Amp Techs - What to reasonably expect?

[agedhorse]

Imagine that maybe fifty to a hundred people all like you needed the very specialized skills of one person to get their thing fixed, and that maybe half of them woke up every morning wondering how long it was going to take them to fix your thing in particular. These cats are artists. They're in demand. They have no idea how long its going to take them to fix whatever is on their bench today, and therefore they can't tell you how long its going to take them to get to the tenth or twentieth or fiftieth amp in their queue. It's just our dumb luck to live in a world where there are people who can fix this stuff at all. Play your backup rig and send your repair shop some cookies when they're done to demonstrate how much you appreciate them.

Techs aren’t artists. They are technicians that should be skilled enough and educated enough to troubleshoot and repair an amp.

IF the tech is truly qualified, repairing amps is a straight forward process, following structured troubleshooting protocols. If they don’t know how long (within reason) it will take to fix an amp, how are they going to give an estimate or quite a cost?

Cookies are ok however!

 

[seamonkey]

I said it was not particularly urgent but I wasn't suggesting he let it slide.

Just opinion

What you don't say doesn't count.
If time is of the essence, you should say so.
No contract is complete unless there is a meeting of the minds, and there's something in writing. That way it's fair to both side.
And there's always some disaster clause, like if a snow storm hits, then, yeah, it's fair to let them know it's OK to take longer.
Or, gee, if they get busy, they should take 5 minutes to give you a call.

I think a lot of independent techs are getting savvy to using software generated contracts that protect them from bad reviews on yelp, and helps their clients if there is a dispute.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

I dropped off a Peavey AlphaBass with a tech in Nashville, and it took him a couple of months to return it to me, and he didn’t do a great job after all that time. The last time I was there to pick it up (I stopped by 3x to check on progress), he told me he was diversifying his business by getting into CBD in addition to amp work.

A few months later I took it to a certain reputable gentleman east of said city in Lebanon TN, and he fixed everything including the previous tech’s shortcomings in 3 days. And he charged me less $ than the first guy. He explained what he thought could possibly be a manufacturer defect, never throwing the prior tech under the bus. He worked from the basement of his home in a very tidy shop, with friendly dogs, and cool classic cars he restored parked nearby. His amps/preamps occasionally pop up here in TB classifieds.

 

[johnnynitro]

Mt tec is super busy. He has a seven week backlog. He dose a great job !! Worth the wait for me.

 

[Grinderman]

Mt tec is super busy. He has a seven week backlog. He dose a great job !! Worth the wait for me.

He probably doesn't take that long to tell you anything about it though, right?

 

[40Hz]

I always ask when I can expect to hear from them. Most are really good about getting back. If it goes a couple of days past when they said I’ll give them a call.

 

[40Hz]

IF the tech is truly qualified, repairing amps is a straight forward process, following structured troubleshooting protocols.

Agree. It’s more a disciplined process of logical elimination based on one’s education and experience than anything else. Or at least it is in the IT world where I did the bulk of my troubleshooting work.

 

[johnnynitro]

He probably doesn't take that long to tell you anything about it though, right?

He repairs them one at a time. So yes it takes him at least that before I know anything. Warranty work about the same. Except he sometimes just calls to say its fixed pick it up. I have been going to him for many years. I'm very happy with him.

 

[dbase]

My Boogie has been in the shop for well 9ver 4 months. He finally got the part and is fixin to fix it.

I like "He's fixin to fix it". So he's not actually "fixing it", but just "fixin" to fix it? Hmmmm

 

[Dirk Diggler]

The last repair I had done, it took 3 weeks and it was through the holidays.
I picked it up on New Years Eve..

 

[buldog5151bass]

Also depends on your relationship with the shop, like any other situation.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Expect high prices and long turnaround, sadly this is a dying industry and most have retired.

 

[Grinderman]

He repairs them one at a time. So yes it takes him at least that before I know anything. Warranty work about the same. Except he sometimes just calls to say its fixed pick it up. I have been going to him for many years. I'm very happy with him.

If you're happy then you are.

There's no way I'd go to a tech that takes 7 weeks to do anything at all, especially for a basic inspection and possible estimate on a new-to-me amp with no known problem, not in this market. There are too many other reputable options here in that regard for one thing.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Service times are all over the place. Don’t just find a tech, find someone with experience with your amp and one who’s a good businessman. With a vague, I’m busy, I wouldn’t expect a fast turn around. Politely asking for an update and an estimate as to when they can get to it shouldn’t be a problem. Pester them and they might tell you that they can’t help.

Trust me, dealing with customers can be very challenging.

 

[Avigdor]

I like to finish any drop-off (any kind of work arrangement, really) with a question as to what would be a reasonable timescale on which I should either hear from them or contact them and ask. At that point we can also mention if I am hoping for a quick turnaround or maybe could be a bit relaxed about it. Expectations are one thing, but it is always good to agree on something realistic up front. Then you take it from there.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I like "He's fixin to fix it". So he's not actually "fixing it", but just "fixin" to fix it? Hmmmm

It's the only Boogie certified tech that's not another two to three hours from Charlotte.
I shouldn't have used Carolina slang...he ordered the part, received the part, and I authorized the repair. So far it's been a horrible experience.
To make matters worse, my other Boogie head also needs to be fixed!

 

[Thumpin6string]

To me, the amount of time is less important than being kept informed. Occasional progress reports. Things like if a part is back ordered or a secondary problem has been found. It's a good way to keep the customer from becoming pissed off.

 

[slagheap]

I've owned two Magnavox SVTs. I was fortunate they never needed much but the occasional once over, same guy both amps. He's long gone. Were I to purchase a vintage SVT today ( and I have my eye on an non pro II, ) I would first investigate, not to say interrogate, lol, several shops within reasonable driving range as to their familiarity and comfort with expertly servicing SVTs. Those amps are kind of their own thing.

 

[Grinderman]

Service times are all over the place. Don’t just find a tech, find someone with experience with your amp and one who’s a good businessman. With a vague, I’m busy, I wouldn’t expect a fast turn around. Politely asking for an update and an estimate as to when they can get to it shouldn’t be a problem. Pester them and they might tell you that they can’t help.

Trust me, dealing with customers can be very challenging.

That's a great way to put it, Beans. You hit the nail on the head exactly, IMO. The tech in this case is a solo operation so he has to wear a two-sided hat.

I knew of him before but I'd never met him or seen his operation until two weeks ago. He's a very experienced older fella who is fairly well known, particularly around here. He's known also for building tube amps, though I believe he's retired from that part of the business. I'm not concerned about his technical expertise at all.

As far as the businessman side of it... I don't know.

If he simply called me back by now and at least told me that he estimates he needs another two to four weeks that would be completely fine and I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[Grinderman]

I've owned two Magnavox SVTs. I was fortunate they never needed much but the occasional once over, same guy both amps. He's long gone. Were I to purchase a vintage SVT today ( and I have my eye on an non pro II, ) I would first investigate, not to say interrogate, lol, several shops within reasonable driving range as to their familiarity and comfort with expertly servicing SVTs. Those amps are kind of their own thing.

I've got an '89 np II.

The tech my new-to-me Magnavox SVT is with is one of the three most venerable techs still working in the L.A. area but you can't be sure about their manner of communication until you've gone through it with that person.

In this case, this tech called me back very quickly when I inquired initially about coming to his shop, but since I dropped off the head I've heard nothing from him. It's the communication aspect that concerns me.

Part of it is probably about me, or how I am, as well... as a type, I'm compulsively driven to communicate promptly, especially in a work/professional capacity.