Discussion:
Maestro Boomerang Pot Replacement
(too old to reply)
adam79
2012-07-27 14:11:07 UTC
Permalink
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?

Thanks,
-Adam
b***@gmail.com
2012-07-28 01:48:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
5 watt pot? I don't think so. Its .5w (half watt). Find a 25k audio taper in an old mixer that's be'n robbed for parts. The old style CTS quarter sized pots will hold up better. You'll have a hard time findin' a mil spec "sealed" 25k in audio taper.
adam79
2012-07-29 21:41:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@gmail.com
5 watt pot? I don't think so. Its .5w (half watt). Find a 25k audio taper in an old mixer that's be'n robbed for parts. The old style CTS quarter sized pots will hold up better. You'll have a hard time findin' a mil spec "sealed" 25k in audio taper.
Huh. When first researching the pot problem I found a website that has
some info on the topic.. cleaning the orig pot, replacing it, etc. I've
been emailing with him and he told me it was a 5 watt pot.

I've been looking everywhere it's really hard to find a 25k pot w/ a S
or audio taper.. they're all linear. I know it doesn't meet the specs,
but I wanted to try something, so I went and bought this pot on eBay:
http://r.ebay.com/1PTWHi. Hopefully it'll work.
adam79
2012-07-30 01:55:07 UTC
Permalink
Apparently in his experience with the BG-2, a 5 watt pot will last longer.
Post by adam79
Post by b***@gmail.com
5 watt pot? I don't think so. Its .5w (half watt). Find a 25k audio
taper in an old mixer that's be'n robbed for parts. The old style CTS
quarter sized pots will hold up better. You'll have a hard time
findin' a mil spec "sealed" 25k in audio taper.
Huh. When first researching the pot problem I found a website that has
some info on the topic.. cleaning the orig pot, replacing it, etc. I've
been emailing with him and he told me it was a 5 watt pot.
I've been looking everywhere it's really hard to find a 25k pot w/ a S
or audio taper.. they're all linear. I know it doesn't meet the specs,
http://r.ebay.com/1PTWHi. Hopefully it'll work.
b***@gmail.com
2012-07-30 03:40:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
Apparently in his experience with the BG-2, a 5 watt pot will last longer.
Utter horseshit. The pot is part of an audio filter....there's no current there to speak of. What makes a pot last longer in this application is build quality. The 2w pots used in some wah pedals aren't used because of the wattage rating, but because of mechanical reliability.
Flasherly
2012-07-30 04:06:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
Post by b***@gmail.com
5 watt pot? I don't think so. Its .5w (half watt). Find a 25k audio taper in an old mixer that's be'n robbed for parts. The old style CTS quarter sized pots will hold up better. You'll have a hard time findin' a mil spec "sealed" 25k in audio taper.
Huh. When first researching the pot problem I found a website that has
some info on the topic.. cleaning the orig pot, replacing it, etc. I've
been emailing with him and he told me it was a 5 watt pot.
I've been looking everywhere it's really hard to find a 25k pot w/ a S
or audio taper.. they're all linear. I know it doesn't meet the specs,
but I wanted to try something, so I went and bought this pot on eBay:http://r.ebay.com/1PTWHi. Hopefully it'll work.
Measure the resistance across the legs and buy both linear and audio
to try;- or pickup a ganged two stage pull/push, and maybe modify it
for either (if enough room behind the faceplate). There's some really
high-end stuff out there for fail-safe type operation especially in
geetars, or, as always, both good quality, regarded electronics brand
parts if not snake oil.
b***@gmail.com
2012-07-28 01:50:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
One of the 25k pots EMG supplies with thier p-ups should do in a pinch....
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
Dave M.
2012-07-28 13:10:40 UTC
Permalink
Adam,

You can find the schematic here.
http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/diy/Schematics/Filters%20Wahs%20and%20VCFs/Maestro%20Boomerang%202.pdf
Like boardjunkie I see no reason for a 5 watt pot. That's just a 9 v
circuit. Any wattage should do. Find a pot that's fairly rugged, has similar
dimensions to the one you are replacing and the same number of rotations
(probably 1). Mouser has lots of these.

Dave M.
j***@gmail.com
2012-07-29 03:00:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
hi, i have spent the last couple years researching boomerangs, measuring the stock pots, etc. i have a replacement part, a sealed mil spec pot that i have found to be the closest replacement possible, i alter it to work in the boomerang. shoot me a message, i will be glad to help. ***@gmail.com you can hear over 20 videos that relate to boomerangs at my youtube channel, 'joegagan'
Lord Valve
2012-07-30 15:39:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
Pretty sure I have what you need, NOS, genuine OEM part.

Bears manuf/date code of 1378139, part #925-010694.
1" long slighty flatted shaft, 3/8" bushing 1/2" long, solder
terminals stick straight out. Make me a disgustingly huge
offer I can't refuse.

Lord Valve
Expert (eat me)
303-778-1156
Lord Valve
2012-07-30 16:09:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lord Valve
Post by adam79
I have a Maestro Boomerang BG-2 that needs a replacement pot. The only
25k 5 watt pot (stock specs) is a linear taper; I need an audio or S
taper. The pot in these pedals is infamous for failing, and also for
being nearly impossible to replace. Has anyone had any luck finding a
replacement pot that works?
Thanks,
-Adam
Pretty sure I have what you need, NOS, genuine OEM part.
Bears manuf/date code of 1378139, part #925-010694.
1" long slighty flatted shaft, 3/8" bushing 1/2" long, solder
terminals stick straight out. Make me a disgustingly huge
offer I can't refuse.
Lord Valve
Expert (eat me)
303-778-1156
I also have some Alpha 25K audio.

SAE (3/8") bushing 9/32" long...but the 1/4" shaft is only
11/32" long. Could be rigged - maybe. These are cheap.
Of course, they're only specked for normal audio use, so
the rotational life may not be sufficient. Alpha may well
offer this with a longer shaft, but no distributor I'm aware
of carries it.

Lord Valve
Expert (fuck you)
adam79
2012-07-31 03:33:37 UTC
Permalink
I found this pot on eBay: http://r.ebay.com/kOQOGo. It's a PCB mount,
but they an be adjusted for soldering.
Post by Lord Valve
Post by Lord Valve
Pretty sure I have what you need, NOS, genuine OEM part.
Bears manuf/date code of 1378139, part #925-010694.
1" long slighty flatted shaft, 3/8" bushing 1/2" long, solder
terminals stick straight out. Make me a disgustingly huge
offer I can't refuse.
Lord Valve
Expert (eat me)
303-778-1156
I also have some Alpha 25K audio.
SAE (3/8") bushing 9/32" long...but the 1/4" shaft is only
11/32" long. Could be rigged - maybe. These are cheap.
Of course, they're only specked for normal audio use, so
the rotational life may not be sufficient. Alpha may well
offer this with a longer shaft, but no distributor I'm aware
of carries it.
Lord Valve
Expert (fuck you)
Joe Gagan
2012-07-31 14:17:36 UTC
Permalink
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
adam79
2012-08-01 06:22:28 UTC
Permalink
It's a S taper, right?
Post by Joe Gagan
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
b***@gmail.com
2012-08-01 18:04:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
It's a S taper, right?
S taper schmess taper. Its the *right* part....
adam79
2012-08-01 22:17:40 UTC
Permalink
I'm not questioning you, or the part. I'm just curious about the pot's
taper.
Post by b***@gmail.com
Post by adam79
It's a S taper, right?
S taper schmess taper. Its the *right* part....
adam79
2012-08-02 18:51:33 UTC
Permalink
Maestro must have had a surplus of CTS pots left over from the BG-1;
I've seen BG-2's with those CTS pots.. I'd guess that they were used on
the first production run of the BG-2 until they ran out. I also read
somewhere that the original Boomerang is the benchmark for all other
versions.

If all the pots are within 3% of 30k, why does the schematic have it
listed as 25k? As far as the 3/16ths shaft goes, are you saying that the
screw that holds the gear in place isn't long enough to secure itself on
the shaft?

Also, if Lord Valve is reading this, I'm still interested in one or two
of the OEM pots you have. Just waiting on a price quote.

Thanks,
-Adam
Post by Joe Gagan
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
Lord Valve
2012-08-02 18:55:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
Maestro must have had a surplus of CTS pots left over from the BG-1;
I've seen BG-2's with those CTS pots.. I'd guess that they were used on
the first production run of the BG-2 until they ran out. I also read
somewhere that the original Boomerang is the benchmark for all other
versions.
If all the pots are within 3% of 30k, why does the schematic have it
listed as 25k? As far as the 3/16ths shaft goes, are you saying that the
screw that holds the gear in place isn't long enough to secure itself on
the shaft?
Also, if Lord Valve is reading this, I'm still interested in one or two
of the OEM pots you have. Just waiting on a price quote.
Thanks,
-Adam
Post by Joe Gagan
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
Sorry -

Cats who knew what I had have bought all I'm willing to part with.
g***@gmail.com
2014-11-28 14:44:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lord Valve
Post by adam79
Maestro must have had a surplus of CTS pots left over from the BG-1;
I've seen BG-2's with those CTS pots.. I'd guess that they were used on
the first production run of the BG-2 until they ran out. I also read
somewhere that the original Boomerang is the benchmark for all other
versions.
If all the pots are within 3% of 30k, why does the schematic have it
listed as 25k? As far as the 3/16ths shaft goes, are you saying that the
screw that holds the gear in place isn't long enough to secure itself on
the shaft?
Also, if Lord Valve is reading this, I'm still interested in one or two
of the OEM pots you have. Just waiting on a price quote.
Thanks,
-Adam
Post by Joe Gagan
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
Sorry -
Cats who knew what I had have bought all I'm willing to part with.
....two years later, is there any chance you may still have one' and that you would be willing to part with it? GC
Jeannie B
2022-03-22 20:45:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lord Valve
Post by adam79
Maestro must have had a surplus of CTS pots left over from the BG-1;
I've seen BG-2's with those CTS pots.. I'd guess that they were used on
the first production run of the BG-2 until they ran out. I also read
somewhere that the original Boomerang is the benchmark for all other
versions.
If all the pots are within 3% of 30k, why does the schematic have it
listed as 25k? As far as the 3/16ths shaft goes, are you saying that the
screw that holds the gear in place isn't long enough to secure itself on
the shaft?
Also, if Lord Valve is reading this, I'm still interested in one or two
of the OEM pots you have. Just waiting on a price quote.
Thanks,
-Adam
Post by Joe Gagan
the pot you linked to above has a 3/16ths shaft, the gear will not fit that shaft without a bushing.
the original centralab taper ( and the CTS of the BG1 that preceded it) is a non-standard taper. audio taper is not correct. it will provide an accent in the high-mids as opposed to the low-mids accent of a classic BG2. also, 25k will not give full treble, the stock centralabs i have analyzed are all within 3% of 30k.
Sorry -
Cats who knew what I had have bought all I'm willing to part with.
....two years later, is there any chance you may still have one' and that you would be willing to part with it? GC
I know this is an old conversation, but I just found (2) of these pots marked 1378139 925-010694 my Dad had in an envelope marked New. I am happy to sell them and willing to send pictures to anyone interested? Thanks
Joe Gagan
2012-08-03 03:54:48 UTC
Permalink
there were never CTS pots used in production BG2s, according to richard mintz. his company built every single BG2. please, can you link to the photos of original BG2s that have CTS pots?

replacement parts are another story altogether, i have no info about this, except to say that i once serviced a 72 boomerang that had a correct centralab part with a '77 date code. i assume that someone had the 72 serviced by an authorized dealer who had access to the correct part.

why do they measure 30K? i don't know. but at least 10 originals fall into this pattern.

a 3/16ths diameter shaft will require some sort of rigging so that the 1/4" hole on the round gear will work.

i offered you a very fair price to provide you with a working, durable pot specially prepared to work in a boomerang, you said my price was too high.
i have a special testing rig and have collected data on at least a hundred pots for wah. who pays me for this research? i certainly don't make it up on a 6 dollar markup on a pot. all this, assuming my labor is 2.00 per hour for the prep work and mailing, not including the emails and paypal crap.

you will run into myriad problems trying to get an average log pot to work in a boomer. first off, it is a modified rev log. even harder to find than log.
second, the average taper will have insufficient travel at the treble end to allow the footswitch to engage without either damaging the pot or jumping a tooth, or both. the alternative is to leave it at less than full treble. which a 25k pot will not give you anyway ( problem #3)
4. bushing, shaft length all have to be long enough to work, or you have to find workarounds for those issues as well. 5. durability issues. 6. many pots, including the centralab originals sometimes have a defect in the trace, which causes a terrible static at the end of rotation. there are a few tricks to remedy this, but sometimes the pot simply has to have a compromised high end to avoid the noise. r mintz said that a large number of the original pots were unusable due to this defect.

another finding: the common trick of using a 100k wah pot with a 33k limiting resistor compromises the sound and foot feel. i have serviced many BG2s that came to me with this 'fix'. the limiting resistor exacerbates the kink in the sweep- it compresses it even further. you completely lose the expressive extended mid emphasis and sweet spot that boomers are famous for. there is more to this, but that is the cliff notes version.

sounds like you are doing your own research, this will be a fun experience, i am sure.
Joe Gagan
2012-08-03 03:59:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe Gagan
there were never CTS pots used in production BG2s, according to richard mintz. his company built every single BG2. please, can you link to the photos of original BG2s that have CTS pots?
replacement parts are another story altogether, i have no info about this, except to say that i once serviced a 72 boomerang that had a correct centralab part with a '77 date code. i assume that someone had the 72 serviced by an authorized dealer who had access to the correct part.
why do they measure 30K? i don't know. but at least 10 originals fall into this pattern.
a 3/16ths diameter shaft will require some sort of rigging so that the 1/4" hole on the round gear will work.
i offered you a very fair price to provide you with a working, durable pot specially prepared to work in a boomerang, you said my price was too high.
i have a special testing rig and have collected data on at least a hundred pots for wah. who pays me for this research? i certainly don't make it up on a 6 dollar markup on a pot. all this, assuming my labor is 2.00 per hour for the prep work and mailing, not including the emails and paypal crap.
you will run into myriad problems trying to get an average log pot to work in a boomer. first off, it is a modified rev log. even harder to find than log.
second, the average taper will have insufficient travel at the treble end to allow the footswitch to engage without either damaging the pot or jumping a tooth, or both. the alternative is to leave it at less than full treble. which a 25k pot will not give you anyway ( problem #3)
4. bushing, shaft length all have to be long enough to work, or you have to find workarounds for those issues as well. 5. durability issues. 6. many pots, including the centralab originals sometimes have a defect in the trace, which causes a terrible static at the end of rotation. there are a few tricks to remedy this, but sometimes the pot simply has to have a compromised high end to avoid the noise. r mintz said that a large number of the original pots were unusable due to this defect.
another finding: the common trick of using a 100k wah pot with a 33k limiting resistor compromises the sound and foot feel. i have serviced many BG2s that came to me with this 'fix'. the limiting resistor exacerbates the kink in the sweep- it compresses it even further. you completely lose the expressive extended mid emphasis and sweet spot that boomers are famous for. there is more to this, but that is the cliff notes version.
sounds like you are doing your own research, this will be a fun experience, i am sure.
one more thing. the CTS pot used in the BG1 was a chrome backed small-ish high grade pot, sealed. the change to centralab for the BG2 was a cost consideration.
adam79
2012-08-03 20:56:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe Gagan
i offered you a very fair price to provide you with a working, durable pot specially prepared to work in a boomerang, you said my price was too high.
oh, that was you that sent that email? i got it confused with someone
else that was trying to rip me off from craigslist..
adam79
2012-08-09 02:08:04 UTC
Permalink
I sent you an email w/ my PayPal info. Send me an invoice if you'd be so
kind. Thanks.
Post by adam79
Post by Joe Gagan
i offered you a very fair price to provide you with a working, durable
pot specially prepared to work in a boomerang, you said my price was
too high.
oh, that was you that sent that email? i got it confused with someone
else that was trying to rip me off from craigslist..
adam79
2012-07-31 03:29:37 UTC
Permalink
Is it a Centralab?
Post by Lord Valve
Pretty sure I have what you need, NOS, genuine OEM part.
Bears manuf/date code of 1378139, part #925-010694.
1" long slighty flatted shaft, 3/8" bushing 1/2" long, solder
terminals stick straight out. Make me a disgustingly huge
offer I can't refuse.
Lord Valve
Expert (eat me)
303-778-1156
Lord Valve
2012-07-31 15:04:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by adam79
Is it a Centralab?
Post by Lord Valve
Pretty sure I have what you need, NOS, genuine OEM part.
Bears manuf/date code of 1378139, part #925-010694.
1" long slighty flatted shaft, 3/8" bushing 1/2" long, solder
terminals stick straight out. Make me a disgustingly huge
offer I can't refuse.
Lord Valve
Expert (eat me)
303-778-1156
Um...

Do you understand what "NOS" and "OEM" mean?
Do you know how to read maufacturer and date codes?

Probably not. OK, in English - what I have are the
*ORIGINAL* BOOMERANG POTS, obtained as shop
spares stock over thirty years ago. They are absolute
fucking unobtainium - if there are three people on this
planet who have any of these besides me, I'll be
flabbergasted.

Clear?


Lord Valve
Expert (like it or not - and y'all know who you are, right?)
adam79
2012-08-01 03:40:17 UTC
Permalink
How much do you want for one? Or two if the price is right..

Thanks,
-Adam
Post by Lord Valve
Do you understand what "NOS" and "OEM" mean?
Do you know how to read maufacturer and date codes?
Probably not. OK, in English - what I have are the
*ORIGINAL* BOOMERANG POTS, obtained as shop
spares stock over thirty years ago. They are absolute
fucking unobtainium - if there are three people on this
planet who have any of these besides me, I'll be
flabbergasted.
Clear?
Loading...