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Repair / Maintenance questions

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Terry King
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 05:47 am:   

I recently bought a 210-Sixty-five (it has the 12ax7 tube). I intend to take it to an amp tech for maintenance and repair, but before I do I want to ask a couple of questions here to get some opinions, if possible (I've never bought an old amp before).

First, the clean channel doesn't really work. If I turn the Vol up all the way, I hear a faint, fuzzy sound. Is there any way to guess what might be wrong? The other channel sounds great, very strong.

The reverb doesn't work. Period. However, the tremolo works fine.

It appears to have the original tubes -- Sylvania power tubes and a GE 12ax7. Is there any way of testing old tubes to determine how they're doing, or should I just keep using them if they sound fine?

Lastly, can anyone recommend an amp tech in NYC who has experience with Music Man amps? I gather that they're somewhat unique, and a tech who's very comfortable with other vintage amps might not know what to do with a MM. Is this a concern?

Thanks a lot for any information. This board is a godsend.
Warren Peace
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:00 am:   

Sounds like your amp needs work.
The 1st channel issue you mention could just be as simple as oxidized input jacks, or a more complicated pre amp issue. Please hold an optical mouse over the chassis so we can see :-)

Regarding NYC Techs, there are 2 that I've used
with varying results. Dennis Kager @ Central Jersey music, down the block from the Edison NJ Sam Ash, and Jess Oliver (Oliver Amplification) in Long Island. Dennis designed and consulted on quite a number of amps for Ampeg Soldano, Reverend, Sundowner, etc..

Jess designed the Ampeg Portaflex series (B-12,
B-15, B-15N, B-18, etc.) Jess is good, but a little distant, Dennis is good, but as the authorized repair facility for Fender, Marshall, Mesa, Peavey, and others - your amp may not get the TLC that it needs - in one visit.

You may also want to look through the other postings on this site. Theres a fellow named Terry who is truely a specialist with MM amps.
Many who've utilized his expertise have stated
their satisfaction here. Chassis shipment
would probably be necessary.