Centralab Pots Are Being Reissued (Update: Don't Buy Them)

[ReWind James]

It looks like the new centralab pots are out now. Has anyone been able to try them out yet?

https://jacksonelectronicluthier.com/

There's some threads around the internet running for several years long where that seller has stolen money from many buyers and never shipped. I guess, if you have to risk it, go through Reverb and not direct to have some protection.

 

[ChevChelios]

Hi all, this is Sebastian, owner of VIP.

From the looks of it, these are rebranded Alpha pots. I wonder if Rand licensed the Centralab name from WD Music (who own the trademark)? We stopped supplying him with VIPots once we started to get a whole lot of complaints about him - and we will not supply him in the future either.

So please be warned: every JEL listing showing our VIPots will never be made or delivered.

He also blatantly "stole" and modified our data/graph with the custom taper (yes, VIPots are made by Bourns, but they are custom pots with unique carbon tracks and other unique features).

Look familiar?
From his Reverb listing:


From our website


He swears, though, that he made the graph himself with data he collected ... that tells you everything you need to know about this guy. I'll be checking with our lawyer to see if and how we can take action against this.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Getting hard for good hearted guitar players to survive in this current generation of scam and hustlers.

 

[metropolis]

He swears, though, that he made the graph himself with data he collected ... that tells you everything you need to know about this guy.

Even though it's quite blatantly the wrong font used where he pasted over 'VIP pots' on the chart legend?

Thanks for posting the truth over here and keeping this community well informed. Good luck with the battles against shady people!

 

[NickiC]

Getting hard for good hearted guitar players to survive in this current generation of scam and hustlers.

I haven’t had a single bad transaction, cap, pot or switch from RS Guitarworks for over the past 10years. #1 A+

 

[ReWind James]

Looks like those “Centralab” pots are appropriately available from the present owner of the name, WD Music.

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

www.wdmusic.com

So, if you want to try the new Alpha pots without giving your money to a seller with a rep for stealing people’s money, and who apparently also took credit for WD’s new product, you can just get them direct from WD.

 

[xxedgexx]

Looks like those “Centralab” pots are appropriately available from the present owner of the name, WD Music.

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

www.wdmusic.com

So, if you want to try the new Alpha pots without giving your money to a seller with a rep for stealing people’s money, and who apparently also took credit for WD’s new product, you can just get them direct from WD.

Interesting. I had issues with this person and had to get my money back through Reverb. A bit reassuring to see I’m not the only one to experience issues.

 

[Gregeatworld]

Interesting. I had issues with this person and had to get my money back through Reverb. A bit reassuring to see I’m not the only one to experience issues.

Same here. I had to contact reverb customer support in order to get a refund from him.

 

[Dave P]

Looks like those “Centralab” pots are appropriately available from the present owner of the name, WD Music.

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

www.wdmusic.com

So, if you want to try the new Alpha pots without giving your money to a seller with a rep for stealing people’s money, and who apparently also took credit for WD’s new product, you can just get them direct from WD.

If they are as lousy as most WD products, I'll take a hard pass.

 

[garywright]

+1

 

[CK6]

Hi all, this is Sebastian, owner of VIP.

From the looks of it, these are rebranded Alpha pots. I wonder if Rand licensed the Centralab name from WD Music (who own the trademark)? We stopped supplying him with VIPots once we started to get a whole lot of complaints about him - and we will not supply him in the future either.

So please be warned: every JEL listing showing our VIPots will never be made or delivered.

He also blatantly "stole" and modified our data/graph with the custom taper (yes, VIPots are made by Bourns, but they are custom pots with unique carbon tracks and other unique features).

Look familiar?
From his Reverb listing:
View attachment 25624

From our website
View attachment 25625

He swears, though, that he made the graph himself with data he collected ... that tells you everything you need to know about this guy. I'll be checking with our lawyer to see if and how we can take action against this.

Thanks for posting this & good luck with the legal action!

Do you anticipate getting 500k pots anytime soon?

Thanks.

 

[xxedgexx]

Inside of the new “centralab”.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

Buy Them. Looks ok to me. I think VIP has some competition on his hands. I bought some the New Centralab and they are great. The VIP Pots would burn up if you looked at them wrong.
My vote is for the New Centralab

 

[Zravko Talvi]

Looks like those “Centralab” pots are appropriately available from the present owner of the name, WD Music.

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

Centralab® 550K Audio Taper Potentiometer +/- 9% Tolerance

www.wdmusic.com

So, if you want to try the new Alpha pots without giving your money to a seller with a rep for stealing people’s money, and who apparently also took credit for WD’s new product, you can just get them direct from WD.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

Aren't Alpha pots 500K. VIP pots were just Bourn pots. Same cheap thin casing.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

There's some threads around the internet running for several years long where that seller has stolen money from many buyers and never shipped. I guess, if you have to risk it, go through Reverb and not direct to have some protection.

I've tried them in a Les Paul R8 and an ES335 and they are great. His Reviews on Reverb for those pots seem all very positive. He shipped immediately and quickly. No problem.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

Hi all, this is Sebastian, owner of VIP.

From the looks of it, these are rebranded Alpha pots. I wonder if Rand licensed the Centralab name from WD Music (who own the trademark)? We stopped supplying him with VIPots once we started to get a whole lot of complaints about him - and we will not supply him in the future either.

So please be warned: every JEL listing showing our VIPots will never be made or delivered.

He also blatantly "stole" and modified our data/graph with the custom taper (yes, VIPots are made by Bourns, but they are custom pots with unique carbon tracks and other unique features).

Look familiar?
From his Reverb listing:
View attachment 25624

From our website
View attachment 25625

He swears, though, that he made the graph himself with data he collected ... that tells you everything you need to know about this guy. I'll be checking with our lawyer to see if and how we can take action against this.

Interesting. His graph looks nothing like VIP's. Looke for the VIP Graph and couldn't find it. Actually, The Centralab graph looks a lot more professional.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

If they are as lousy as most WD products, I'll take a hard pass.

I think WD is a wholesaler to Allparts, StewMac and Emerson Custom. Interesting.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

Hi all, this is Sebastian, owner of VIP.

From the looks of it, these are rebranded Alpha pots. I wonder if Rand licensed the Centralab name from WD Music (who own the trademark)? We stopped supplying him with VIPots once we started to get a whole lot of complaints about him - and we will not supply him in the future either.

So please be warned: every JEL listing showing our VIPots will never be made or delivered.

He also blatantly "stole" and modified our data/graph with the custom taper (yes, VIPots are made by Bourns, but they are custom pots with unique carbon tracks and other unique features).

Look familiar?
From his Reverb listing:
View attachment 25624

From our website
View attachment 25625

He swears, though, that he made the graph himself with data he collected ... that tells you everything you need to know about this guy. I'll be checking with our lawyer to see if and how we can take action against this.

Their graph looks very different from yours.

 

[Zravko Talvi]

There are quite a few Reviews already on Reverb. All were 5 Star Positive. I tried 2 sets and am extremely pleased. For me the VIP Pots were too cheaply made. VIP actually had a disclaimer in ever order about burning them up. That was always a bad sign for me. The Guage of the VVIP Pots was ridiculously thin and easily over heated. Typical Bourns Pot.