Amp Repairs

Specialising in valve guitar amplifiers, I have the necessary equipment to ensure your amp will be as safe and reliable as possible and keep a large range of common parts in stock.

I also can accept work on some pedals and other pro-audio equipment, assemble supplied amp, studio, pedal kits, build high quality custom cables (instrument, speaker, etc) and more - subject to approval

Please read on for more information and rough price guides. 

Your amplifiers require 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 also become dangerous and potentially lethal to use. If you're a working musician that relies on your gear to make an income, it's a good idea to have it checked over at least once a year, depending on your use case.

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

- A minimum up-front bench fee of $105 applies to assess all electronic equipment, and an hourly labour rate of $125 will apply from thereon.

- A quote will be provided after assessment before carrying out any repairs

- Any repairs estimated to total over $500 will require an upfront 50% deposit - and/or any high-cost parts (transformers, speakers, high wattage amp valve sets) will be required to be paid for in advance before carrying out the repair.

A comprehensive service, including preventive maintenance of your amplifier can often cost between $350-600, not including valves. Vintage gear may and often does require more extensive work to be optimal and reliable in the long-term.

Please read on for some pricing examples of some of the most popular amplifier models I see in my workshop - Marshall and Vox usually have similar pricing, depending on the required work, model and age. Please note, overly complex and/or poorly designed circuits (ie Mesa, boutique stuff) can cost significantly more to repair due to time and research involved.

Fender Blues/Hot Rod Deluxe/DeVille

Appx $500 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

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 $450 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 $550 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 fly-back protection diodes and rectifier backup diodes where applicable, re-dressing the reverb driver socket wiring for lower noise floor.

Some '68 Custom models, ie the Deluxe Reverb can also be re-modified for improved channel mixing, voicing and to the lower noise floor - quoted by job on request

All work and parts are guaranteed for 90 days (no warranty can be provided for valves beyond 7 days)