Wisconsin Bassists Club (part 2) - Page 27

ctrotier · #**521** 02-27-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I was thinking about taking my broken down Acoustasonic Jr. in to Top Shelf Guitar Shop â€¢ We buy, sell, trade, and repair quality new, used, vintage guitars, and amplifiers . I don't really know them, though. You go first.

Thanks - just called them, and he gave me another name to call, since he can't guarantee a quick turn-around. I definitely respect that.

John Blick was the name he gave me - I'll let you know how that goes.

Pedulla-Player · #**522** 02-27-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Or they're getting married but feel too broke to hire bands, DJs, photographers and caterers. Even discount guys like me.

Funny thing is - DJ's get more for a wedding than my whole band got. At least with my old band. My new band hasn't discussed doing weddings yet and what we will charge for them.

ctrotier · #**523** 02-27-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedulla-Player

Wow - When it rains it pours I guess! Sounds like my luck sometimes. Good luck on the repairs!!

It was just stupid. By the time my straplock flew off, I was just laughing and shaking my head. Game on!

scottfeldstein · #**524** 02-27-2012, 11:22 AM

You know, I think a couple people also recommended Blick to me. This was back when I kind of wanted to get this old amp fixed so I could sell it and I'd been asking around. I still have his number in an old email some guy sent me. He seems like The Guy in these parts.

ctrotier · #**525** 02-27-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

You know, I think a couple people also recommended Blick to me. This was back when I kind of wanted to get this old amp fixed so I could sell it and I'd been asking around. I still have his number in an old email some guy sent me. He seems like The Guy in these parts.

His name sounded very familiar to me too. Just called him - his shop is a couple blocks from where I work, and I happen to have my amp with me. Going over this afternoon.

Medford Bassman · #**526** 02-27-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicpimp2

That's about an hour from me ish. I'm down by the south east side of the county. Farm country

Probably closer to me in Medford

cosmicpimp2 · #**527** 02-27-2012, 10:21 PM

yea Medford's like half an hour, I'm in Kennan

Keithwah · #**528** 02-28-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrotier

His name sounded very familiar to me too. Just called him - his shop is a couple blocks from where I work, and I happen to have my amp with me. Going over this afternoon.

Chris,

After "E" died a few years back (he had his shop at Uncle Bob's for probably 15 years or more before striking out on his own with the Rock & Roll Hospital on Greenfield Ave), Blick took his spot as the go-to guy in Milwaukee. I have heard nothing but great things about his work.

But don't discount the idea of shipping it back to Aguilar direct either. Often you'll be surprised at how much quicker repairs get done at the factory. I had my Peavey MegaBass head in and out of E's shop several times back in the early 90's and each time the issue with it got better....but wasn't resolved. I sent it to Peavey direct and $130 later I had a new main circuit board which solved its problems. Sure I had to pay shipping there and back, but it was still under $200 altogether. I bought a second MegaBass head in maybe '98 or '99 and after 3 months had the exact same issue. Sent it to Peavey and a week and a half later....BOOM goes the dynamite.

Recently my old light guy (also a bassist) who owns a MegaBass head of the same vintage had the exact same issue. I mentioned to him that he should send it to Peavey if they'll still work on them. He called Peavey and they said no problemo, send it down.

So there can be some benefit to sending it to the manufacturer for speed and really in the long run, the repair can be less expensive since they have the parts on hand and tend to know the who, what and where of the landscape.

Blick I have been told does very nice Marshall mods and the like. He seems to do things quick enough, and I think he handles quite a bit of the local repair market. The guy at Cascio Interstate is also fairly good, don't remember his name, but I've sent dozens and dozens of Mackie mixers to him over the years and he turns them back around pretty quickly.

Also as a side note, "E" (Ehor Tannen) is not the same guy as Jim Eanelli, the guitar repairman also on Greenfield. Jimmy used to be in a few great Milw area acts in the 80's he was with Color Radio, and Jim appeared at least 500 times per Summerfest run with his blues bands during the 90's and early 2000's. So if you guys do need good guitar work done, let me know and I'll get you Jimmy's phone number. And yes, Jim also worked out of UB's for many years before splitting off to start his own stand alone shop.

Interceptor · #**529** 02-28-2012, 10:00 PM

Keith's advice is spot on.

I'm a tech who has gone into retirement.

The guys who work for a manufacturer have the inside on what's apt to fail, and don't have to go on treasure hunts to find the right parts. You'd be surprised at just how much effort it can take to locate parts.

Use local for vintage tube stuff, ship modern gear back to the maker.

scottfeldstein · #**530** 02-28-2012, 10:03 PM

This discussion is gold.

I have a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. guitar amp. Not the newer "DSP" one, but the older one with a spring reverb on it.

The reverb does not seem to work at all. Plus one side seems to distort a lot at moderate or loud volumes. The speaker on that side does not seem damaged, so I'm not sure what's up.

I really just want to fix it so I can sell it. I'm hoping it does not cost more than $100.

Should I take it to Blick or talk to Fender? Thoughts?

Interceptor · #**531** 02-29-2012, 05:41 AM

That Fender is in "get it done locally" territory.

Basic tube amps are the sweet spot for local repair. The circuits are well understood, and the parts used are seldom anything too terribly odd.

EvilTwin126 · #**532** 02-29-2012, 05:55 AM

Hello Everyone!! I'm a mostly hobby/living room player from the big town of Tomah!! Just discovered this thread and am THRILLED to see a thread (on it's second page even) dedicated to "Cheesehead" bassists!! Count me in!!

Keithwah · #**533** 02-29-2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

This discussion is gold.

I have a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. guitar amp. Not the newer "DSP" one, but the older one with a spring reverb on it.

The reverb does not seem to work at all. Plus one side seems to distort a lot at moderate or loud volumes. The speaker on that side does not seem damaged, so I'm not sure what's up.

I really just want to fix it so I can sell it. I'm hoping it does not cost more than $100.

Should I take it to Blick or talk to Fender? Thoughts?

Great question Scott. Better question is, if you sink a $100 in it will you get that much more out of it. Being that everyone has butt loads of pedals, it might be easier to try to sell it as is at A hundred less than you wanted for it in the first place. If you are not gettin any nibbles, then maybe fix it.
My rule of thumb on selling gear that has an issue but still works is this....cut your losses and take the hit. If it is the reverb tank....that's over a bill. I think any repair uuuuu do will wind up being over a bill. That is why behringer and samson exist. Disposable gear.
Put the thing on CL for a week as is, tell them what is wrong up front and I wood bet you'll find a guy/gal that already uses some boss or dod gizmo pedal anyway for fx.
I've just been fixing what I'm using since I have seen too many dump too much into repairs that don't pay back. But if I were you, I'd list it for $150 instead if the $250 you might want for it. People buy broke stuff all the time.

cosmicpimp2 · #**534** 02-29-2012, 10:34 AM

Snow day lol! 18" in Price County is what the news just said and it looks pretty close outside. Bass jam in the living room day for me

Pedulla-Player · #**535** 02-29-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilTwin126

Hello Everyone!! I'm a mostly hobby/living room player from the big town of Tomah!! Just discovered this thread and am THRILLED to see a thread (on it's second page even) dedicated to "Cheesehead" bassists!! Count me in!!

Hi EvilTwin126. I edited the list on the previous page. You are in at #106. Welcome to the club!!

ctrotier · #**536** 02-29-2012, 02:00 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. Keith, I definitely agree about sending it to the manufacturer. I just needed a quick clean and go - just picked it up, 2 days, $32. Blick was quick, honest, and did a great job.

I found out way too late that my band is providing the backline for a venue for the Racine Thoughts for Food benefit this weekend, so I needed a really quick turnaround. Not too crazy about that, but whatever. It's a benefit.

scottfeldstein · #**537** 02-29-2012, 11:28 PM

I hope nobody minds the solicitation, but...

My band, Endless Blue, is recording a new album and we need your help and your input! Please click the link below, watch the video and let us know what song you'd like us to do!

Endless Blue's "Undercover": Trip-hop-izing your favorites! by Nick Mitchell — Kickstarter

KJung · #**538** 03-01-2012, 05:09 AM

Hey guys. Just FYI, I have my Acme Fullrange 12 for sale if anyone is interested. Here is the link.

Acme Fullrange 112 (Chicago/Madison/Milwaukee area)

Keithwah · #**539** 03-01-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrotier

Thanks for the input everyone. Keith, I definitely agree about sending it to the manufacturer. I just needed a quick clean and go - just picked it up, 2 days, $32. Blick was quick, honest, and did a great job.

I found out way too late that my band is providing the backline for a venue for the Racine Thoughts for Food benefit this weekend, so I needed a really quick turnaround. Not too crazy about that, but whatever. It's a benefit.

C!

It just needed a cleaning? And he did it for $32? Really, that's pretty dang reasonable..... So probably like a 1/2 hr at maybe $50 per and a few bucks for some electro wash/cleaning gook. Pretty fair for sure.

I think I'll go break something just so I can take it there! Ha! (and a hearty knock on the wood) I heard he was good, but I hadn't heard he would be quick and/or hep a bro out in a pinch.

Good deal! He does sound like the go to guy I'd heard he was after all! Thank you sir for the update!

Keith

scottfeldstein · #**540** 03-02-2012, 08:14 AM

Well, it looks like we're funded to make the album--and in just one day! I'm not really sure what's going to happen with the money that will surely keep rolling in over the next 29 days. We'll do more songs, commission some good album art, make some t-shirts or something.

If you haven't seen the video, you really should. A friend of mine did it. Believe me, you'll want to give him a call next time you need video work. Watch it and see if I'm wrong.

Endless Blue: Undercover kickstarter campaign