Parts in the uk??

[rosscocean]

Where do you get your parts from, in the uk?

I've been using
maplins
vintage parts- http://markhindes.easywebstore.co.uk/Germanium-Transistors_B2RHQ.aspx?gclid=CNyrjaTIl6ECFQhBlAodaXV3Mg
Bits box- http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/

Bits box are really good, some good on there, descent site and delivery is really quick. Maplins are pretty rubbish but I live right next to one so its quick. Vintage parts were ok when I used them but some stuff seems expensive, probably cos it's "vintage" stuff.

I've still to find a place that stocks 2n5088s, pots with other values/tapers and cheap germanium trannies, I guess the latter is not really possible.

If you've got any other good sources for parts I'd love to know about them.

Cheers Ross

[daverdave]

There's farnell, and rs, but I think you might need a credit card to use them.

[ryanuk]

Hi

I'm in the UK and recommend the following places - unfortunately no single source seems to be able to provide everything - its annoying and can be a struggle when you can find everything for a project save for some obscure part which is claimed to be the holy grail for this application!!  Grin

For basic caps,pots,knobs,encloures etc I use rapid and farnell. Great quality and price breaks but the postage can be steep so best to buy in bulk. Farnell has a fantastically HUGE range but £20 min order.

3PDT - These are a pig to buy at a reasonable price in the UK. I buy from ebay usually from Hong Kong sellers at approx 3 for £10. Not in the UK but better value for money. The quality porbably doesnt compare to cliff or fulltone but I've never had one fail on me. You do have to solder carefully as you can unglue the contacts with too much heat.

For popular ICs/components used in music/guitar FX buy from Musikding.de or banzaieffects.com - both are based in germany but shipping in comparable to what you'd expect in uk. I would say that musikding tend to ship out a LOT quicker though. Ive recently ordered from them and everything arrived within a few days. Outstanding.

Transistors - ebay is also good place to buy sil transistors. Theres currently some sellers knocking out 2n5088s for £6 per 100! Pretty cool as these trannys can be subbed in a lot of effects. You can buy Ge transistors on ebay but they tend to be at a premium - I woudl buy these from musik ding.

AudioVideo connectors - Cranford electronics or Toby electronics. I recommend either highly.

I also have several other suppliers on my favorites just in case; Crinklewood electronics, Bowood electronics are also worth bearing in mind.

There are several US suppliers e.g. small bear but the postage just doesnt justify ordering from them.

I hope this helps - I have a stock of 2n5088s so if you get really stuck PM me and we can discuss "offline".

RyUK

[ringworm]

I've ordered a few times from Smallbear in the USA and have never found it's postage prohibitive, it's certainly no more than what Banzai has charged me.
ESR components also have a large range of parts and take small orders, they have a pdf catalogue for download which is also handy. http://www.esr.co.uk/components/

[Scruffie]

I use futurlec and bitsbox, the cost of postage for futurlec is tiny and there prices are very cheap so they're my main supplier for resistors, caps, trannies & ICs then I get the 3DPT from ebay and the enclosures etc from bitsbox.

I've also used smallbear for harder to find parts and knobs...

And as always, the store is always up there ^^^

[merlinb]

Rapid are definitely the cheapest source of ordinary components. I use Mega for PCB/etching parts:
http://www.megauk.com/

A few years ago I bought a box full of MXR-size enclosures from Evatron for about £1.50 each.
http://www.evatron.com/index-pag-products-cid-13-sid-130-l-2.html

I don't know how their prices fair now though. Looks like price on enquiry.

[slacker]

I get 99% of my stuff from Rapidonline and everything else from Ebay, Smallbear or Aron's store.

[frequencycentral]

Rapid have a huge inventory, and deliver even before you place an order (they really are that fast).

Banzai are very useful for pedal stuff, they're in Berlin but tend to ship fast to the UK, volcano permitting. They sell matched sets of FETs, Ge with specific hfe ranges and 2n5088.

http://www.banzaimusic.com/home.php

[Kinetic]

I buy quite often from Bowood Electronics - http://www.bowood-electronics.co.uk/ - not a pedal-orientated site or anything but they do stock a lot of the basics and their prices are good.

I also use Cricklewood sometimes - http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ - slightly more expensive but bigger stock list.

[ColdSolder]

Hi - Been lurking for a while so thought I should get round to registering and contribute something!

Most of the places I use have already been mentioned but I have found the following source for Electro-Harmonix 3PDP switches at a reasonable price - £2.95 (inc VAT)

http://www.hotroxuk.com/amp-switches-11229-0.html

I've not ordered yet so I don't know what the P&P charges are like

David

[Scruffie]

Hi - Been lurking for a while so thought I should get round to registering and contribute something!

Most of the places I use have already been mentioned but I have found the following source for Electro-Harmonix 3PDP switches at a reasonable price - £2.95 (inc VAT)

http://www.hotroxuk.com/amp-switches-11229-0.html

I've not ordered yet so I don't know what the P&P charges are like

David

£2.95 if you fancy ordering 200 at once, otherwise they're £4.95, not bad, but they can be had cheaper from abroad.... But Hotrox is a great site with great service.

[ColdSolder]

Ha! Missed that on the dropdown box - should have used the "too good to be true filter"  My wife is fairly understanding of my hobbies but I think a consignment of 200 switches arriving on the doorstep might trigger some sort of neh=gative reaction!

David

[Scruffie]

Haha, yeah I hate that too good to be true filter...

Oh and welcome to the forum.

[rosscocean]

Thanks for all your contributions. I'll check them out.

Ross

[StephenGiles]

I buy quite often from Bowood Electronics - http://www.bowood-electronics.co.uk/ - not a pedal-orientated site or anything but they do stock a lot of the basics and their prices are good.

I also use Cricklewood sometimes - http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/ - slightly more expensive but bigger stock list.

Interesting that Bowood list both LM13600 and CA3080!!!!!

[ryanuk]

Hi - Been lurking for a while so thought I should get round to registering and contribute something!

Most of the places I use have already been mentioned but I have found the following source for Electro-Harmonix 3PDP switches at a reasonable price - £2.95 (inc VAT)

http://www.hotroxuk.com/amp-switches-11229-0.html

I've not ordered yet so I don't know what the P&P charges are like

David

£2.95 if you fancy ordering 200 at once, otherwise they're £4.95, not bad, but they can be had cheaper from abroad.... But Hotrox is a great site with great service.

True - I almost fell into this trap 2 weeks ago.

A few years ago I bought a box full of MXR-size enclosures from Evatron for about £1.50 each.
http://www.evatron.com/index-pag-products-cid-13-sid-130-l-2.html

Nice buy!! I think about £3 each now!! Handy things to have!!

[deadastronaut]

bitsbox

hotrox

maplins but only as very very very last resort...they suck...

[Hides-His-Eyes]

3PDTs are only £3 from hotrox when you order 200.

If someone wanted to do a group buy great, but otherwise... The quantities I'd be looking at, plus postage, would be prohibitive.

[Kinetic]

Interesting that Bowood list both LM13600 and CA3080!!!!!

Funny you should say that, I received a recent order today which included a CA3080.

[Maudibe]

Hi, thought you might be interested in this:

I'm opening a webshop supplying parts for the DIY builder, primarily for UK builders, but will obviously ship wherever.

The shop is called "Doctor Tweek's" and should be up and running by the end of May...I'm still uploading stuff to the site and trying to make sure it launches as smoothly as possible.

The web address is www.doctortweek.co.uk

I hope to offer a fair range of products at start-up and I aim to make my prices, carriage and service a pleasure for the customer.

Obviously as a new start up that is not funded by a secret millionaire, initial stock ranges in the dozens of items rather than the hundreds. However, I think I have most bases covered and as the shop develops I will increase the inventory.

Price wise, Doctor Tweek's is going to offer value for money, especially (initially) for the hobby builder who does not want to buy 200 of something. However, if any boutique builders are reading this - I will of course attempt to source and supply larger quantities at discount.

Looking forward to seeing you in the shop - meanwhile pop along to the Blog and say 'HI!'at:

www.doctortweek.wordpress.com

Doctor Tweek