Members from the EU especially, how much for a recap?

[Orang Goreng]

Hey,
So this band I've been in for the past six months or so gets busier and busier. I think it's time for me to drag my Vibrosonic out of the moth balls. Problem is that I think it still has the original filter caps (from '76 or '79 or whenever that amp was built). The last time I changed the valves was about 15 years ago, but I've hardly used the amp since so they're probably still good. The amp DOES run really, really hot though. Anyway, I think I don't dare to take this amp on the road without having it serviced first.

My question: how much does a re-cap set one back, on average?  A while ago in some casual conversation with an amp tech on a birthday party, I got a quote for 300 Euros, and I thought that was a bit steep (it's only slightly less than what I originally paid for the amp). However, this was a while ago and I don't remember if it's just a cap job or that more services were included. I may have asked what it would cost to return the amp to its original condition, in retrospect.

Any input, also from people outside the EU, appreciated.

[Felix]

I had my brownface concert, though it was four years ago, recapped with top notch parts for just over $150 USD. I'm not sure how that translates into the current Euro, but if the parts are hard to find, the price quote you received may be pretty standard for the market.

You could get a list of the caps and resistors you need, total the cost to have them shipped to you, and that might give you an idea of how your expense is being calculated. In other words, you may be paying a lot for labor costs, or the reverse.

[Orang Goreng]

Thanks for your response, Felix! I guess four years ago the $ and € were worth about the same (currently $150 is about € 111). € 150, now that seems reasonable. But it wouldn't surprise me if things indeed are more expensive here, as usual. Hmm.

Good suggestion about those parts. At least I can get a parts price quote from the net somewhere. I guess the parts won't be hard to find...the amp is identical to a silverface twin

[Surfoverb]

I just had my Showman serviced and un-modded to og specs for 70$. I didnt need filter caps but if I did I was quoted at 50$ + labor(another 50$ flat rate). The expensive part is the caps, shipping shouldnt be anything because they only weigh a few grams. Finding a cheap amp tech is the tricky part.

I cant see why it should be more than 100-150$ total in Europe or anywhere else in the World really.The good news is they will last 10 years.

[mjet]

I had three amps given a complete overhaul a while back but I got an overall charge (ie not broken down per item) and there were some new tubes included. I think I paid around $380 for three amps. I always try to buy the parts myself before having the work done, when practical. My preferred tech is a techie and not a web junkie, so he probably doesn't get very good prices on the materials, and as a consequence, parts ends up being a bigger chunk of change than if I sourced them myself.

[fenderizer]

Hi,

just take a look at the tube town site (click), and you'll find that the most expensive capacitor I found there will cost about EUR 13,-
Depending on the number of capacitors, I gues a recap may cost you less than EUR 100,- if you solder them yourself.

Make sure you read the safety instructions before opening the amp casing!!! Inside the are parts which carry dangerous voltages even if the mains supply has been disconnected!

Greetings - the Fenderizer

P.S: You'll probably want to do a tube bias setup (right-click and "save as" the English instructions (PDF), right-click and "save as" here for the German version which will cost you additionally if done in a store. More caution and experience is adviced here, because setting bias only can be done when the amp is actually running!

[rather ripped]

+1 on doing it yourself. That is, if you know a bit on handling a soldering iron, and you have the patience to be careful and read up on the stuff you'll need to know before you go at it! Tinkering inside tube amps CAN be really really dangerous, but if you take your precautions and make sure you discharge the filter capacitors, you'll be fine. I recapped my Ampeg V2 myself a year ago, and before that, a Sound City 50w head I used to have. Both turned out just fine. I ordered parts online.

[Felix]

Tinkering inside tube amps CAN be really really dangerous, but if you take your precautions and make sure you discharge the filter capacitors, you'll be fine. I recapped my Ampeg V2 myself a year ago, and before that, a Sound City 50w head I used to have. Both turned out just fine. I ordered parts online.

This is the predominant fear that keeps me going back to my tech each year.

[Felix]

Thanks for your response, Felix! I guess four years ago the $ and € were worth about the same (currently $150 is about € 111). € 150, now that seems reasonable. But it wouldn't surprise me if things indeed are more expensive here, as usual. Hmm.

Good suggestion about those parts. At least I can get a parts price quote from the net somewhere. I guess the parts won't be hard to find...the amp is identical to a silverface twin

No problem. Glad to help.
Yeah, so it sounds that $150 USD is the average price for a quality recap. I would keep shopping until your price better mirrors the real expense.

[Orang Goreng]

Thanks for the replies, guys! What I'll do is simply call around for a few price quotes and see how much they deviate from € 150.

[fuzzking]

I had my Marshall Plexi recapped and it was around 150 EUS some years ago.

[Kent]

Yeah, 300€ is very high.

Although, the quote may have included new power tubes? Is that possible?

You may want to power it up with a current limiter or a variac in order to let it reform the caps. Chances are the amp is fine and ready to go.

However, taking it to a competent tech is always a good idea.

[fourmations]

hi all

whats the diddley with discharging caps?

i have read that you can turn the amp on standby
and pull the power lead and it will drain the charges

I have also read that you can just pull the power lead
while the amp is on and when the sound fades away
the caps have been discharged

is there any meter or anything that can be used
to test it is safe and how would you approach this?

i have bought a 25yr old 60w all tube amp
and a couple of the knobs are getting dodgy,

i would have to take time off and lump this heavy thing
into the nearest (congested) city for any minor repairs,
that i'm sure will occur,

I want to put this fear behind me and get in there

rgds

4

[Orang Goreng]

Although, the quote may have included new power tubes? Is that possible?

Yeah, it's possible. As said, this was a while ago.

You may want to power it up with a current limiter or a variac in order to let it reform the caps. Chances are the amp is fine and ready to go.

However, taking it to a competent tech is always a good idea.

Yeah, I think that's my way to go. I'm pretty yhandy with a soldering iron, but I've never worked on anything that isn't passive. I could probably change that caps myself if someone pointed a gun at my head, but otherwise I'm just too chicken shit ;-).

[fenderizer]

is there any meter or anything that can be used to test it is safe and how would you approach this?

Look no further than here (click) for detailed information

Greetings - the Fenderizer