Amp repair in CT?

Snarf · #1 03-14-2011, 04:36 PM

Anyone have any suggestions on who to bring an amp to in CT? Preferably western CT/Danbury/Litchfield area, but willing to drive a little further.

Art Araya · #2 03-14-2011, 04:42 PM

I no longer live there (left 7 years ago) but what about the Eastcoast Music Mall in Danbury?

New Milford music center doesn't have any amp repair guys?

Snarf · #3 03-14-2011, 04:43 PM

Both places are out of business, and NMMC never had amp repair, I think Barry only did guitars, iirc.

Robby Hoinsky · #4 03-14-2011, 04:45 PM

I know a guy skip in Middletown area who does great guitar repair and I think might do amp repair as well. If not, he might know someone who does. His number is 203.265.7903.

Robby

kjpollo · #5 03-14-2011, 04:49 PM

I took an old combo amp to a guy in the Shelton/Monroe area. His name is Chris and he does business under the name of "Ampmender". He did an excellent job on my 20+ YO Crate combo. He had to replace 2 pots and clean out the chassis (apparently my old drummer let his cat downstairs more than he told us!) and it came to about $60 total.
Very reasonable and good quality work. Wasnt too bad on turnaround time either IIRC. I think he might've had the amp for a week? 10 days tops.

Sorry that I dont have his # handy but google him. He advertises on the Fairfield County CL from time-to-time as well. You might find his contact info there too.

And yeah- East Coast Music shut down last year sometime-the place was a SHELL of what it used to be. I couldnt even guess about the New Milford Music Center.

Art Araya · #6 03-14-2011, 06:16 PM

wow - i had no idea those two places closed down! there were a couple of other music shops in danbury (music guild) and bethel but don't know if they're still open.

There's these places in Brookfield:

http://guitarhangar.com/

http://www.rt7music.com/

Westconn has a music program that I graduated from - their offices would certainly know of amp repair shops in the area. Canterbury also has a music instruction program. They may be able to direct you.

PS - small world bro - i see we both studied with Dave Overthrow...

Snarf · #7 03-14-2011, 07:39 PM

East Coast was always a front for laundering drug money. Music Guild deals in mostly stolen stuff. And every time I've been into Route 7 Music three times for ear plugs, every time there was some kind of ordering/inventory screwup. And I once asked if they had the sheets for the Bach cello suites. The guy turned to me and said "what instrument is that for?" So I'm not exactly a big Route 7 fan.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for this Amp Mender guy. Anyone have experience with Guitar Hangar? They're super close by to me, but from the site, it looks like they charge $75 just to let you bring your amp in the door?

Washishimi · #8 03-14-2011, 07:55 PM

Guitar Hangar was great for some bass work they did for me, but I never serviced an amp there. There used to be a place (I think behind Rt 7 Music) called Bell Audio Lab or something that did amp work. Not sure if they are still around though.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #9 03-15-2011, 10:38 AM

There's a guy in East Hartford, Larry Smetana, who has a really good audio/MI electronics repair shop. I'll look up the name of the shop.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #10 03-15-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

There's a guy in East Hartford, Larry Smetana, who has a really good audio/MI electronics repair shop. I'll look up the name of the shop.

Here it is: Accutech Audio Home Page

hasbeen · #11 03-15-2011, 11:52 AM

Good call Bob Lee. I've had him do work on several of my tube guitar amps...Kendricks, Matchless....so "special" amps. He's always done a great job.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #12 03-15-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Good call Bob Lee. I've had him do work on several of my tube guitar amps...Kendricks, Matchless....so "special" amps. He's always done a great job.

I used to work with Larry back in the early 80s at my first audio manufacturing job. I'm always pleased to recommend him.

Pandemonium · #13 03-16-2011, 12:08 PM

Yes. Larry knows his stuff. He works on all my amps.

Sam Hain · #14 03-16-2011, 12:12 PM

I know its not close to you but I travel 2 hours to have these guys fix my AMPS. They do a heck of a job and prices are good.

B Sharp in Providence

Boot Soul · #15 04-17-2011, 10:22 AM

Audio Nexus in Milford [203-876-8506] is a good one-man operation. Owned and operated by a guy named Ken, who was formerly an engineer at Krell. He charges fairly, and is conservative with the time he charges for. He buys and sells (fixes and flips) old gear (if it is good and worth anything) including some pedals/stompboxes. Also, just a real mellow, friendly person.

He has repaired an Ampeg SVT-II and a Simms-Watts Super A.P. 200 for me. Worth a stop in his shop if you are near.

CLMSHQ · #16 04-17-2011, 01:06 PM

There's a guy that works out of his victorian style house in Rocky Hill, CT. The name is Guitar Magic..You walk in his house, and it it like a step in time, there are old amps, old guitars, basses, pick-ups...ect all over the place...does great work and reasonable rates..he has nice stuff he sells used that he has done work to. Highly recommended.