Guitar Amplifier Service and Repair Costs
We have created a basic guide to the cost of servicing and repairs for guitar and bass amplifiers. We like to be as transparent as possible in our pricing structure, and rather than quoting on an hourly basis alone we prefer to give you a rough overall cost. It is important to understand this is based on a straight forward repair.
We have lots of experience and may decline work that we think is going to be uneconomical or where we don’t think that we would provide the best value service.
Please note that these are our minimum charged costs and will apply once equipment is brought to the workshop and booked into the system as “received at workshop”. This simply means that this charge applies if we look at the equipment and either it is totally wrecked and or beyond economical repair, it also applies if we are unable to find a fault as it is out time spent investigating and proving by measurements and testing to electronic specifications. In most instances for straight forward repairs the hour is the most you’ll pay but this entirely depends on the fault and equipment.
This cost covers our time to manage the ticket and goes towards the diagnostics and attempt to repair. Around 80% of a repair is first in the diagnostics, the remainder 20% is the remedial or repair work and in about 90% of standard amps with standard faults the issue can be identified and resolved within the hour.
Solid State Amp Service
A comprehensive testing and inspection of solid state amplifiers to make sure they're ready to rock.- Visual Inspection inside
- Cleaning of all controls with DeOxit Cleaner
- Airline cleaning of internal dust Fan & Heatsink
- Thermographic check for temperature instabilities
- Visual check for Solder Joints
- Load testing to at least 50% saturation for 1/2 hour
Valve Amp Service
A comprehensive testing and inspection of valve amplifiers to make sure they're in tip top condition.- Checking of storage capacitors
- Checking coupling capacitors
- Internal visual check
- Thermographic check for overheating
- Visual check of Solder joints where accessible
- Preamp Valve check
- Power Amp Valve check
- Cleaning of cracking Pots & Controls with DEoxit cleaner
Popular Parts replaced during an amp service:
Below is a list of popular items we regularly get asked for cost. This will allow you to add the service cost(above) and the below parts to give you a very rough estimate.
- Mesa Amp service / Repairs from £155
Due to the complexity we charge more for all Mesa products, we are one of the best Mesa repairers in the country and are regularly recommended by Mesa US, if we cannot repair a Mesa amp, nobody can!
- Standard Input/ Speaker Jack £8
average cost for a input jack, different manufactures use specific parts and prices can vary but as a rough guide
- Storage Capacitor (F&T/ quality brand / Component) £12
Large DC value storage capacitors used to store the High Voltage in valve amps, often calls excessive humming
- Preamp Valve From £25
These are the smaller valves closest to the input jack usually.
- Output Valves POA
Price varies depending on quantity and size i.e. EL84, EL34, 6L6/ 5881, 6V6 Installed in matched sets of pairs, quads
- PAT test your equipment From £5
We can test your equipment when in for repair and offer a reduced rate service. Tests include a PDF certificate and sticker on appliance.
- Solid State Amplifier Repair £100/ Hour
Hourly rate for repair. This is our minimum fee for all repairs of this type and is payable even if you decline a repair or the repair us found to be uneconomical.
- Valve amplifier Repair £120 / Hour
Hourly rate for repair. This is our minimum fee for all repairs of this type and is payable even if you decline a repair or the repair us found to be uneconomical.