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Amp Tech/Repair in Chicago metro area? Tube & Solid State.

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by iualum, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 #1
    iualum

    iualum

    Apr 9, 2004
    60453
    Would like to put together a list of good (very good? great?) amp tech/repair shops in the Chicago metropolitan area. Can also phone Chicago bass shops, but think info & 1st hand experience from TBers is even better, so would like to initialize this way.

    Would like to know if they're much better (specialize?) with all-tube/valve heads or solid state, or if they can handle both well.

    Any info on price would be good, too. Paying lower prices for shoddy work is senseless, of course. But if two or more (hopefully) shops do the same good (or better, again hopefully :bassist: ) work & one guy charges reasonable prices while another charges exorbitant ones, well that'd be good to know, I think. What's reasonable/exorbitant is subjective, yes, & every repair will be slightly different also. But any info that's as objective as possible here is welcome. And if there are few or no thoughts on this portion, then so be it.

    Also, any info on brands they're especially good with or brands they refuse to service would be good to include.

    There are only 4 shops I've found from searching "Chicago" threads here in the amp forum. Maybe there aren't too many more. Any comment on these also appreciated.

    Midtown Instruments 4104 N. Elston Ave Chicago IL 60618 (773)588-7377

    Musicians' Custom Electronics 921 W 193rd Place Chicago Heights, IL 60411 (708) 755-6960

    Midwest Musical (@ Damen & Diversey).

    Specimen Products. Homan Ave, Chicago. http://www.specimenproducts.com
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    SpinyNorman

    SpinyNorman

    Oct 24, 2012
    Schroeder Audio, Inc (1455 W Hubbard) comes to mind: http://www.schroederaudioinc.com/

    I don't have first hand experience with their amp repair service, but I've had them work on several guitars, and was very happy with the work.

    I believe they also build and sell their own line of custom tube amplifiers.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    GregC

    GregC Questlove, Black Thought, Hamilton Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 19, 2007
    NC
    I had a decent experience with Specimen. Seemed a little pricey, but I don't have much basis for comparison.

    Yep, both Nels Cline and John Stirratt of Wilco have used their amps. I didn't know they did repair work.
     
  4. May 6, 2015 #4
    z80

    z80

    Feb 13, 2015
    Chicago, IL USA - Midwest
    I'm a local Chicago technician that can repair and / or restore just about any guitar amp and most pro-audio gear. Tube or solid state is not a problem. I started out at Victoria Amp Co. in the late 90's. I charge reasonable rates and have some petty advanced tools like a digital vacuum tube curve tracer, high voltage supplies, a meter that can measure milli-ohms, etc. I play guitar too.
    Here's my website where you can find out more information:

    We Repair Amps, Pro Audio & Synths | Borish Electronics
    Chicago, IL

    -Mike