LSC
703 posts
Feb 12, 2015
5:38 PM
|
Needed to get the upgraded OT installed in my Cruncher. The guy I used for years on several different vintage amps had gone on the road with a well known guitarist as amp tech. The guy they hired to replace him basically sucked.
I thought I found another guy last year but he was expensive and didn't really seem to understand vintage amps. He kept looking at his scope telling me he could make the amp better. And he was an old guy with a track record. So anyway, I thought this was a straight forward job so I phoned him up. He proceeded to tell me how this and the other would be affected, what could be done about it,even though I told him I wanted no other modifications and the estimate was $150 just for the labor and it would take him a week. I needed it back by Saturday.
So I called the independent, though big, music store which is closer. They quoted $180. Again, way more than I expected or wanted to spend.
So on the off chance I phoned the shop where my guy used to work because I heard he had come back but was some way working independently. Got him on the phone straight away. "Shouldn't be that big a deal as long as it's not a printed circuit board with things in the way." I assured him it wasn't and asked for an estimate of time and money. "Oh, 60 bucks should cover it. If it's going to be more I'll phone you. If you get it to me today I'll have it ready by late Friday."
I'm so glad this guy is back and accepting work. He's as top notch as they come, has always accommodated any time issue I've had and to be honest I think he should charge more....but I'm glad he doesn't.
----------
LSC
Last Edited by LSC on Feb 12, 2015 5:41 PM
|
CarlA
673 posts
Feb 12, 2015
8:25 PM
|
Amp techs are like EVERY other business. There are the good, the bad, and the ugly. The due diligence is on the consumer to research, and price shop. Can't blame someone for charging more, just the nature of the beast. Happy it worked out for you
|
STME58
1186 posts
Feb 12, 2015
9:03 PM
|
I had the same thought as CarlA when I read this post.
I used to work as an auto mechanic. We used to say that the difference between a Doctor and a mechanic is, a mechanic has to fix their mistakes, a doctor can just bury theirs!
|
tmf714
2719 posts
Feb 13, 2015
5:42 AM
|
I changed mine myself-if you can solder you can DYI-
|
6SN7
506 posts
Feb 13, 2015
6:01 AM
|
Ridiculous. I had the tranney installed and then removed a few years later and it was a 50$, straight forward bench work each time.
LSC, i lost your email, send me an email, I have an update for you on the amp.
|
LSC
704 posts
Feb 13, 2015
7:46 AM
|
Interesting that most of the responses are in defense of auto mechanics. I've owned used cars for half a century and can't tell you how many garages I've taken cars to. I can tell you I can remember every good one and my memory sucks. Found one just recently after three bad experiences in a row. This guy charged me less than the estimate, got it done in less time than the estimate,actually phoned me when the car was ready, and had someone call me a few days later to follow up that everything was good.
RE:DIY - No doubt it's a relatively easy job but in this instance it entailed drilling new holes in the chassis. Again, an easy job but I have always managed to consistently screw up easy jobs and end up taking whatever work to someone who knows what they're doing anyway.
As far as due diligence, in theory I would agree. Having said that, how often does the average person have the time, the opportunity, or even a choice in shopping around for such services? I'm sorry but some folks just take advantage and usually get away with it.
----------
LSC
----------
LSC
|
CarlA
675 posts
Feb 13, 2015
8:50 AM
|
@LSC
I would agree that time is a scarce commodity for most everyone, but sometimes the sacrifice needs to be made. If the amp is important enough to fix, it should be equally as important (if not more) to research as well.
The excuse that time is scarce is exactly how/why individuals choose to overcharge for services!
Last Edited by CarlA on Feb 13, 2015 8:52 AM
|
HawkeyeKane
2707 posts
Feb 13, 2015
9:00 AM
|
Steve, I sent you an email. A recommendation for a tech in your neck of the woods should you have a circumstance again where your usual guy isn't available..
----------
Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
|
Harpaholic
614 posts
Feb 13, 2015
12:51 PM
|
You can probably count on one hand the amount of harp tech's in the U.S. that really have a true understanding and experience with harp amps.
From my experience $50-$75 is what a good honest tech would charge to replace a customer supplied output transformer.
Even it's riveted in place, and/or there's alterations to be made to accomodate the new OT, it still would be under $100
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Feb 13, 2015 12:56 PM
|
Littoral
1199 posts
Feb 13, 2015
2:25 PM
|
Picking my 60 Concert up tomorrow. It's just had as much of an overhaul as I could allow. Speakers, filter caps replaced and a reduced value in the coupling cap is the only actual change. My tech is a vintage guitar collector/trader/player that's also seriously well versed in amps. He knows guitar sound but not harp. But he was entirely respectful of the advise I was able to get from one of our MBH regulars who does know harp sound. Much thanks to him, btw. Getting a tech to collaborate with someone else that specializes may be a viable option, sometimes.
|
Thievin' Heathen
485 posts
Feb 13, 2015
4:52 PM
|
"Amp techs are like EVERY other business"
That reminds me of a joke my Mom told me once.
"Nurse, what is that smell?"
"That's your oncologist"
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Feb 13, 2015 4:53 PM
|
