Amp Repairs - How we work
Surrey Amplifiers also known as 'The Amp. Hospital' are specialists in the repair and electronic refurbishment of amplifiers and other audio equipment. We are experts in both solid-state, valve and digital equipment.
Before any work is undertaken, the equipment is initially checked for faults and to see whether a repair is feasible proposition. It is essential that following a repair equipment will be reliable and compliant with current electrical safety requirements. If this is not thought to be the case the equipment will be returned with a small charge for the inspection and any serious abnormalities found during the examination, like poor previous repairs or signs of serious overheating or damage, is photographed and presented as part of a report. A complete analysis is carried out on the equipment and a quotation for the repair is provided. Components within the equipment that are known to suffer degradation through aging are either thoroughly checked or replaced as part of routine service. Only quality branded components and, where possible, the manufacturer's specific parts are used for the repair. Obsolete items like transformers can be reverse engineered and rewinds undertaken. Valves are tested using original Mullard equipment and data and their characteristics matched for prime performance. Matched dual or quad sets replaced at the time of repair can be bar coded so that in future there is no need for the equipment to come back for re-biasing – you just quote the bar code. Specifications on a wide range of valves and other components are kept on our database. We will only work on equipment (unless the equipment is very old) where we are provided with the manufacturer's full service information which includes circuit schematics, test specifications, and where a full material items lists are provided..
All our test equipment is regularly maintained and calibrated to National Standards. We work in a fully Static-Controlled Environment with Lead and Lead-free rework facilities. We work down to component level, which includes Surface Mount Components.
As well as our secure service database, we also maintain a large inventory of manufacturer's spares, (Fender, Mesa, Marshall, Mackie, Eden, Randall) so that turnaround time for a general repair, where say a control shaft has sheared or input socket is broken, is kept to an absolute minimum. Valves and other general components are always in stock.
Valve biasing is carried out dynamically. All repairs are actively soak tested using special computerised ATE to ensure there is no intermittency and we are confident in its reliability. (Our return rate is below 0.5%! by adopting these stringent test routines).
A full set of results are provided including snapshots of any waveforms taken at final test. The equipment is finally tested for electrical safety using a PAT tester and a sated Safety label affixed to the equipment.
If necessary a separate certificate can be provided.
Our Charges:
Single Item: Inspection of equipment and quotation: £44.00 + VAT (£51.70)
(Only charged if a quotation is rejected or equipment is not recommended for repair)
Manufacturer's Component Parts: We are prepared to supply the actual manufacturer's component parts from our large spares inventory but please be aware there a minimum charge of £25 + Postage + VAT (Typically £36.15). This is to cover our administration costs and the fact that a considerable number of parts have to be imported.
We are currently contracted to provide Warranty and Non-Warranty repairs to Loud Technologies, (Mackie Designs, Ampeg, Crate ) Westside Distribution, (Mesa and AER), US Music Corporation (Eden & Randall)
Documentation can be customised for business clients and within our area we will collect and return in our own transport where contracts are in place. Delivery and Collection throughout the UK, including Ireland, can be arranged if necessary.
Please always let us have your mobile number as upon completion and the Test Report sheet is printed, you will automatically be texted and e-mailed informing you that your equipment is ready for collection.
NEW:
If you are bringing in your equipment and travelling in from some distance, we now offer a service, where by prior arrangement, we will examine your equipment whilst you enjoy a delicious meal served any time of day with a 10% discount at our local restaurant AVERNA . If the fault can be rectified within a couple of hours it will save you a second journey. In any case you will be texted advising you of our findings.
By prior arrangement we can meet you at Hampton Court Railway Station if you are coming down by train from Waterloo. We ask you to telephone from Waterloo advising what train you are on as the train leaves
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