How many of you DIY people visit garage and yard sales for old equipment people are selling? I was at one this week and saw some old speakers and thought if I wanted to create my own equipment, l could get used parts cheap at these type of sales.
Harlow Messages: 16 Registered: June 2014 Location: United States
Chancellor
I do this frequently! My wife is big into antiques and loves going to yard sales trying to find her next treasure. I went with her one weekend (this was a rather large one more like a flea market) and there was a table JUST for used parts. They had everything from computer parts, to stereo parts and everything in between, and they were CHEAP. I didn't have any projects going on at that point, but I stocked up for the future!
gofar99 Messages: 1939 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi Another good source is thrift shops. I have purchased everything from a pair of Altec Lansing "Magnificents" (huge ten cubic foot vintage speakers), a Marantz receiver, two turntables, a Kenwood power amp, stuff by Pioneer, Philips, Klipsch and so on. But then too I have a full electronic work shop and all the test gear that might be needed to bring anything up to spec. Still at the prices you can afford to have a few duds. Most gear only requires cleaning and if mechanical lubrication.
Round2 Messages: 108 Registered: September 2013 Location: Canada
Viscount
Thrift shops are great idea, gofar99, I hadn't thought about that. My daughter visits those shops quite often because, as she puts it, vintage clothes are in! Her idea of vintage is 10 years old! I should go with her the next time and see what I can find.
I would never have thought of a thrift shop, thanks for the tip. Do you often find things that you can use at these shops? There is a thrift shop ten minutes away from me and I will go check out what they have.
gofar99 Messages: 1939 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I find things from time to time. I have discovered numerous speakers that way....many quite excellent high end ones at fractions of their original cost. LPs, and amps as well. Generally I don't see any turntables or preamps but DVD and VCRs are everywhere. Most stuff works as well.