In the last couple of years I have had great success developing some training courses specifically targetted at organisations with a large collection of amps e.g. studios, schools and colleges that just want to reduce their own maintenance costs by taking care of their own simpler repair jobs.
This has been pretty successful so far with some techs able to take on a lot more than expected. So on the back of that I am now offering these courses to a wider audience.
The sessions are very much personalised to your own skill level and as this is something of a new proposition I am still experimenting with formats and very much open to suggestions on what works best for you.
Amp troubleshooting and repair for technicians
Course aiming to arm you with the skills to solve the most common guitar amp problems both valve and solid state types of amplifier. Ideal for amp enthusiasts, studio technicians and those who get a kick out of fixing things.
- Simplified theory of amplifier operation based on signal chains – avoids complex maths and electronic theory
- Safety best practices
- Evaluating an amp
- Fault finding
- Tools and techniques
- Soldering and desoldering
- Fault diagnosis of the most common faults
- Replacing parts
At the end of the course you will be able to diagnose and repair the most common amplifier faults safely. This could save you money in the future and/or improve your career options.
Pre-Reqs: If you can do DIY, use hand tools, think logically and are keen as mustard to learn some fun new stuff that will enrich your life then you will be a great student. If you can solder and repair cables then you are half way there.
Valve Amp circuit fault diagnosis
Course looking to cover fault diagnosis at component level. Ideally six sessions of two hours but there is an element of flexibility on this according to ability.
- Components and failure modes
- voltage and current measurements
- electronics theory: ohms law, volt drops, potential dividers, power calculation
- component testing
- Tools and techniques
- power supply checks
- pre amp checks
- power amp and valve bias
Amp Repair Rescue
Consultancy session helping you resolve a problematic repair over online conferencing and chat. I can help you get back on track. Great for new technicians or those wishing to widen their skills
- Signal tracing
- safety concerns
Pre reqs: Able to diagnose confidently, able to measure voltages safely, able to operate an amplifier safely with covers exposed and safely with mains and HT voltage.
Price Guide
| Amp Coaching Session Type | Format | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bias your own amp | 2 hour session in person | Learn more about how your amp works, why bias matters and how to adjust your amp’s bias yourself. Check for amp suitability. | £95 |
| Fix your own pots and jack sockets | 3 hour session in person | Learn how to diagnose and repair safely around 55% of amp faults which arise from faulty front and rear panel components like pots, jacks and switches. Pre Requisite skills soldering, use of hand tools, logical mind and patience. | £175 |
| Amp troubleshooting and repair for technicians | 2 x 2.5 hour sessions in person | Amp fault analysis, diagnosis and repair on the most common issues e.g. connections, power supplies, valve diagnosis, pot replacement, jack replacement, valve replacement, biasing, maintenance, cleaning. | £250 |
| Valve Amp circuit fault diagnosis | 4 x 2.5 hour sessions in person | Concentrating on valve amps understanding the amp stages, making sense of schematics, component failure modes (resistors, diodes, capacitors, valves, transistors, transformers). Tests and measurements. | £565 |
| Amp Repair Rescue | 1 hour session in person, or online | Consultancy session helping you resolve a problematic repair over online conferencing and chat. I can help you get back on track. Great for technicians building up their skills. | £95 |
| Amp Final Stage Safe Power On | 1 hour session in person, timing flexible | Final stages power up and any debugging | £85 |
If you are interested in booking up a course or just want to know a little bit more about them, please drop me a message below.
Hi there,
These courses look great. I’m interested in the Amp troubleshooting and repair for technicians course particularly – it would be great to have a chat when you are back.
James
THanks for the enquiry, let’s connect next week. 🙂
Hi there.
I’m very interested in the valve amp circuit fault diagnosis course. I have experience building pedals and amp kits, have reasonable soldering skills and understand the basic mechanics of a valve amplifier. I’d really like to start learning how to diagnose and repair faults properly, both for my own kit and as a hobby/service to others. I’m particularly interested in making sure I get the safety side right, building my confidence in basic processes (e.g. biasing) and improving my knowledge of the theory.
I realise you’re closed for the moment, but are you planning to offer this course in the New Year? I live nearby so could be flexible on the timing.
Thanks,
Pete.
Hi Peter, thanks for your message. I have been developing these courses over the last few years and they are very much tailoured to the individual. Thanks for your useful background info it sounds like you have a lot of the basics already covered.
Hi Mike
I’m interested in doing some pretty basic amp fixing for my amp. I had it serviced about 5 years ago by you but I suspect the valves have gone again. To be honest I don’t know and am too scared to open it up myself without some solid grounding (no pun intended) in what I should be doing. Hopefully it’s as simple as swapping a tube out but I don’t even know where to start. If I can do this myself in the future that would be ideal. So something along the lines of a simple day to day maintenance and common parts replacement course is what I’m looking for. Replace tubes, biasing. Really just to that level I think. Is that something you might consider?
Cheers
Mez
Hey Mez, yes that is a course that I already offer. It will save you money in the long run and it gives you a better understanding of how your amp works. Changing a valve is not much harder than changing a light bulb but you need to replace power valves in matched set (or understand the consequences of not doingso). The bias adjustment usually involves removing the amp chassis and taking measurements and adjusting a small screw-adjustmemnt potentiometer called a trimmer. It is very dangerous activity no question so you need to learn and follow some safety practices and then also be able to follow instructions to the letter. You will need to purchase some tools to perform this including a multimeter and a valve connector called a bias probe. See the course table on the Education Page for prices. The Make/Model of amp you have also makes quite a difference to the approach so do let me know that.
Thanks! Would that be the “Amp troubleshooting and repair for technicians” ? And how can we book something in? I think the contact form is closed at the moment. The amp head is a Marshall JCM 900 Mk iii. But you might have more details in your own notes from a previous job: 20029.