Carvin's back in the shop

DankStar

DankStar

Her Little Mojo Minion
So my carvin ts100 power amp is cutting out on one side again. I just got it looked at last spring. I didn't play a whole lot this summer, but it acted a bit weird then, I should have taken it right in. The same tech is going to look at it again, but I tell ya, if it keeps this up I'm going with a rocktron velocity. The tech was all mad that I was even asking him to look at it again (he started the conversation by saying he doesn't even repair tube amps anymore). It's basically sat in my room since his last fix, and I've played it maybe 15 times since then. Leads me to believe the problem was there then but I dunno. I've got amps that were made in the 60s that have held up fine for like 10 years (since they were last serviced), not even needing new tubes. What do you guys make of this? Did I buy a lemon or what?!
 
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Re: Carvin's back in the shop

Where do you live at? I'd find a new tech, it sounds like this guy doesn't know what he's doing.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

Shooter.556 said:
Where do you live at? I'd find a new tech, it sounds like this guy doesn't know what he's doing.
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North of L.A. - far enough for it to be a huge PITA to have to drive into Hollywood (or beyond) for a repair. I went with a closer guy/company (name withheld since I'm not trying to throw him under the bus) that had a fair number of positive yelp and google reviews. Plus he's an authorized boogie tech, and has been in the trade for a number of years.

I personally think this is a case where I bought an amp that was dropped and/or abused and I'm paying the piper for having purchased it. I understand trying to chase cutting out problems - you could theoretically have to re-do every solder connection.

Not to say I'd rush back to him with a different amp, but I've gone down a path with this guy and I've got to see it through.
 
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Re: Carvin's back in the shop

You should have originally gone straight to Carvin in Hollywood. That is if they're still there.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

Is Carvin still in state at all? If so, I would still think it would be worth it to take the drive (even given what I know of such) Carvin would probably fix it for a fee, or barring such, maybe even replace it. Unless, of course, their business ethic has diminished over the years.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

Call Carvin and ask if you can ship it to them for a repair estimate with details on the trouble and who you took it to.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

DrNewcenstein said:
Call Carvin and ask if you can ship it to them for a repair estimate with details on the trouble and who you took it to.
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If it was a diezel or something, I'd do that. It's a $600 power amp (well, the new one is that much, the old ones like mine were less; although mine's got a sick quad of Tesla tubes) bought used for $340, that I already sunk $100 into. I can't be paying shipping two ways plus another repair charge. It's not even worth the time and gas to drive to san diego.

If the dude can't fix it, at this point all I can do is demand my money back, and sell the dumb thing, either tubes and amp separately, or together as-is.
 
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Re: Carvin's back in the shop

I saw a good price on an old marshall 100w el34 power amp on reverb the other day.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

JeffB said:
I saw a good price on an old marshall 100w el34 power amp on reverb the other day.
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yeah, I think I'm done buying amps off reverb, lol. plus, I'm growing tired of the "who's going to fix my tube amp on the cheap?" thing. I'll go with a velocity or some piece of crap disposable bugera with an effects loop I can use as a power amp.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

I don't know what the heck is going on. Dude calls today and says he fired it up and it works fine. I bring it home, do a check with the previous cab and speaker cord and a different amp - those are all OK so it's not the speaker cord or the cab that was cutting out previously. Plug in the carvin and both channels are working fine.

The only difference is, it's out of its rack case now. Maybe it was getting too hot in the case? (it's got a rear fan)

I'm going to play through it this weekend longer and louder (while out of its case) and see if it really is OK.

Not sure if maybe he fibbed and really did go back in and fix something he missed the first time or if the problem will return.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

I'm kind of hesitant to trust the authorized guys on the Boogie page myself. The closest to me on their site seems to be more of a tv/electronics repair man judging by what I could find on the net. Hard to know who to trust.

If anybody knows of a good South Florida amp tech please let me know.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

I used to use an old TV repair guy in Atlanta - he lived and breathed tube amps. Some of those old timers are the best - they do it for fun and on the cheap.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

You're right, I shouldn't write him off that easy. Probably a good reason he's listed as a service guy on their site. Maybe i'll give him a call.
 
Re: Carvin's back in the shop

DMR said:
You're right, I shouldn't write him off that easy. Probably a good reason he's listed as a service guy on their site. Maybe i'll give him a call.
Click to expand...

You may get a feel by talking to him if he's got a screw loose - that plus yelp reviews might help piece together the puzzle.
 
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