Recommended AMP TECHS

Revolutions

Any recommendations for central/south London?

JPF & Sweet Amps are both away until May 

Lestratcaster

Don't suppose anyone knows anyone in the West London area? Most of the links posted have either packed up or not working anymore. 

My Marshall DSL5cr has stopped working (I think the output tubes are gone). That Dave Barlow guy can't do it til August, and the only other one (local-ish) I can find is Surrey Amps or Surrey Audio Works. Might give Surrey Audio Works a go as he's a bit closer than Surrey Amps, the guy (Ewan?) has a lot of positive reviews and seems to know what he's doing.

Lestratcaster

Managed to speak to Surrey Audio Works. They have a 3 week lead time so I'll have to wait it out to drop it off. Read a few bad reviews on Surrey Amps about eh owner, Stan I think his name is. That put me off so I am aiming to swerve them. Seems to be a shortage of local amp techs and a long lead time 3-4 weeks for any that are still around.

I did look at the Andy Horseman guy but that's all the way in Horley so a lot of travel, plus if he does have a 4 week lead time I may as well wait for Surrey Audio Works.

In the meantime I have the 1 watt DSL version that should hopefully keep me going til I get this one fixed, its a year younger than the 5 watt (bought in 2018) so should be alright.

Lestratcaster

An update: Got the amp into Surrey Audio Works last week after waiting 5 weeks to get it booked in. Diagnosed preamp and output tubes have gone and the main fuse has also blown. Replaced and I picked it up yesterday. Sounding great.
Really happy with the service, so a full endorsement of Surrey Audio Works from me. Will definitely go back and use them again.

Snags

JerkMoans said:

Anyone have a recommendation in N London/Herts?

@JerkMoans ; Late to the party, but Sick Amps in Harlow have done right by me. before. There's also someone in the general Barnet area - I don't have their details but can get them from a now-absent forumer who uses them for all their kit, and isn't someone who would use anyone crappy.

albanov

Any recommendations for techs in central Birmingham? Guitar Guitar have pointed me in the direction of someone in Walsall but a bit closer to home would be ideal

soma1975

Anyone wanting SE London look at Ian Dickinson who is incredible. 

Neilybob

JerkMoans said:

Anyone have a recommendation in N London/Herts?

Talk to Sol at https://www.solsound.com/ ;

He repaired a combo I had a couple of years ago. 

oeljadi

Snags said:

JerkMoans said:

Anyone have a recommendation in N London/Herts?

@JerkMoans ; Late to the party, but Sick Amps in Harlow have done right by me. before. There's also someone in the general Barnet area - I don't have their details but can get them from a now-absent forumer who uses them for all their kit, and isn't someone who would use anyone crappy.

I second SickAmps. Worth travelling from central London for. Chris is great.

robdynamite

Hey all, I’m looking for a recommendation for a tech to service my jcm800. I’m in Redcar (near Middlesbrough) I used someone in Sunderland. Barry Cameron, I think? Nearly 8 years ago and this amp has been getting some serious use of late and would benefit from a look over. Cheers!

ditchboy

robdynamite said:

Hey all, I’m looking for a recommendation for a tech to service my jcm800. I’m in Redcar (near Middlesbrough) I used someone in Sunderland. Barry Cameron, I think? Nearly 8 years ago and this amp has been getting some serious use of late and would benefit from a look over. Cheers!

Pretty sure the best in the NE is Martin at Stoneham Amps. Never used him myself but has an excellent reputation. Realise it’s a bit of a trek from where you are though! 

robdynamite

nice one, appreciate the reply. I've just reached out to "Cuenet" in Sunderland who seem to specialise in valve amps so will see their reply and also check Stoneham next.

Neilybob

Just had great service from Stuart at Berkshire Amp Repair in Reading.  Highly recommended. 

Shipwreck

Any SE Londoners used Twang Music in Penge? I'm local and got a guitar setup by them and noticed they do amp repairs too. Otherwise likely to check out Dickinson in Crystal Palace 

Mehj

Dave_Y said:

Anyone know any amp techs in Hull?
Got a couple of contacts but they appear to be generalists rather than specialists. Otherwise I've been looking wider Yorkshire and Rosewell seem like the pole position option for my poorly '69 Bassman. 
I looked up Mac Amps but it appears that Howard isn't in the best of health at the moment and respectfully don't want to bother him. I'm about an hour and half drive from both. 

Audio Archaeology are Hull based. 

James Wortley
Electronic engineer
01482 442296
James.wortley@gmx.co.uk

James is really lovely and does a good job. 

He's revalved, recapped, serviced my mesa mark4 combo. 

Revalved, recapped, serviced my Jcm800 head. 

And fitted a 4 way switch in my Pacifica 311ms.

Two band mates have also used him. 

For one, James modded a blues junior and rescued a Victory Copper head at short notice. 

For the other he sorted an Orange Amp with continual issues that event the Orange techs couldn't resolve. 

Based just off Newland Ave. 

(appreciate that your original comment is years old. Hopefully that info is of use in future.)

parker_knoll

Shipwreck said:

Any SE Londoners used Twang Music in Penge? I'm local and got a guitar setup by them and noticed they do amp repairs too. Otherwise likely to check out Dickinson in Crystal Palace 

Dickinson stopped doing amps for a while. Check before heading there

Shipwreck

Just collected my Artisan 15 from Dickinson in Crystal Palace. Kindly lugged the backbreaker out to the front (after I lugged it up the stairs the other week!). Looks incredibly clean and no weird noises now. Very personable and communicative - was ready within a number of days but couldn't get to collect it for a week later. would recommend

the_upsetter

I forgot to add Dave Barlow in Thames Ditton / Surbiton to this thread after an extremely positive experience with him repairing and servicing my AC15. The work was illustrated by several videos detailing his testing method and thoroughness in ensuring that the fault did not return post-repair. He's a thoroughly nice chap too.. easy to deal with and totally recommended.

scovell001

Can anyone recommend any Amptech’s in the Hampshire/New Forest region? 

Bowks

Shipwreck said:

Any SE Londoners used Twang Music in Penge? I'm local and got a guitar setup by them and noticed they do amp repairs too. Otherwise likely to check out Dickinson in Crystal Palace 

Hello neighbour! I’m in Catford. Did you find out if Dickinson are taking on amp repairs again? I’m thinking of getting my Marshall serviced and that would be the most convenient place to do it.