Seeking sources for cool retro looking buttons, switches and knobs

[Sweetfoot]

I know there’s options on digi-key and mouser and whatnot, but their pictures and descriptions are usually so vague that I’m never 100% sure what I’m buying when it comes to things like button caps. Are there any companies that specialize in cool looking buttons, knobs and switches? I’m particularly fond of the giant brightly colored rocker switches that used to be ubiquitous on transistor organs from the 70s, but those don’t seem to be available anywhere except on free Craigslist organs, and those are often hard to repurpose because of the way they are usually kinda built into the chassis.

 

[TimG]

Hi, if you have been through the usual places, have you looked at electronic surplus dealers? If you only need a few
https://www.surplussales.com/Switches/SWPushB-1.html


https://www.surplussales.com/index/Rotary-Switches.html

Some other options here
https://www.studioelectronics.biz/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=114

 

[Rusan]

Antique Electronic Supply and Play Things of Past have a lot of cool vintage-style knobs. Apex Jr. is a surplus dealer, that has a small, constantly varying inventory of modern-leaning switches and knobs, but will occasionally get an odd lot of something old. It usually sells out pretty quick, so you have to keep an eye on it.

 

[Brian Roth]

Another one I found a few years ago:

https://www.electronicsurplus.com/

The inventory is constantly changing.

Bri

 

[13engrsapper]

Plus one for these guys - I bought all of their 2N404's on hand over two decades ago. Quality people. As Brian said their inventory is constantly changing. We do not have any of those old organ type rockers here.

 

[Brian Roth]

@Sweetfoot Post some pictures of what you think are items with cool/retro panel elements. I recall the electronic organ switches (although there were many variations).

For instance, for me, I always liked the look of these knobs:

https://www.worldproaudio.com/image/cache/Mods/Ampex_350_mod_front_2_canvas-1200x923.jpg

http://mwpersons.com/tech-tips/studios/images/Gates-Executive-022315.jpg

http://www.kwd-radio.com/WEB_files/picture_files/rca_76_d01.jpg

Of course, beauty in the eye of the beholder!

Bri

 

[Brian Roth]

@Sweetfoot Here is a retro switch for something like the in/out selector on a stompbox (or a vintage equalizer):

https://img0.etsystatic.com/055/0/6780398/il_fullxfull.717828724_8pxq.jpg

(just kidding! but the steampunk look is kinda cool...)


Bri

/Edit submasters for an audio mixer?

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SaXpFiwX...D+SAYVILLE+HIGH+SCHOOL+GARY+MUSANTE+FRAME.jpg

 

[peterc]

These are the knobs I use on my vintage style gear, the s8751. They are still in production and I have seen them on websites worldwide. Only about$2 each.
https://mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=Knob+blackand

 

[Brian Roth]

These are the knobs I use on my vintage style gear, the s8751. They are still in production and I have seen them on websites worldwide. Only about$2 each.
https://mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=Knob+blackand

Cool resource there, peter. We still need more "direction" from the OP in this thread to understand what he means by "retro". Which year/decade/century? <g> To me, at age 70, retro is stuff from pre-World War II. To folks much younger than me, retro is 1980's or 90's! lol

Bri

 

[ruffrecords]

Cool resource there, peter. We still need more "direction" from the OP in this thread to understand what he means by "retro". Which year/decade/century? <g> To me, at age 70, retro is stuff from pre-World War II. To folks much younger than me, retro is 1980's or 90's! lol

Bri

According to the Antiques Roadshow, antique is anything more than 100 years old. Anything more than 50 years old is vintage. Presumably retro is even younger so maybe anything more than 25 years old?

Cheers

Ian

 

[sahib]

.......... I’m particularly fond of the giant brightly colored rocker switches that used to be ubiquitous on transistor organs from the 70s....................

I have some that I had removed from a '70s Hammond organ. I'll try to post pictures in a day or two (I am floored with flue).

Edit. I have checked. I do not think they will be of interest to you as they have text printed on them like oboe, flute etc. Otherwise I have five, 2 x black, 2 x off-white, 1 x orange, and they are DPDT.

 

[mrclunk]

https://www.satoparts.co.jp/ENG/products/search/K/

They do some nice vintage style knobs.
Excellent quality and feel.