dating vintage PRS pot - how do I date a BA08 pot? These pots are found on 80s and maybe 90s PRSi.

[Sir_Ricardo]

How do I date a BA08-code pot? These pots are found on 80s and maybe 90s PRSi.

 

[Warmart]

You start by trying to get it's attention, spin it back and forth with a loving touch, say nice things about how well it spins. Mention how you've been looking for a pot just like it, for oh so long. Gauge its response and possibly ask it to dinner.

 

[Sir_Ricardo]

Walmart, the pot is coming on to me, it's getting uncomfortable.

But in any case, if anyone knows, let me know.

There is no doubt some way of dating these old PRS pots, I just don't know how.

 

[theDeepender]

Walmart, the pot is coming on to me, it's getting uncomfortable.

But in any case, if anyone knows, let me know.

There is no doubt some way of dating these old PRS pots, I just don't know how.

I guess I’m confused as to why we want to find that on the pot when it is so much easier to use the serial number.

 

[SinSir]

A couple pics and all the markings on the pot might help?

 

[Sir_Ricardo]

You guys, it won't help if I post photos. These are old PRS pots, and either you know how to date them, or you don't. For example, let's say I had an old CTS post. You or I don't need to see it to date it. The CTS code is 137, and the 2 or 4 digits following the code are the date.

 

[Sir_Ricardo]

I guess I’m confused as to why we want to find that on the pot when it is so much easier to use the serial number.

What serial number? This is a pot I'm trying to date, not a guitar.

 

[SinSir]

You guys, it won't help if I post photos. These are old PRS pots, and either you know how to date them, or you don't. For example, let's say I had an old CTS post. You or I don't need to see it to date it. The CTS code is 137, and the 2 or 4 digits following the code are the date.

I've been in your shoes, dating pots. I was researching the wrong imprint to find my answer.. searched the right one and it was all clear.

Like a quick look at the numbers provided and references say Bourns 82.. I didnt dig deep and so dont think thats the answer but its not unreasonable to want to have all the data before my internet opinion.

 

[Collywobbles]

All the 80s PRS I've owned that hadn't had any pot changes had Cetralab pots in them - so its the same as a CTS pot but using Centralab's manufactue code (134) instead.

Here's one from a 1985 pre-Standard - code is 1348518

134 (Centralab)
85 (Year)
18 (The week in 1985 the pot was made).

In my opinion they're very very nice pots- the one in my much abused '88 Sig still works fne. Gibson used Cetralab in the 50s. JB feels they're important.... HERE

Bonamassa explicitly states, “What people don’t realise about old Gibsons is a significant part of the sound is not in the pickups, but in the pots”. He attributes a “nice clean, clear open sound” to the smooth taper of vintage pots working with lower output pickups and military-grade wire and capacitors. You can buy vintage 500k Centralab pots on Reverb and so forth, but they tend to be highly priced and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be working properly.

 

[SinSir]

All the 80s PRS I've owned that hadn't had any pot changes had Cetralab pots in them - so its the same as a CTS pot but using Centralab's manufactue code (134) instead.

Here's one from a 1985 pre-Standard - code is 1348518

134 (Centralab)
85 (Year)
18 (The week in 1985 the pot was made).

In my opinion they're very very nice pots- the one in my much abused '88 Sig still works fne. Gibson used Cetralab in the 50s. JB feels they're important.... HERE

Bonamassa explicitly states, “What people don’t realise about old Gibsons is a significant part of the sound is not in the pickups, but in the pots”. He attributes a “nice clean, clear open sound” to the smooth taper of vintage pots working with lower output pickups and military-grade wire and capacitors. You can buy vintage 500k Centralab pots on Reverb and so forth, but they tend to be highly priced and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be working properly.

Great post! Exactly this.. OP notice a BA08 on there too but the 1348518 is what matters.

 

[Sir_Ricardo]

Great post! Exactly this.. OP notice a BA08 on there too but the 1348518 is what matters.

Yes, I see that now. My pots have BA08, with a 583 manufacturing code. Now that I know I'm supposed to be looking at the 583, not the BA08, I see that my pots are dated 1991 and 1990.

thanks guys!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I don't bother remembering pot date codes anymore. I just ask @QueenCityGuitars . He knows that stuff like the back of his hand.