Amplifier Repair and Maintenance

When it comes to amplifier repair, Garrow Custom Guitars does not discriminate!  Service is available on all makes and models of amplifiers, tube or transistor.  

$40 minimum bench fee for amplifier repairs.  The  bench fee, which  will apply toward the total price, covers diagnosis and some simple repairs.  Below is a short list of amplifier maintenance packages available.  Other repairs will be quoted on a case by case basis.

Tube Amp Tune Up

If it's been awhile since your tube amplifier has been serviced, it will most likely benefit from a tune up.  High voltage, heat, and age can cause components to change value or fail.  If your amplifier seems to have lost tone or power, it needs to be tuned up.

Garrow Custom Guitars will perform a "tune up" on your tube amp. Single channel "practice amp" $40 + parts.  Dual channel combo amp or larger $80 - $120 plus parts. Price will depend on size of amp and condition. This includes the following:

• Check all tubes and replace as necessary (Power tubes are replaced with matched sets.  Tubes that test good will not be replaced unless requested by customer)

• Clean and re-tension tube sockets

• Adjust power tube bias

• Clean input and output jacks

• Clean and check potentiometers (controls) and replace as necessary

• Check fuse size and replace if out of spec (safety check)

• Check power supply filter capacitors and replace if necessary

• Check coupling capacitors and replace as necessary

• Check resistors and replace if out of tolerance

• Check reverb unit and repair if necessary

• Check and clean speaker connections.  Tighten if necessary

• Clean inside of chassis

• Check operation of amplifier

A tune up includes cleaning and checking the most critical parts of your amplifier's circuitry. Tubes and filter capacitors are checked and replaced as needed. Components that have failed or that are no longer in tolerance are replaced.

Transistor Amp Tune Up 

Transistor amplifiers are more stable than tube amps, but can still require maintenance.  If the controls are scratchy sounding or the sound cuts out, it may just need a "tune up". Single channel practice amp $40 plus parts.  Dual channel combo amp and larger $50 - $80 depending on size of amplifier and extent of work.

Garrow Custom Guitars will perform a "tune up" on your transistor amp.  This includes the following:

• Clean and check input and output jacks. 

• Clean and check potentiometers (controls).  Replace as necessary

• Check fuse size and replace if out of spec

• Check reverb unit and repair if necessary

• Check and clean speaker connections.  Tighten if necessary

• Clean inside of chassis

• Check operation of amplifier

3 Prong AC Power Cord Conversion

This modification is highly recommended because it is a safety issue.  Some older amplifiers are wired with a 2 prong AC power cord, which can be a serious shock hazard.  Garrow Custom Guitars will install a 3 prong grounded cord on your older Fender amp for $50 parts included.  Other amplifiers will be quoted on a case by case basis.