Amp Repairs

Your amplifiers need regular service just like your guitars and basses only there is more at stake here, as a neglected amplifier can not only be unreliable, it can and often will be dangerous and potentially lethal to use! At my workshop, I have the necessary equipment to ensure your amp will be as safe and reliable as possible.

I also accept work on pedals and other pro-audio equipment.

I do not currently accept work on Hi-Fi gear ie receivers, cassette players, amplifiers, turntables etc.

A minimum bench fee of $105 applies to assess all electronic equipment

A quote will be provided after assessment. 

A comprehensive service, including preventive maintenance of your amplifier can often cost between $300-500, not including valves. Vintage gear may require more extensive work to be optimal.

Please read on for some pricing examples of some popular amplifier models that generally require all mentioned items, not including valves:

(I will try to add some more examples of other manufacturers in future, but these are some of the most common amplifiers that I see here for now)

Fender Blues/Hot Rod Deluxe/DeVille

Appx $475 including parts, plus valves

  • Replace speaker cable (original is flimsy and not reliable for working musicians)
  • Test speaker(s)
  • Test valves on tester and in-circuit for microphonics, noise and stability
  • Tighten all hardware on chassis and cabinet/clean pots, jacks, switches etc
  • Check and reflow all solder joints where necessary
  • Light clean. Deep clean + $52.50
  • Replace all electrolytic capacitors (the stock capacitors are very low quality and can often fail not long after warranty, sometimes while even still under warranty! A more recent model (under 5 years) will usually only require the power supply to be addressed, an older model will be quoted for all)
  • Rebuild low voltage supply (prone to causing pcb heat damage by design without intervention) 
  • Upgrade plate load resistors to high quality 1w (common point of failure)
  • Upgrade output screen grid resistor value (output valves are becoming less robust as time goes on, reducing the screen current helps extend the life of output valves)
  • Check/set output bias for optimal reliability vs performance
  • Burn-in, bench test, and final test after reassembly
  • Record voltages, bias, power consumption, output power on invoice

Some non-destructive tweaks to the sound of the amplifier can be made as well, such as taking the harsh brightness out of the reverb at lower settings or making a tighter bottom end, with some simple component value changes - can be quoted upon request.

Other service items can include but are not limited to replacing the mains cable, reverb tank/cables, cabinet repairs, broken hardware replacement, etc. These items will appear on the quote as applicable

Blues Junior

Appx $400 including parts, plus valves

Similar items to above + if necessary replace heat damaged valve pcb with premium quality replacement with improved layout installed for $180

Fender '65 and '68 Custom Reissue

Appx $500 including parts, plus valves

Similar repairs to the Blues/Hot Rod series, plus rewiring heater supply, screen grids and control grid resistors off-board for reliability, and ease of future service. Also included is adding flyback protection diodes and rectifier backup diodes where applicable, re-dressing the reverb driver socket wiring for lower noise floor.

'68 Custom models can also be re-modified for better channel splitting, voicing and to the lower noise floor - quoted by job on request

 

All work and parts are guaranteed for 90 days (no warranty provided for valves)