One question which crops up with monotonous regularity in the Blue Room forums is "Where can I buy XLR connectors/other connectors/microphone cable/soldering equipment/resistors/ or other similar components"
In addition to contacting your favourite general sound/lighting/whatever supplier, there are several suppliers who specialise in general electronic components:
(note - the following are all UK-based)
- National mail-order - these are specialist suppliers who deal mainly with industry and commercial clients. They carry a huge range, with next day delivery. However, you generally need a trade account to purchase from them. Catalogues generally run to several thousand pages.
- RS Components - also has "trade counters" in many cities. Occasionally referred to as "Radio Spares" by some of the old hands...
- Farnell
- CPC - also part of the Farnell group
- National specialist mail-order - similar to the above, but often on a smaller scale. Perhaps targetted more towards a specialist field, or the hobbyist market.
- High Street - the easy option for many purchasers, but stock range will be more limited than the above, and prices perhaps less competitive.
- Regional - these are generally trade suppliers, but not on the same scale as RS/CPC/etc. They may have catalogue/mail order sales, and/or a trade counter. Generally preferable to the High St suppliers, if local.
- Tait Components - a component supplier based in Glasgow, about 5 minutes walk from the city centre. Ignore the front page of their website, which is a bit "computery" - they carry a decent stock of components, cable and connectors.
- In an emergency.... you might be able to source common components from TV/electrical repair shops - especially fuses, connectors etc.
Component Suppliers
