Guitar Amp Repair

WHAT I CAN REPAIR OR RESTORE:

I’ll repair or restore anything that I can, but preferably vintage tube gear made before around 1990.

My past experience includes:
• Amplifiers: Guitar / Bass / Keyboard / P.A.
• Vintage effects such as tape echo
• Mixing boards
• Vintage keyboards
• Numerous miscellaneous musical electronic gear

Sorry, I cannot take on any digital gear as this is out of my area of expertise and best left to the original manufacturer,  nor am I able to repair or set up guitars.

QUOTATIONS:

Please contact me by email describing in full the gear you require service on, including as many good photos as possible. I will let you know if I feel I can help.
After inspection of the item in my shop, I will give you a firm written cost to do the service work needed to get you up and running again, or for a full/partial restoration of vintage equipment. There is no charge for the quotation.
Work will commence upon written approval from the customer.

SERVICE PROCEDURES:

Besides actually repairing the defect, I commonly perform the following general maintenance procedures:
• All contacts are cleaned where accessible, including controls, switches, tube sockets and input jacks.
• Tubes, if present, are tested on a Mutual Conductance tube tester and condition reported.
• Forced air blow-out of loose dust and debris if present.
• Any loose hardware is tightened up.

RESTORATION WORK:

This being a much more involved project, varies greatly in its scope. In addition to the routine procedures outline about for service work, the following may also be included:
• Thorough cleaning inside and outside, as well as possible.
• Replacement of any missing or broken parts, hardware, knobs, pilot lamps, etc.
• Especially in the case of tube gear, resistors are tested to be sure they are well within tolerance. I usually replace any resistors which measure more than ±10% of the originally rated resistance.
• Electrolytic filter capacitors in the power supply are replaced
• Vintage paper capacitors are only replaced upon consultation with the customer. This is a very subjective area as many customers feel the original capacitors give their amplifier a certain character. Others request “re-capping” to ensure future reliability. I will abide by your wishes.

PAYMENTS:

Payments accepted are either Interac e-transfer, or cash if in person.

WARRANTY:

My labour is guaranteed for the original repair problem for 180 days from date of return of equipment.
All parts carry a replacement warranty of 90 days.
If, after commencing work, I find that the repair will not be possible or satisfactory, there will be no labour charges.
Customer will be responsible for transportation to and from my shop for any warranty work.