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Tube Amp Repair and More in Houston, Texas

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Tube amp repair in Houston, Texas. Guaranteed work and knowledgeable technicians. I will be honest with you about the work you need done to your amp, what parts we replaced, and what work we actually did.

I'm sure we all wonder if our equipment is just getting old, or does it need repaired?
What can be done, if anything, to restore an amp to its former glory?

Get in touch with me about your amp's sound. Maybe we can get you the sound you want out of it by repairing what is wrong.
We could also do mods to it that will make it sound the way it should.
But my experience is that there are good-sounding amps and not-so-good-sounding amps. Rarely can you make a bad design sound like a good one.

Call

, but please not before 11AM.

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Signs that you need your amp looked at include: "Red plating" or if the tubes are glowing red; Blowing fuses, either constantly or occasionally; Loss of power; Crackling, buzzing or hum from the speaker; Any smell of something really hot or burning, smoke, or fumes from inside the amp chassis.

I also design and build Custom Amps, both Guitar Amps and Audiophile amps.

Repair is usually a turn-key process. People drop off their amp with their problems listed, and get the amp back with all of that repaired and the whole amp checked out. We repair anything that is going to prevent the amp from functioning. If something is "iffy" or optional to repair, we generally ask the customer if they want that issue addressed. But what you as a customer get back is a fully-functional amplifier at a reasonable cost, and reliable repairs that don't need to be re-done.

Repair time is usually 2 weeks or so if I don't have to special-order parts and if my workload is not too high. I'll let you have some idea when I know what model unit you have. Be sure and let me know when your next gig is, and I will try to work you in if I can. Same-day repair is available if possible. Priority is given to working musicians or others with a recording schedule or who are on-tour. Please give me as much time as possible to repair your amp.

If your amp needs a special-order part or an expensive, non-stocked part, I need payment for that part up front to order it. When I have the part, the repair process can continue.

Labor Rates are as follows, based on a semi-flat rate adjusted for difficulty.

Minimum Charge: $65 labor. (Covers hookup and check for proper operation.)
Normal Test and Repair: $135 labor, parts extra.
More complex problems: $150 and up.
If you have a large or heavy unit, like an Ampeg SVT or Monoblock Audio Amp, I have to warn you that I automatically charge $200 labor, plus parts.

Now, why would I tell you my labor rates? Because I'd rather that you knew what repairs cost these days, up front. Check around and you will find few places that will tell you what they will charge for a given repair. Most places will insist that you bring it in first, then hang a bench fee on you even if you don't want the work done after all! I'd rather you not bring it in if its not in your budget.

Estimates are hard to do sometimes. Basically I need to find and probably repair the major problems with your unit before I can tell you what was wrong with it! So instead, have some idea of what you are willing to spend on your unit. Please be realistic about it, as even what seems to be a minor problem can take an hour to go through the stages of:

Verify the problem
Disassemble
Repair
Test
Reassemble
Test
Burn-in
Final Test

So unless the problem is with something we can get to without removing the chassis, we could be looking at some significant bench time. Usual charges are over $100 to actually repair something.

All repairs are concluded with a final test:

Low volume performance
High volume performance
Noise, Hiss, Microphonics check
Function of Controls, Switches, Inputs and Outputs
Audio Quality at Normal and High Volume Levels
Output Power before Clipping

Rarely does the labor on a repair exceed $200.

I can rebuild, re-cap, or restore your amp into whatever shape you want it to be. I can repair just what you want fixed, as well.

I NEVER put in parts that you don't need, unless it is part of the diagnostic process. If I do put in a part that does not contribute towards the repair of your amp, I don't charge for them, and all old parts are returned.

Mods: If you don't like the way your amp sounds, we can discuss what would help it. I don't believe in blindly doing other people's mods to your amp. I could, but there would be no warranty that it would solve your problem or not hurt your amp.
First, let's make sure your amp is working the way it should. Then we can talk about how to get your amp to sound the way you want it to.
Most amps sound pretty good, but sometimes there are some stinkers that sound bad right from the showroom. And there are some brands that people bad-mouth, but in reality some of their amp models are really good (Crate made a wonderful tube amp at one time!). Those often are the ones they quit producing, by the way.
I think the problem is that the accountants get involved and the company starts using cheaper components. On the other hand, expensive components rarely help an amp that is just badly designed from the start.
So before you start thinking that some special caps or resistors will make your amp into a winner, lets stop and look at the whole design first.
I have studied electronics for a long time, and I have some mods of my own to share. I will consider other people's mods, but YOU are the judge of what sounds best. But I will certainly tell you if I don't think it will help, or whether I think it will give you the sound you are looking for.

I've been chosen by Mesa-Boogie as one of their authorized repair centers in Texas.
I am also listed for support of Ceriatone Amps, a semi-kit vendor.
References available.

Call...
my name and phone number graphic

from 11AM-6PM, Monday-Friday.
The "Amp Repair Guy."

Tube Amp Repair and More in Houston, Texas

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