Pioneer A-88x Bass Pot & Knob

[GAP_FL]

Just had my Pioneer A-88x repaired and refreshed. It's back in its hole, driving a pair of Boston A-150s quite nicely, thank you very much.

Unfortunately, my FedEx driver apparently used to work for Samsonite as a luggage tester. I need a Bass adjustment pot and knob (upper left in the pic). In transit, it got walloped hard enough to gouge the aluminum knob and bend the shaft of the pot. To Pioneer's credit, it doesn't appear to be affecting performance in any way, as it still functions (I use Line Direct mode for the most part, anyway.). My picture-straightening OCD is in panic mode. Can anybody point me to an exact replacement?

 

[62vauxhall]

Someone with first hand knowledge would be ideal but if you have not done so, the service manual at HiFi Engine identifies it as Pioneer part #ACT-189 and describes it 50K Ohm dual pot.

You may be on your own, checking inside the amp itself for shaft shape/diameter/length and how it is mounted - soldered pins into the board or tabs from the pot itself with wires attached. If soldered pins, spacing will be important.

A long shot, but you might get lucky with AudioProz. I did twice when I needed an obscure part. If you knew the physical characteristics, you could search Mouser, Digikey etc. for a 50K Ohm dual pot that will fit. Or repeatedly scour e-bay for someone parting out one of those amps.

Any vintage service shops near you? I've found them loath to sell a salvaged part but every so often, they cut something loose.

 

[waggs098]

Some of those pots can be straightened. If you pull the knob off and the shaft is the split type find something that fits in the slot tight to keep it spaced properly, then use something like a hollow 1/4 in nut driver that just fits over the shaft then try to bend it back being very careful not to go to far. Being bent back and fourth will eventually snap it.

If you get it straight then all you need is the knob. You could color the knob with fingernail polish to get rid of the silver spot till you find one.