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 | Description | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bias your own amp | Learn more about how your amp works, why bias matters and how to adjust your amp’s bias yourself. Two hour sesson for beginners. Check for amp suitability. | £95 | |||
| Fix your own pots and jack sockets | 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. Three hour session. | £175 | 95 | ||
| Amp troubleshooting and repair for technicians | Amp fault analysis, diagnosis and repair on the most common issues e.g. pot replacement, jack replacement, valve replacement, biasing, maintenance, cleaning. | £250 | 175 | ||
| Valve Amp circuit fault diagnosis | Concentrating on valve amps a deeper dive into component failure of passive (resistors, diodes, capacitors) and active (transistor, valve) components. Tests and measurements. Arranged as 3 x 2 hour sessions | £565 | |||
| Amp Repair Rescue – per hour session | 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 | Final stages power up and any debugging can optionally be face to face. | £85 |
Leave a comment if there is some other type of course that you would be interested in. For example pedal building or amp building. I am just testing the water right now.