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This is a copy of a thread I made in the diy forum, but I'd like to get actually get a reply. Hope it's ok.

So, I've got a Fat Sandwich on my board atm, and had almost forgotten about it's internal controls until yesterday. They have quite an effect on the overall sound, and I'd like to be able to use them without having to open the entire pedal. Would it be possible to just desolder the three pots, solder in some wire between the pots and pcb and then mount them in holes on the front panel? Maybe get some different pots?

This may be coming from the least technically knowledgeable dude here, but I'll give it a shot anyway...

In short: yes.

Someone else should chime in to suggest the right value for the pots though.

The values are most likely on the back of those trimmers. If you can get ones that can be wired versus board mounted, it'd be stupid easy to do. Any useful trimmer can be moved to a pot.

Alright thanks guys! I don't get why they placed them on the inside to begin with.

So from what I've read, you can replace it with the same value pot. So as long as you can get the value, it's simple and would just require a tiny bit of wiring. Are those three prong trimmers?

I also don't understand it. I think it's laziness on their part. If you put a fucking trimmer in something that is designed to be used by someone, well then it needs to be on the outside.

I think so.. they're connected by 3 small prongs on the side, and then 2 larger ones, but I don't think there are any leads on the pcb for those.

Yeah exactly. It also seems sorta counter intuitive, like why wouldn't you want the same pedal, but with a total of 8 knobs instead of 5, in your product line up? I know some people are scared of too many knobs, but still.

You could just cut the pots off, leaving the posts sticking out of the pcb. This way you don't have to desolder the pots, clear the holes, put wires back in holes etc. Then you can just wire the pots to the posts.

vbrans wrote:You could just cut the pots off, leaving the posts sticking out of the pcb. This way you don't have to desolder the pots, clear the holes, put wires back in holes etc. Then you can just wire the pots to the posts.

That's a pretty good idea

actualidiot wrote:

vbrans wrote:You could just cut the pots off, leaving the posts sticking out of the pcb. This way you don't have to desolder the pots, clear the holes, put wires back in holes etc. Then you can just wire the pots to the posts.

That's a pretty good idea

But will have a larger affect on resale value.

odontophobia wrote:

actualidiot wrote:

vbrans wrote:You could just cut the pots off, leaving the posts sticking out of the pcb. This way you don't have to desolder the pots, clear the holes, put wires back in holes etc. Then you can just wire the pots to the posts.

That's a pretty good idea

But will have a larger affect on resale value.

Versus leaving the pots where they are, or what do you mean?

Removing that type of trimmer and installing flying leads on a plated through board can be very difficult if you aren't experienced with rework. To be 100% honest since you created a thread asking if this can be done you should not be the person to perform the work. There may be room to install some Alpha 9mm pots under the rest of the board or possibly on the other half of the enclosure sticking out the side.

whoismarykelly wrote:Removing that type of trimmer and installing flying leads on a plated through board can be very difficult if you aren't experienced with rework. To be 100% honest since you created a thread asking if this can be done you should not be the person to perform the work. There may be room to install some Alpha 9mm pots under the rest of the board or possibly on the other half of the enclosure sticking out the side.

If I just cust off the pots, I'll have 9 points to solder on the board, with space around them. It'll be alright.
There's about 1cm of room between the pcb and the top.

actualidiot wrote:

whoismarykelly wrote:Removing that type of trimmer and installing flying leads on a plated through board can be very difficult if you aren't experienced with rework. To be 100% honest since you created a thread asking if this can be done you should not be the person to perform the work. There may be room to install some Alpha 9mm pots under the rest of the board or possibly on the other half of the enclosure sticking out the side.

If I just cust off the pots, I'll have 9 points to solder on the board, with space around them. It'll be alright.
There's about 1cm of room between the pcb and the top.

More then likly that will not be enough room. Your probably going to have to drill holes in the side.

Laowiz rehoused one for me a couple of years ago and he put the pots on the outside. He said it was a pain in the ass, if I remember correctly. Maybe something about it being a double sided PCB?

You guys are making me wanna pull this off so bad


Got any pics oldangel?