fender products. Look at the pots SLM used for years, with that odd bushing piece.

That said, some parts are pretty generic.

[Chuck H]

That said, some parts are pretty generic.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Replacing OEM with generic/off the shelf parts is often possible with some retrofitting. But there are times when it's trickier or even impractical. Best to at least look for the actual part first. If that doesn't work out you may be able to repair the part. Some pots are repairable. You may need to buy a pot that otherwise wouldn't fit and steal the resistance track wafer out of it and put it in the original part, or something like that. If that doesn't work out you can look at offerings most analogous to what you have and might offer the easiest retrofit.

It's rare that none of these solutions works.

[Steve L]

If you can give me the part number and possibly a picture, I may have the part you need.
I have hundreds of new old stock Kustom parts from the 60's to the 80's.

Steve

[Axtman]

This is the pot I need to replace. I believe it is a 1 Meg audio taper with plastic D shaft.

[Jazz P Bass]

That looks like a Bourns control.

[Enzo]

Looks like a 12mm pot.

[Chuck H]

Good eye Jazz. I looked at Mouser and they only have it in linear taper.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...52BGRbqw%3D%3D

I modified the part number search for an audio taper, but no dice.

If it's possible this control would work sufficiently with a linear taper (no difference in electronic function, only pot position) then the above link looks like it might drop right in. Maybe need to trim the shaft.?.

I'm going to use the audio taper part number and look around a little but don't hold to hope.

[Chuck H]

Ok... Mouser has it in 500k audio. In many circuits that could sub for a 1M. It's barely dependent on impedance ratios at that point and 1M could just be a "default" value.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...0aAiw_EALw_wcB

Still looking...

EDIT: Ok. Did all the looking I thought practical and it looks like the options for a plug in part would have to be a little "wrong" from Mouser. Either the linear taper 1M or the 500k audio taper. Otherwise you're looking at retrofitting some other 1M audio pot.

[Axtman]

Thanks guys! I have ordered a few from Ebay (yeah I know). I will keep you posted on the repair.

[Axtman]

Well the part was I received were EXACTLY what I needed. (Sorry I forgot to take a picture.) The pot fit right in and the Kustom powered mixer works just fine!

I was really worried that the I would never be able to find that part and I would have to send the PA to the electronics recycler.

[glebert]

I always enjoy fighting the trend to just dispose of something when it could be fixed. Good job!