If you are having an amp bias adjusted, then the amp is usually ready the next day! Most retube jobs get done two days. For repair work my turn around time is normally measured in weeks. Rush amplifier repair service is billed accordingly. Pricing info is available on the rate page as well as helpful sidebar information on maintenance schedules and common failure modes. There is FREE useful information you want to know.
Check out my FREE information page; about tubes is written for the musician. When your're finished go to 12AX7A and see for the first time tubes presented for their tone, distortion and dynamic characteristics. Cap off your knowledge there, all the terminology used is explained there. I also show you how to cook up a custom amp sound without a technician! Make sure you get to 12AX7A.COM, players of every skill level find the information there helpful.
If I do not provide warranty service for your brand amplifier, I may accept the repair under non-warranty status. This happens quite a bit, since I do quality work.
AMP REPAIR SHOP POLICIES: These are our rules for Cranky's, but they affect you and I want you to know why they are there.
1) I will accept any
Fender Amplifier for service. I love Fender.
2) I will perform amp maintenance on any brand. I want to
love everyone.
3) I will retube any amp.
4) I will modify any brand amp, regardless of the year of manufacture.
5) I will repair Marshall tube amps if they were
made prior to 2000, there are exceptions. The reason for this is that its not profitable.
If that changes, so will our policy. We will however sell you
the parts if we have them.
6) I may determine that your amp is not worth repairing. When
this happens (very rarely) its usually because the service documentation
is being squatted upon and can't be had at any price, OR because
the cost of the repair may come close to or exceed the value of
the amp., OR there are 200 unidentified parts in the amp. Schematic
squatters drive amp values down, as they become impossible to
service. I simply don't have the time to reverse engineer these
amps. Most of the time these amps ARE however worth testing
and attempting a repair without a schematic. My minimum bench
fee ($60.00) will be applied. ENGL refused unless you can
show me they are silkscreening the boards to identify the parts,
and you have a schematic!
7) I will charge you to test tubes you bought elsewhere, if you're
not willing to test them yourself on our "public use"
tube tester.
8) I STRONGLY urge anyone who owns a serious piece of gear to
get a schematic from the manufacturer. I don't have every
schematic. I will give you a phone number if you need it. This
allows you to get good service just about anyplace you may find
yourself. Our time is something we need to charge for, and this
is one thing you can and should do for yourself!
9) I refuse to provide warranty service for several amp manufacturers.
I will work on them however. Choose any or all the below reasons
why: They have all actually happened in my experience
A)
The manufacturer attempts to force us to use their parts, and
charges exorbitantly for them.
B) The manufacturer requires us to return parts that normally
costs less than the shipping charges (otherwise refusing to reimburse
us for our labor and for parts we already paid for from them,
to fix their customers amp!) I find out about it long after the
customer has picked up his amp, so I take a financial beating
on the entire repair.
C) The manufacturer takes unreasonable time in sending parts.
This damages our reputation. I have had to wait up to several
months for parts in the past.
D) The manufacturer refuses to extend dealer prices to us unless
we become a RETAILER or service center for them! HA! What's that
all about?! Let me tell you: the manufacturer is saying that selling
an amp somehow qualifies you to fix them! Nobody does service
better than a service-only shop (like mine) period.
E) The manufacturer cannot provide legible schematics.
F) The manufacturer consistently sends the wrong schematics.
G) The manufacturer is unresponsive to these issues.
H) The manufacturer supplies us with bad replacement components.
Tubes
do go bad sometimes just sitting in a box, but it can be grotesque
when good parts are unobtainable.
10) I may ask you
to procure the parts from the manufacturer. This is because of reason #9A through #9H. You
may refuse if you want, but our position is that the only
way this situation is ever going to change is if the manufacturers
start to get flack from their customers. All you consumers have
a voice that can be heard over the whimpering of little repair
shops that are supposed to be keeping all this gear working for
the (big) manufacturers. If you find that you get poor treatment
from your amp manufacturer, then you can do something about it,
other than think your repair shop stinks. I don't think that consumers
are ever treated nearly as badly as repair shops are, so this
works for now.
I provide amplifier service for most
of the major retailers in Massachusetts. It is common practice
for the stores to markup our repairs by 10%. Not all stores do
it, but is is the norm for the industry, and a fair fee for handling
your concerns, your amp, being willing to, and for taking the
point financially.
I
am trying to provide personal service in a world that became
Fortune 100. I do appreciate your taking the time to read this.
IF
IT APPEARS THAT I AM PLACING THE BLAME ON ANYONE SPECIFICALLY
OR NAMING NAMES, I AM NOT. I HAVE NOT NAMED ANY PARTIES SPECIFICALLY
INVOLVED IN THESE PRACTICES. IF THERE APPEARS TO BE MENTION OF
ANY WRONG DOINGS BY SPECIFIC AMP MANUFACTURERS, THAT IS PURELY
COINCIDENTAL. IF THERE IS A GRAMMATICAL ISSUE, MY APOLOGIES. RETURN
CORRECTED VERBIAGE
AND THE OFFENDING
MATERIAL WILL BE REPLACED.
TO
AMP MANUFACTURERS: Do
you know if your policies read like this? If they do, smarten
up. You could never build a business like this, so how
could you expect to sustain one like this? Many of you
are turning your backs on your customers, and walking the fence
in regards to your legal obligation to service what you sell.
Amp manufacturers rely on service centers to meet that obligation,
but tarry them with prices and policies. Keeping your gear working
as promised under terms of warranty, etc., is an obligation; not
a profit center. If you would honestly like to straighten out
your act, I can think of no one better qualified than me
to consult you. Or you could just deny that there
is a problem...
UPDATE: 3 Decades have passed and nothing
has changed.
Give me a call toll-free at 1-800-FIX-ME-UP. All e-mail is
answered eventually, maybe you will be the lucky one.
The Guitar and Amp Technician
Mentorship Program provides training and certifications. I have
an extremely high success rate for my mentees. I teach motivation,
ethics, business skills, and craftsmanship as well as guitar repairs
and tube amplifier repairs. Find out about this great opportunity
now..