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Amp techs who seem to hate amps.

#61
A lot of amp "techs" don't know much about electronics. All they know is what to replace on a particular popular model for a given symptom or how to perform popular mods. Often, they call anything that doesn't meet that criteria a piece of junk and/or tell you it's not worth repairing because they don't know how.

Amps with circuit boards are hated by another breed of tech (and sometimes the same as the first) that doesn't want to go through the trouble of taking the amp apart further than removing the chassis from the cabinet.

Some amp models may be great, but are a pain in the A$$ to repair because of complexity or construction. The OP's amp may be a solid amp, but it's not exactly as simple as a Deluxe. This tech could be great and is expressing frustration because he hates working on that model or he knows he will have to tap deeply into his troubleshooting chops. I was a tech and hated repairing certain amps. It didn't mean they were junk. Also, time spent on an amp like that means you can't spend time on your bread and butter amp repairs. Many times techs don't charge you for actual time spent (it can be days), they charge you fair, affordable standard hourly rates per job. Even though they may have spent days troubleshooting (plus figuring out how it's supposed to work when it's not broken), they may end up replacing one 5 cent part to fix the whole thing and charge you for an hour or 2 of labor. Enough times of dealing with amps like that can = his response.
 
#62
I can remember sometime ago when I had to have my amp worked on. At that time, (Fender Bassman if I recall right), I carried it in a homemade wooden box. When the tech opened the box, he looked at me in surprise. I had forgotten that I had an old .45 caliber hand gun in the box with the amp. I took it out and told him I carry this because in those days and the places I played at could get down right ugly. The gun itself did not work but it did come in handy a couple of times. Needless to say, that amp got worked on an it never broke down again.:D
 
#63
BbbyBld said:
A lot of amp "techs" don't know much about electronics. All they know is what to replace on a particular popular model for a given symptom or how to perform popular mods. Often, they call anything that doesn't meet that criteria a piece of junk and/or tell you it's not worth repairing because they don't know how.

Amps with circuit boards are hated by another breed of tech (and sometimes the same as the first) that doesn't want to go through the trouble of taking the amp apart further than removing the chassis from the cabinet.

Some amp models may be great, but are a pain in the A$$ to repair because of complexity or construction. The OP's amp may be a solid amp, but it's not exactly as simple as a Deluxe. This tech could be great and is expressing frustration because he hates working on that model or he knows he will have to tap deeply into his troubleshooting chops. I was a tech and hated repairing certain amps. It didn't mean they were junk. Also, time spent on an amp like that means you can't spend time on your bread and butter amp repairs. Many times techs don't charge you for actual time spent (it can be days), they charge you fair, affordable standard hourly rates per job. Even though they may have spent days troubleshooting (plus figuring out how it's supposed to work when it's not broken), they may end up replacing one 5 cent part to fix the whole thing and charge you for an hour or 2 of labor. Enough times of dealing with amps like that can = his response.
Click to expand...

This is sooo true. Then there are the amps that were designed by folk, present company excepted of course, who were certain that their design would never go wrong. These amps are sometimes almost impossible to work on due to the way they were put together. Others with such obvious mistakes in construction like installing power resistors flush with the board.

That'll do, I'm getting ready to pull out the soapbox!!

Paul
 
#64
He's grumpy. Big deal. At least he's being real.
Don't be thin skinned. Talk to him. Engage him. Find our where's coming from and what he's seen. You might learn something. You might come out with a different opinion.
The way I see it is after all that driving you're invested so you might at least try get something out of the time and effort.
 
#66
I just caught up with this thread and have to say I laughed my tail off here reading along with you guys.

I will say right now I APPOLOGIZE for all the bad attitude, bad humor at your expense, trying to make you feel stupid, silly and weird while I was just trying to entertain myself during a boring day, sitting in the shop sweating over a hot soldering iron.

MAN... for years I thought torturing customers was part of the job. But now I realize that there are guys who have killed themselves over what I have said to them.

We just buried one of those guys a couple weeks ago.

Working in the radio shop circa 1980, a hallicrafters HT-37 on a chair in the middle of the room; the cover off the final compartment, tubes and high voltage exposed.

New ham ERIC walks into the shop, right past the sign that says, the insurance company doesn't allow you back here so turn around. But Eric is cooler than that.

Walks up to the HT-37 and goes whats wrong with this? Aw I had to replace the neutralizing capacitor as it was cracked and now I need to neutralize it.

He goes OH, is this the neutralizing cap? and he reaches into the final compartment where a pair of 6146's sit and right between the tubes sits the cap on a ceramic standoff and touches it with his index finger.

The HV lights his finger on fire, a huge puff of smelly smoke explodes off the finger and he yells owe and starts shaking his hand.

I answer, that was the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my life, WHY DID you do that...? MAN, now you have stunk up my shop... Eric...

The pressure was too much for him, 30 years later he ended his life. Actually I tell this story to honor the guy, but he sure felt stupid with the giant blister on his finger and me riding him for the next 5 years about it. AH, its the tech's right to give people crap.

BOB
 
#67
To be fair, those guys only see the worst of things when it comes to amps, but this can be a good thing too.

My amp tech really knows his s*it, been doing it for 25 years, and he is somewhat blunt. But this is because he cares. I have never met a tech or player who knows more about the history of all of the amp companies, when they have changed ownership, what that meant as far as components and quality, and the most common failings for each amp. He has the resume' to back it up too. He works on all the big session player amps in Nashville and has a huge waiting list for repairs. He can come off like a jerk, but he hates to see people waste money. He even mentions scenarios you would probably see with a certain amp and sure enough, it applies most every time.

I found out some things about Ampeg, (what I have used most of my life), that I did not like, but also found out things about many other amp\cabinet companies as well. I am changing my setups right now, (mostly because I am playing a different style of music and getting older), but also from what I have learned. I don't just take people at their word. I surf for a living, and everything my tech has shared with me has turned out to be correct.

A tech should never be rude or call your purchase junk, but he should be looking out for future problems and offer advice if solicited. I know most techs do not like to see an amp come in to their shop over and over again.
 
#71
johnk_10 said:
i've got news for you. even 'super high end amps' break down and require repairs. just because you spend alot of money on them doesn't give them immunity.
Click to expand...

Yeah, no amplifier is perfect. Every single one has parts that can wear out or prove defective, even if they passed initial quality control. Especially after years and years of gigging.

Even the best cars need engine work sometimes. It's no different with amps.
 
#74
Interesting stuff here.

As to my point of view, if the guy knows his stuff and does the work in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable amount of money, where is the problem?

I know many repair folks who absolutely loathe their jobs. They don't like doing what they are doing and tell everybody as well as run down the customer as well. they are unhappy people and it shows in their work and dealings with others. They will not be in business for long.

I know others that hate working on certain pieces of equipment. This has nothing to do with how good they are or are not, but how much of a pain in the backside they are to repair. Some of these pieces of equipment may be engineered wrong or are just idiotic designs from a repair standpoint. And being either of the two, the tech has to do 5x the work on said gear but cannot charge you for that amount of time. My dad used to say, of stuff such as this, "The guy who designed this should do another one and shove it up his arse!"

If a tech does not know what he is doing, he will not come well recommended from anyone. Or at least not for long.

As long as they guy didn't ask if you were brain dead for buying such a POS and run you down, I see no foul. It goes with the territory in dealing with some folks.

An example of the latter. I had an outboard motor worked on way back in the day. I went to a huge local marine and tackle dealer. The staff were friendly and the drop off went well. When I returned to pick up the motor, same deal. The work was done, the price was fair, the work done on time and the counter staff great. All was well. Until the tech wheeled the motor out on the dolly. he then said loudly when the ******* come for this piece of crap it will be sitting over here.

The counter guy looked at me like he was going to die. I picked up my motor, thanked the counter guy and left.

The next day I went back and asked to speak to the owner of the place. He got the whole run down. I told him unless that man was reprimanded he would never see another dime of my money. I did not say fired, but spoken to about his attitude and what the guy who provided the cash for his salary heard him say. The owner said he would look into it. they didn't want to piss the guy off as he was a good worker and a long time member of the staff (I later find out he is also a brother and head of the service dept). I said to the owner, "well then, good day" And never went back.

But that is a whole different scenario than described here. Of course you have the option of not going there ever again. You do hold all the cards....
 
#75
Raymeous said:
Mild thread hijack but I had a similar situation when I went to go take bass lessons.

I was a fairly new guitarist with maybe 3 or 4 years of being 95% self taught. Well I needed a bass so I picked up what I could afford at the time which ended up being the then new Squier II P-bass in black, no pick guard, and a maple neck and board. Anyway when I went in for the lesson the teacher had a top of the line Fender P Special and I received no end of crap about owning a POS bass. Um sorry dude I'm 15 what the hell do you expect?! I don't have a job much less the cash for a "REAL" bass...
Click to expand...

I was chatting with my guitar player a long while back. We both give lessons, too. He told me he never insults a student's instrument. He said some kid'll come in with his new "whoever signature" model, all a-glow about it, and even though it was a total piece of crap, he'd pick it up and play it a bit (making it sound great, of course) and say, "yeah, this is a sweet guitar here!"

The student felt good, and continued learning to play. Eventually, it is assumed, he would get to playing professionally and figure out what he needed in a pro-quality axe. But in his own good time.

I took that advice to heart. Considering the total heap of sh!t I learned to play on, any student model bass is pretty good, anyway :-)

As for amp techs, well, just let what they say roll off your back as long as they can fix the thing. They're just that way.
 
#76
hooda1 said:
I can remember sometime ago when I had to have my amp worked on. At that time, (Fender Bassman if I recall right), I carried it in a homemade wooden box. When the tech opened the box, he looked at me in surprise. I had forgotten that I had an old .45 caliber hand gun in the box with the amp...
Click to expand...

That's damn funny! I often throw a piece in my gig bag depending on where I'm playing... Maybe I'll tuck it into my amp next time it goes in for service :-)
 
#77
All they see are broken ones. From their perspective the entire world is filled with amps that need repair.

I used to work for my Dad's swimming pool repair service when I was a kid. I still won't own a pool or spa because most of the ones I've seen needed some type of repair. Nothing but problems...
 
#78
Captain Marvel said:
'christ, not one of those pieces of s**t, I did'nt think anyone used them' ... ' hope you did'nt buy that new' ... 'a 10th of the price would have been a rip off'.
Click to expand...

I'd give a lot to hear John Cleese say that in a Monty Python sketch. It would just sound so cool to hear that in a British accent. Of course, it sounded regular to the OP.
 

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