Birkett's: Vintage Knobs N Stuff

[Mixedup]

I visited Lincoln for the first time in years at the weekend, and was delighted to find that Birkett's is still there, looking like it always did in the old shop on Steep Hill, and still stocking old WW2 era bits and bobs at, shall we say, vintage prices?

(I just know Martin Walker will love this!)

[Martin Walker]

I visited Lincoln for the first time in years at the weekend, and was delighted to find that Birkett's is still there, looking like it always did in the old shop on Steep Hill, and still stocking old WW2 era bits and bobs at, shall we say, vintage prices?

(I just know Martin Walker will love this!)

Oh wow - you're so right Matt!

The last time I visited Lincoln was six years ago, and I too made the pilgrimage to see if John Birkett was still there, and he (and his shop) brought back many happy memories.

I even got the chance to thank him in person for helping/inspiring me so much in my teens, when I use to ride there on my bike with my pocket money every Saturday morning with a list of components I needed for the guitar effect I was currently determined to build. If I didn't have quite enough money, he was quite happy for me to pay him the extra bit on my next visit. What a gent!

He told me then that all the other shops in The Strait had become upmarket and would be happy if he closed up his surplus components business, to 'raise the tone of the area', so I'm really happy that the shop is still there six years on.

Judging by your two photos, I'd have happily invested in some of those WWII knobs (£1.50 - an absolute bargain), and that £7 WWII microphone for special FX.

Martin

[Arpangel]

Great stuff, I wonder if they’ve got any vintage VU meters? be handy to replace the one on my VCS3 when I get it.

[Martin Walker]

Great stuff, I wonder if they’ve got any vintage VU meters? be handy to replace the one on my VCS3 when I get it.

Possible, although the bulk of his stock tends to be government and military surplus rather than audio-specific.

Martin

[Hugh Robjohns]

What a lovely shop. I'll make a point of visiting it the next time I'm in the area.

[tea for two]

What a store this is. Appreciated the thread. I could quite easily spend a biscuit (100) in there or more.

I even got the chance to thank him in person for helping/inspiring me so much in my teens, when I use to ride there on my bike with my pocket money every Saturday morning with a list of components I needed for the guitar effect I was currently determined to build. If I didn't have quite enough money, he was quite happy for me to pay him the extra bit on my next visit. What a gent!

Such a lovely memory and what a Gent. That's the way to inspire a person for life.

[Arpangel]

What a lovely shop. I'll make a point of visiting it the next time I'm in the area.

Be quick, like all these places, it’ll be gone soon.

[Folderol]

The fact there is still some of this kit around rather makes you wonder just how much of it was originally produced!

[Mixedup]

What a lovely shop. I'll make a point of visiting it the next time I'm in the area.

Be quick, like all these places, it’ll be gone soon.

Well, you can't be that quick: it's on Steep Hill, which is so-called for a bloody good reason

[James Perrett]

There's more about this shop at

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/sho ... p?t=115599

I always remember the adverts in Practical Wireless - looks like he's still got much of the old stock. I wonder if he would get more takers for that mic if he added a couple of 0's to the end of the price?