Can anyone recommend me a solid amp dude in VA/DC?

[NDominy]

Hey all, I know some of you guys live/used to live in beautiful Richmond, VA, so I come to you for advice. I've been putting off a total overhaul of my V4B for, oh, several years now, but the other night it produced a flash of bright light from the tubes, so I think the time has finally come. Is there anyone I could take it to here in Richmond that gets an ILF seal of approval? What about DC? I've had work done around the DC metro area before, but nothing that made me a committed returning customer, so here we are. Send me to your dude!



also- it's worth noting that, in spite of the aforementioned scary flash of light, the thing kept right on trucking. god bless the V4.

[Ancient Astronaught]

Action Music has a good amp tech, they're in Falls Church VA about 45 outside of DC. I don't know anyone down in Richmond but theres so many musicians that theres gotta be one or two decent ones down there.

[ryan summit]

when you find one put it in here
viewtopic.php?f=192&t=35257&p=664175&hilit=tech+reference#p664175
goes for all yall
put yer dudes up in 'eer

[NDominy]

Ooo, I love action music, I'll have to give them a call. Thanks for reminding me they exist

And that thread is a great idea. If a place is ILF'er endorsed, I'm in. I'll keep poking around RVA, but it seems like there's a surprising shortage of quality music stores/ technicians around for whatever reason. Maybe it's... too DIY?

[trace]

Have you asked the guys at Metro Sound downtown? I've never really shopped there but they usually have a bunch of vintage amps and they've been around forever so hopefully they could at least recommend someone in the area.

[spentron]

I can work on amps (professional electronics repairman) and am near RVA but sounds like you got a spot of carbon in a tube and it burned off. I can't see anything anything else that coudl cause that but a huge voltage increase, in which case the amp wouldn't be working anymore. It could still be taken apart and inspected, check main voltages, etc.

[NDominy]

I get kind of weird vibes at metro sound. they have some sweet amps sometimes, but I never seem to be able to find what I need there, so I was hoping to find a better option. Actually, I wound up dropping it off with this guy Joe Kolla out in Henrico: http://www.thetubeampguy.com/

I had a good talk with him, he clearly knows what he's doing and his rates seem pretty fair. I'm really looking forward to getting the amp back and checking out his work, I'll definitely update that listing when I do. I've never had an amp totally recapped and retubed before, I'm pretty psyched about this.

[MEC]

I've got a V4 that is probably (over)due for a recap/retube too.
About how much is it going to set you back with parts and all?