Long Islanders: I just spend $2 on a pot, and feel good!!!

[Hal]

If you read the forum regularly, you probably know that I'm one of the cheapest people out there.  I get personally offended when people sell stuff to me for too much.  I was one of the few people trying to defend futurlec.  But its not above me to support a cause...

After some asking around and searching, I finally found this fabled electronics store in Ronkonkoma.  The reason I had so much trouble finding it is that it used to be Active Electroincs, but it was bought by A.M.P. components.  However, people still refer to it as active...and half the merchendice still says "active" on the bags.

What I saw is better than what I imagined.  The company seems to make most of their money off prototyping and enginneering services, but they still carry a large stock of merchendice.  The prices were _good_.  They were not amazing deals, but they were fair, especially considering I don't have to pay shipping.  In the end, all I bought was a $2 alpha pot (10k linear) and a 4 pack of 74ls00s for $1.50.  Fair.

However, more than the prices, the help was outstanding.  It was a truly mom and pop (and son) shop (yes, literally...the three of them were there).  They were nice about letting me browse the store, but were helpful as well - not pushy like those radio shack guys.  Finally, I asked the son (about my age...~18) if they had 5v latching relays...he in turn found his dad, who knew the inventory better than him.  It turned out that they didn't have it (but they did have 20 or so different types of relays), so he asked me what I needed it for.  I explained the project - to use a remote control car to switch line current.  I told him that I knew I _could_ do it using logic, but I didn't quite know how.  He then drew out a schematic for me to do the same thing using the  74ls00 NAND IC!  I almost feal bad I couldn't find more to buy from him.  But I will go back again, and hope that other people from here will as well.

I think _now_ I finally understand what people are talking about when they complain about big business taking over.  When I was leaving, two middle aged engineers came in, and besides "hanging out," had some sort of conversation about magnetic amplifiers and outsourcing them.  Apparently it was a pretty funny topic, becuase they were laughing a lot :-D.

Like I said before, it is called A.M.P components, and is located at 2190 Smithtown Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY.  It is right near the airport.  [/b]

[smashinator]

Wow, I wish I had a place like that near me.  The best service I've gotten yet was at Antique Electronics (www.tubesandmore.com), but I couldn't go through their shop.

[H.Manback]

Can't agree more Hal, I've got an address over here as well, small shop, two guys run it, both are into loudspeaker design and tube amplifier design. Excellent service, very ready to explain all kinds of stuff even though they almost lose money on you because electronic parts are so cheap.

[Ben N]

I've been there, back when it was Active.  At the time, I thought it was cool that they had Hammond enclosures, of which I bought two, and a decent selection of breadboarding and etching supplies, although the prices were nothing special.  Anyway, the Mom&Pop thing sounds like an improvement.  For any other Long Island lawyers here, it is also right next to the Ronkonkoma District Court.

Ben

[Connoisseur of Distortion]

when they draw out a schematic, you know you have found The Place To Go.

insofar, the best local service i have found is Norvac Electronics. pretty good prices on things, and all the help i could ever want... except schematics.  

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

when they draw out a schematic, you know you have found The Place To Go.

Here in Australia, the staff at Jaycar are under instruction NEVER to draw schematics. I imagine the reason for this is twofold: 1. many of them don't actually know anything! and 2. if they give bad advice, there is nothing in writing for the coroner's inquest.
Still, I go to Jaycar & long may they flourish. And if you see me there, you can ask ME for a schematic :wink:

[petemoore]

It feels good just reading about your experience, sounds like you found a time and place with good vibes !

[JT]

I'm in Smithgtown on Friday's  will have to check it out. Do they stock  Parts pertaining to pedals.Switches, Hammond Boxes, Jacks, Caps , Resistors etc.?

[moeburn]

In Toronto, there are two stores side by side with that kind of service.  I love it as much as you.

(Active Surplus and Supremetronics)

[Cabezahead]

In chicago - there's a place called triode electronics.  There more tube-oriented and whatnot - but also have a good stash of caps and resistors if you're in a pinch and don't want to deal with ratshack...

But - the service and atmosphere is just incredible.  I called ahead once and inquired about 6an8a tubes (nobody makes 'em anymore - kinda tricky to find good ones.)  They said they had some, so I told 'em I'd be in.  When I got there - an hour later - it turned out they had been measuring all the 6an8as they had so they could sell me the best two.  He still had about half an hour or so to go... So while I waited, and he worked, we talked about amps, tubes, pedals, music, the whole works... he also exlplained how the tube tester he was using worked.

I've never bought a tube from any place since - and have referred every tube amp owner I know to the place.  It definitely pays to be good people... And I definitely know how great it feels to find 'em!

-CH

[moeburn]

In chicago - there's a place called triode electronics.  There more tube-oriented and whatnot - but also have a good stash of caps and resistors if you're in a pinch and don't want to deal with ratshack...

But - the service and atmosphere is just incredible.  I called ahead once and inquired about 6an8a tubes (nobody makes 'em anymore - kinda tricky to find good ones.)  They said they had some, so I told 'em I'd be in.  When I got there - an hour later - it turned out they had been measuring all the 6an8as they had so they could sell me the best two.  He still had about half an hour or so to go... So while I waited, and he worked, we talked about amps, tubes, pedals, music, the whole works... he also exlplained how the tube tester he was using worked.

I've never bought a tube from any place since - and have referred every tube amp owner I know to the place.  It definitely pays to be good people... And I definitely know how great it feels to find 'em!

-CH

That sounds awesome, Active Surplus near me is the only store that sells tubes for less than $100, but they're in a giant laundry bin, NOS, and they are ALL different.  No 12ax7 to be found, at least not without an army of men sorting through them

[bigjonny]

San Diego (and apparently St Louis) boasts a store, Gateway Electronics.  They carry a lot of surplus, NOS stuff, but some new stuff, too.  There's an all-new-parts store, around the corner from them: Western Radio Electronics.

Aside from things like 3PDT stompswitches and small potentiometers, I can usually find all the other components I need, at Gateway, and in a pinch a stop by Western Radio.  It's awesome to be able to get most of my project parts on an as-needed basis.  Now, I just need to build up a stock of small 100k potentiometers and 3PDT stompswitches, so I can build most pedals on a whim!

Hooray for ma & pa!

Oh yeah, I also recently learned that Joe Walsh frequents Gateway Electronics!  I had no idea that he even lived in San Diego.  I just knew his Maserati's top speed.

[Hal]

I'm in Smithgtown on Friday's  will have to check it out. Do they stock  Parts pertaining to pedals.Switches, Hammond Boxes, Jacks, Caps , Resistors etc.?

They have hammond-style diecase boxes, but they were pretty expensive (anything is expensive to me, I use RACOs).  They had a NICE supply of resistors and caps, with reasonable prices...No stompers.  They had jacks, dont know about quality or price.

[Ben N]

I just knew his Maserati's top speed.

LOL! Who drives that now?
Ben

[Peter Snowberg]

Oh yeah, I also recently learned that Joe Walsh frequents Gateway Electronics!  I had no idea that he even lived in San Diego.  I just knew his Maserati's top speed.

I understand Joe is a stompbox builder too.