Pay a tech but amp is not repaired?

[LilRay]

Are you the same guy that thought Markbass should fix an amp that was dropped for free??? - seems a bit inconsistant, IMO...


- georgestrings

Not inconsistant at all brother. Different set of circumstances entirely infact.

The MarkBass was taken to the factory center (ie; the Corporation that owns MarkBass) had the call to fix the amp under good will or charge to repair it.

This circumstance As far as I know is an idividual, more than likely working cheaper than the factory would to repair the amps. Not to mention the OP had a chance to stop this person early on, after the first try and unsuccessful diagnosis.

The major difference being MarkBass invested nothing before they got prior approval to repair Todd's amp.

The guy who tried repairing these was "fishing" obviously not knowing what he was doing.

If you hire a shadetree mechanic to "fish" for what's wrong with your car, you take the chance that they'll be able to repair things quickly. But in the event that they run their bill up looking around and guessing, their legal claims to monies owed is no less viable than a dealers.

This boils down to the old addage "You get what you pay for. "

God Bless, Ray

 

[JimiLL]

This really boils my blood.

I've been a tech since Carter was elected. In my industry, I'm the last guy that gets called before the salvage company. I have NEVER charged for a diagnosis that ended up finding the thing was terminal or for something I just couldn't fix or for taking a second pass on a problem I didn't get the first time.

It is all about respecting the customer and value in the honor system.

I also do not have any trouble staying busy.

Ethics, integrity and compassion will make you more money over the long run than silly little gamesmanship.

Find a better tech.

This

 

[Luckydog]

Theres the ethical, professional way which jerrold tiers mentioned. But if the tech isnt playing, youre out because if he has your gear you dont get it back without paying.

 

[ranjam]

.....The tech claimed to have worked on dozens of SWR type amps. He replaced the output transistors and some capacitors but the amps still do not work. The 4004 is silent and the 350 has a hum....

That's not very smart of your tech. Capacitors do go, but not as often as everyone thinks. But with DC circuits, if the SWR is as I suspect, you can have drivers go as well. Emitter resistors also like to open up. No, you need a solid state tech, and not a tube jockey who knows a little about solid state.

 

[delta7fred]

...., you need a solid state tech, and not a tube jockey who knows a little about solid state.

+1

There is world of difference between swapping tubes in an all tube amp and diagnosing a fault in a solid state one.

Although not an amp tech I have repaired my fair share being an EE. Some points I would raise are.

I would never just say 'Repair it', that gives the tech free reign to spend as much as he likes. I would always qualify it with 'if it is going to be more than (insert your chosen amount) then contact me'.

When I have repaired amps I would never put more into them in either time or parts than I would be prepared to pay, without first checking with the owner. I am a Yorkshireman so that is not a lot. (Definition of a Yorkshireman - Similar to the Scots but without the generosity).

If I could not repair an amp I would not charge. That has only happened twice in about 45 years, once with my own where the PCB had burned beyond economic repair and the other was for a good friend who persists in buying old junk. This amp had more corrosion inside than I have ever seen before. I think it had spent most of it's life in a damp cellar.