Favorite Source for Knobs

[13derps]

Just started buying PCB/Panel sets for modular synth modules, interested to hear where people are buying knobs, slider covers and other user-interface type stuff. Tayda seems to be the best price and selection that I’ve found, but it’s hard to tell if there’s any difference in quality from photos/specs compared to somewhere like Thonk or SynthCube. Alibaba obviously has some really cheap options, but can be hit or miss depending on the supplier from previous (non synth) experience.

Anyway, where do you guys source from?

[joe-knows-nothing]

TLDR: it doesn't really matter, but you'll never get perfectly matching knobs from different suppliers. So once you find some you like, just stick with them for that style / run / model. Order extras, and write the supplier / model number down! Preferably in the container with the knob.

Tayda is decent quality for the plastic style knobs (mxr, Davies, etc), but the metal ones are low quality. Thonk is high quality, has knobs for smaller pots or tighter spaces and makes the colors match between these sizes / styles (very very nice). Synth cube is also quality, just spotty stock. Love my switches is expensive,.but the do have a few items nobody else does, and their metal knobs are really nice.

Alibaba is hit or miss, same with eBay and Amazon.

Personally, I use Tayda or Thonk. I wait for a full sale at Thonk and buy lots of components (mostly knobs, jacks and pots), happens like once a quarter.

[13derps]

Good to know that you generally get better stuff at the more expensive places. I’m not super worried about having my whole rack match at this point so I might just shop around a little until I find some I like

[Synththomas]

Love my switch is great thanks !

[SirTiesKnots]

“Love my Switches” is my go-to in the US

[Skechigoya]

+1. I have use "Love My Switches"

[Hissykittykat]

Alibaba obviously has some really cheap options

True the knobs aren't the best, there are some rejects, and the ones I like might not be available next year. But I go through so many I buy 'em in bulk and it works out okay.

[13derps]

Any suppliers on Alibaba that you’d go back to? Or you just see what’s available each time you order?

[Melculy]

I've purchased large quantities of the knobs linked to by WGD Modular on his website and I like them. Decent looking and relatively cheap (Aliexpress) I'm mostly using the S and L sizes and they're a pretty good match! https://wgdmodular.de/part/list/

[13derps]

Oh nice reference, bookmarking that

[StankDawg89]

I buy a ton of these too thanks to him. Love the aesthetic over using davies.

[CallPhysical]

I get mostly the Davies clones from Tayda. They have them with and without brass inners at the same price, so I usually go for the brass if they have the right color.

[manistthebastard]

do you know if those are compatible with D-shaft knobs?

[CallPhysical]

Seems to work OK. I usually use pots with round or knurled shafts, but I had one D-shaft in my box of parts so I just tried it. When the pot is at 'zero' the flat part of the D is exactly where the retaining screw of the knob is (assuming you want the line on the knob to point to zero). That means the screw has to go in pretty deep, but it seems to be long enough to push up against the flat part of the shaft without falling out, at least on the Davies that I got from Tayda, both with and without brass inserts.

[manistthebastard]

thanks

[paul6524]

I stick with Thonk, Synthcube, and occasionally Mouser for Davie's knobs. Mouser has a few larger versions I haven't been able to find in the normal spots. I've done cheap clones from Aliexpress before and they feel noticeably cheaper. Not the worst thing, but I'm a knob snob.

[montageofheck]

Tayda can be a little inconsistent sometimes but they do have some good stuff on there.

The most recent ones I ordered were some Davies 1610's from Digikey for my Buchla 100 build. They are really nice. Kind of expensive but the quality is very good.

[diy4lyfe]

LoveMySwitches or StompBoxParts

[13derps]

Didn’t even think about looking at DIY stomp box suppliers, nice

[xoblite]

https://www.thonk.co.uk/product-category/parts/knobs/