To me, that's a cop out on his part in not wanting to do repairs. I had a couple of well rated amp techs here in So. Cal. pass on working on a TF amp.
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Dave Funk AWOL???
- Thread starter Chicken Dog
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- funk thunderfunk
Can I ask what the issue is?
Curious, because I had an issue, had a local guy work on it, still had the issue, so I sent it to Dave. At that point things got weird, and long story I no longer have the amp.
Agree. Maybe he's too old, or in bad health, or what ever... like you said - cop out.
He built a thing, and had a lot of loyal people buy into it. If you are done, and want to get out, there is a better way to do it.
Did you get it back from him or just give up on it?
I bought it used & it was never sounding right, the limiter light didn't work & it got to where it was distorting some. It's supposed to be a very clean amp. Also, I get a huge pop when I switch from SS to Tube on "the switch". The limiter now works better but I still hear this underlying distortion to the sound as a note rings out. It's more noticeable with the limiter on but does it without the limiter too. This is especially evident if I hit a harmonics chord & let it ring out. It's like there is a fuzz box in the parallel effects loop set a low volume. Also now the pop from SS to Tube is even worse. So much for anyone being able to fix theses amps. The tech I went to is well known & an official warranty station for many well know major brands.
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My problem was a pop - almost like a little electrical discharge - and the pop happened on a regular time interval (every 12 seconds or something). It made the amp unusable on any gig, or even at home.
I sent the amp to Dave and he told me there was nothing wrong with it, and it was obviously a problem with my other equipment. Had to be my speakers, or speaker cables. He went on about how he pounded on the amp with a rubber mallet and couldn't get it to make any noise
I had different cabs, different cables, different basses, different amps, different locations with different electrical, etc... I use to work in AV and fully understand the process of troubleshooting to eliminate a problem. Never had anything similar before or after, so I don't know.
Anyway, he agreed to provide an official clean bill of health, and I sold the amp. I had Dave ship it (and the case) directly to the buyer from his shop in order to avoid shipping charges back to me, then to the seller.
I felt like I couldn't keep it. What if he said no problem, I got it back, and it still had the problem. Then I had a broken amp I couldn't use and I wasn't looking to get into a rabbit hold of amp repair.
The buyer was fully aware of everything and reported no problems. I kind of suspect that he fixed the problem before he shipped it off. I was pretty frustrated by my experience by the time the amp actually got to Dave, and maybe I rubbed him the wrong way? I don't know - but after two AMPs, a TFB 550, and a TFB 800, that was it for me.
This was like four or five years ago.
FYI - Dave told me when I bought my 550B that the pop when using the "switch" was to be expected.
And no doubt, if you had everything turned up, it was a very annoying and loud pop. But having known that,
I never switched it with volume up, and other than that, the amp has always worked great for me. Never needed to switch it during a song - that would be a pedal's job.
Maybe same thing with the limiter light. You really had to bang on the bass for it to light up, and I think it
was more of a "heavy compression" vs. "any compression" light IF I remember right. Which is doubtful
I am still scratching my head over this whole thing. But I would be scratching a lot more if I got screwed as it sounds like some of you did. I guess Walter Woods kept service going longer than David did. Oh well.
FYI - Dave told me when I bought my 550B that the pop when using the "switch" was to be expected.
And no doubt, if you had everything turned up, it was a very annoying and loud pop. But having known that,
I never switched it with volume up, and other than that, the amp has always worked great for me. Never needed to switch it during a song - that would be a pedal's job.
Maybe same thing with the limiter light. You really had to bang on the bass for it to light up, and I think it
was more of a "heavy compression" vs. "any compression" light IF I remember right. Which is doubtful
I am still scratching my head over this whole thing. But I would be scratching a lot more if I got screwed as it sounds like some of you did. I guess Walter Woods kept service going longer than David did. Oh well.
Mine pops really loud with the volume all the way off. My friend's 750A does not do that. There is a small pop going from tube to ss but the ss to tube is insanely loud.
The limiter light did not come on at all before, it does now as expected. The repair order stated the limiter was not functioning properly. It's better but still not fully fixed. At least I didn't send it in to Dave. I can't even get a hold of him at all! Seriously lame!!!
I have the BBB (Illinois) involved in my amp delivery issue now. I've tried him by phone and email a couple of times over the last week. Will keep you all posted.
Kudos. It's amazing how often people will post, sometimes for over a decade, without lifting a finger in the real world to prevent others from getting scammed... and they'll attack anyone who suggests they get proper authorities involved. Sad, but true.
You may want to also contact the police, etc. At some point this is very arguably interstate fraud.
Best of luck!
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FYI I just got a call from Dave Funk! Blew me away LOL! He did answer my questions & was very helpful. He says he is retired & not building amps or taking any in for service anymore. He also said something about his son was supposed to update the site or maybe take it down & put up some kind of wiki so info on the amps would still be available. It seems like things have been in limbo for a long time as this thread dates back to 2017!
That’s great.
Just gotta tell people what’s going on.
I hope he settles all his outstanding accounts.
Agree
And just shut things down in general - let people know what’s going on - how they can get their old amps fixed - etc.
I'm glad that you got a call. I finally received a response to an email where - again - he offered to allow me to cancel my order. That means cancel the amp order and no refund - which is stunning. I keep pushing via email, phone calls, BBB for either an amp or a refund (to be specific, I've asked for either delivery of an amp or 50% of my payment back to call it done).
IMHO, he owes you the amp you ordered or a full refund. Anything less is pure BS! I would get the Chicago DA's office & the Illinois Attorney General involved as well.
Agreed, along with the posting in this thread. It's not likely a coincidence.
Anything less than the amp or full refund is interstate felony fraud. Look it up.
Respectfully, @srcTW , don't be like those in the stickied scam threads who've allowed, effectively enabled and de-facto abetted rip-offs by not getting the authorities involved when proper remedy was clearly not forthcoming.
Wish you the best.
Thanks. I’m debating doing this given the effort involved. Will probably make an inquiry and see how hard/easy this will be.
Much respect to you.
Most never even make that initial call. Hopefully any effort involved is worth the several hundred dollars you'd otherwise give up by accepting his (IMO) unacceptable offer.
Best of luck!
Small claims court should also be considered. I'd get him in front of Judge Judy if it were me.
