Frequently Asked Questions

In general, a “Bench Fee” is the fee repair shops charge to diagnose electronics components and circuits. This fee covers the labor cost of putting your equipment on our "bench" and testing/troubleshooting it to uncover any issues and what is needed for repair. Often, the most difficult part of amp repair is diagnosing the problem.

Our Bench Fee is a non-refundable deposit that is collected at the time any equipment is dropped off for servicing, repairs, and/or mods. This fee covers diagnostics (visual exam, circuit test, tube testing, etc.) and is thus applied to the first hour of labor. Often a simple problem can be fixed during diagnostics. If that is the case, then the Bench Fee will cover the cost of the simple repair. If the problem(s) is more complicated and will cost more than the Bench Fee to repair, then we will contact you with a service/repair estimate. If you decline to move forward with the service/repair estimate, then the Bench Fee will be retained to cover the cost of diagnostics.

The Bench Fee is to be paid in-full at the time equipment is dropped off for servicing/repairs. Please see our Services page for further information on Bench Fees and Labor Rates.

Yes, but it ultimately depends upon the amp or pedal and what kind of mod or customization you want completed. So, please contact us to book an appointment for a consultation to discuss what you’d like to have modded or customized.

Yes, but it absolutely depends upon the amp and its current condition. Same for pedals. We enjoy bringing once-thought dead amps and pedals back to life. This is often the nature of the work we do. However, we avoid working on amps or pedals that have been previously stripped for parts and/or are in extreme disrepair. We also do not build any partially assembled or unassembled “kit” amps or “kit” pedals purchased by clients. So, please contact us to book an appointment for a consultation.

Currently, we are only receiving in-person service/repairs.

Yes, this is work we enjoy and a service we provide from time-to-time. So, feel free to contact us to book an appointment for a consultation on tolex and/or grill cloth restoration of your amp.

First, check the fuse. ALWAYS check the fuse first if your amp stops functioning/won’t turn on. Sometimes a new fuse is all an amp needs to function properly.

As a matter of safety for you and your amp, the fuse MUST be the correct size and type for the amplifier. Most amps will note the correct size and type of fuse on the amp itself, often next to the fuse holder. However, some amplifiers do have multiple fuses—and some of these fuses can be located inside the amplifier chassis. So, if you are unsure of the correct size, type, and location of your amp’s fuse(s), then contact us and we’ll take a look at it for you.

No, we do not offer in-person service calls.

No, we do not currently perform work covered by any manufacturer’s warranties. All service/repair work performed in our shop is billed directly to the client.

In general, we only service/repair amplifiers, pedals, and similar effects units. As such, we typically do not work on HiFi systems and similar audio equipment.

In general, we only service/repair amplifiers, pedals, and similar effects units. As such, we typically do not work on keyboards, electric pianos, and synths.

No, we only service/repair amplifiers, pedals, and occasionally other kinds of similar equipment.

If you are in need of guitar/bass repairs in the Kansas City metropolitan area, then we highly recommend our good friends at Fountain City Guitarworks. They do amazing work!

Let’s be honest, amplifiers and effects pedals often take the worst beating and abuse of any piece of live audio equipment. What’s more, both amps and pedals have components and parts that naturally degrade and wear over time. An amplifier, like an automobile, needs regular maintenance and care to ensure that it operates at peak performance and lives a long, healthy life. That said, even brand-new tube amplifiers should have their power tubes checked and biased at least once a year if they are played regularly. Having a tech check over your amp on a regular basis gives you piece of mind to write, record, and perform music without worrying if your gear is going to have issues.

Capacitors degrade over time, causing them to dry out and/or become leaky. When this happens, it can increase unwanted output noise as well as affect the amplifier’s tone. Dry and leaky caps are also more likely to fail, potentially damaging the amplifier’s other components. So, it is good practice to test for, and replace as needed, any noisy or malfunctioning electrolytic capacitors anytime an amp is serviced.

“Re-capping” an amplifier most often involves replacing the amp’s stock electrolytic capacitors with low-noise, high-audio-grade capacitors. These are often the filter and bias capacitors in the amp’s power section but can also be the bypass capacitors in the preamp section. Similarly, a tone capacitor modification involves replacing the stock tone caps in the amp’s preamp section with handpicked, high-grade capacitors for maximizing the amplifier’s desired tone and response. In either case, it’s best to first inspect the amp’s circuitry before providing an accurate cost estimate for a re-cap job. The labor and cost of replacing capacitors in amplifiers can vary depending upon the type and quantity of capacitors in the amp as well as the overall condition of the amp’s internal circuitry (e.g., an old brittle PCB vs point-to-point wiring).

In general, power tubes need biasing and preamp tubes don’t. Proper biasing of power tubes is imperative for the best performance and longest life the tubes. In fact, most amplifier and tube manufacturers recommend that power tubes should be checked at least once a year—and even more frequently if the amplifier is used nearly every day.

Biasing a tube amplifier adjusts the negative voltage applied to the power tube’s control grid to set the level of idle current. Like setting the idle on a car, it is necessary. And power tubes must be biased (or have the bias verified) anytime they are replaced—no exceptions.

We do our best to keep as many parts and components as possible in-stock, but it’s not always possible to have everything on hand at all times. Sometimes replacement parts are subject to manufacturer or vendor availability, and other times there is a very specific kind of part that is required/necessary to properly repair an amplifier. Whenever possible, though, we try to offer options for out-of-stock or special-order parts. If parts must be ordered to complete the service/repair, then we will do our best to give you an estimated timeframe for the arrival and installation of those parts.