Gear service shops / tech list

[Serge Modular]

Originally Posted by Emwolb

DO NOT USE THESE GUYS- shady... BAD techs... Terrible service.

They lied about a repair on one synth- literally did a ghetto fix with glue... (not part replacement) and BROKE the other synth. The nitwit Ruth tried to say the synth was already broken....

And he says MOOG??? The ruined my synthplayers minimoog... I wish I had talked to him prior to using them.

I know 3 other people who have taken their gear there and either been lied to, 6+ month delays or had things broken!

SERIOUSLY- Beware. The toothless tech (if you go, you'll know- its the best description, not badmouthing) can ONLY fix digidesign Control 24 power supplys... If thats what you need, they can do that.

But man, Ive been doing this professionally for over 20 years and never had such terrible service...

This is LITERALLY just so you are aware! Don't use them... And again, Ruth (the office manager) is a complete fraud.

I love vintage synths far too much to let anyone make the same mistakes!!! Sorry to rant but man they cost me over 1500 dollars...

Good to see another poster also confirms they are terrible!

I second this. I've made this mistake over, and over again. This is the worst place to have anything fixed. If you can even call it that. It's more like a butcher shop that will F you whenever they feel like it.

Example: TLA C-1. One mic channel has problems. Instead of fixing it, they strap wire and a capacitor over part of the PCB. Yes it passes signal, very poorly and doesn't go through the comp. WTF GUYS!! If I had a bat...

2. Yamaha CS-30. The lfo stops working. I tell them it's the IC and even give them the IC replacement. Almost $1000 later and 10 hours on the bench they tell me it's the IC. I told you it's the IC and gave you a replacement!!!!

WHERE THE F IS THE GRENADE. I complained numerous times, but they would not let me pick up the synth till I payed. They will not negotiate. I should have gone to small claims, but It's wasn't worth it. Oh and I seem to remember they charge $300 for anything they "deem" vintage. I'm paying you $300 to leave my synth here. F*@&*@*&#*@*~!!!

I can keep going on. DO NOT EVER GO HERE!! PLEASE!! DO NOT!!!

And for Advanced: YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. PERIOD. tutt You Stink. Where's that kitchen knife....

Kevin Lightner has fixed most of my synths.

[Serge Modular]

Originally Posted by Emwolb

Kevins website says hes fallen ill and not taking repair work...

Anyone confirm that hes still not?

Hes the FREAKIN MAN!!!!!!!!

+1 for Kevin!!!!!!

Hey!
So Kevin was fixing and modifying some of my analog's when he fell Ill. I picked up the last couple ones, and he stated that we wasn't going to be repairing synths for sometime. He confirmed this in an email about a year ago. I think that he's a genius and the best & honest synth guy ever. ( Side note: The man is an amazing player too... )

My thoughts and prayers are with him. And I hope he is able to return one day to his work.

Seriously +1000 for Kevin Lightner. You are amazing.

[Sha-Zam]

Originally Posted by yonny

Any word on the guy in Ambler, or anyone else in the Philly area? I have an Arp Quadra in need of servicing.

In the Philly area, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Tim from Keyboard Cottage. He's in Springhouse which is about 45 minutes north of Philly on route 309, just a couple miles above Ambler.

I found out about Tim from Jay Slevin of Turtle Studios in center city (posts here as Jslevin). Tim did a housecall to fix & service a Hammond for Jay a few years ago. About a year ago the PSU for my Soundtracs mixer went down and I took it to Tim since he's just a few miles from my house. Tim is an EE who designs analog circuits professionally, and runs Keyboard Cottage as a side business out of his house. He brought me into his shop and we talked for like an hour about all things electronic, showed me some cool stuff he designed to address regular problems he sees in the vintage synths that come to him. He was very professional but also personal to deal with, and his rates were reasonable. I don't want to give out his hourly rate, it may have changed since last year, but it was just slightly less than the average hourly rate I've seen from the vintage studio gear repair techs online.

The only downer was that it took about 2 months to get my power supply back, but you know what they say: good, cheap, fast. Pick 2.

Anyway, just wanted to throw in my experience with Keyboard Cottage, website is Keyboardcottage.com

[Xero]

So thats the guy in ambler I heard about! I had heard there was someone out there but couldn't find any info...may have to see if he's willing to fix a few things for me...

[massimo]

Here in Rome I would say Cesare Bernardini is very good for old analog stuff, notably Oberheim, Sequential, Arp.

That said, I need to have my Emulator III rack checked. Any good tech in Europe?

thank you
best regards
Massimo

[bad andy]

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet....

Three Wave Music in Hawthorne, NJ.

Excellent work, knowledgable tech, incredible shop - like a dream for synthesists. Sam used to own Dr. Sound in NYC years ago before moving to NJ. Sam has extreme knowledge and history of analog boards, coupled with decades of experience. He truly is a gentleman, and my most recent experience there was nothing short of entirely awesome. Fair prices, honest work, and a personable experience.

threewavemusic.com - Keyboard speciality store

[iconaclast]

Originally Posted by percussion boy

This comes up over and over, let's put it all in one place.

IF YOU KNOW A TRUSTWORTHY SYNTH REPAIR PERSON -- Let everyone know:


- Who (the tech and the company)

- What city

- What they fixed for you

- How recently

- Contact info - site, phone, address

Thanks for anything you can pass along! Hopefully this will snowball and become a sticky.

Can't recomend Synthwood, Tagart, Lightner. Portland custom shop is good but slow.
Be aware of outfits selling analogs for super high prices but don't service after or before the sale. Ask to see a point by point detailed description of the level of "service" that they claim was done prior to sale. Some of these outfits don't do as much as replace a power chord and then deem the synth 'serviced'!

[cpu]

I've got a great one in the Florida Panhandle...
Class A Electronics
1013 Commercial Dr.
Tallahassee, FL
32310

850.224.7275


They've fixed a whole bunch of stuff from me from like 2006 til 2010...
They completely refurbished my Moog Liberation, fixed several other synths...they also do some great circuit bending stuff under the name Diabolical Devices.
John and James are great guys!

[3phase]

Originally Posted by überschall

Great thread! Does anyone know a good tech in Germany? Maybe even in Berlin? My 303 needs some care... What about X-Tended? [ X - TENDED - musicians support - Keyboards ]

Nice regards , Hannes.

i do 303 care and alike for selected people in Berlin sometimes. People like villalobos, özer, zip, david moufang... i ve a stricktly no dicks policy ;-)

And extended? they are ok but dont like to do too difficult things because they are too expensive to do repairs that need a little longer.. And they dont do overnights.

[Sha-Zam]

I mentioned Tim from Keyboard Cottage a few months ago, he has since gone full time in tech repair and moved his operation to a commercial facility in North Whales (PA). His new business name is Retrolinear and his website is Retrolinear.com. Tim is a great tech and has fixed a several things for me at very reasonable prices, but he specializes in vintage keys.

[waveterm]

Any good techs in Perth Australia ?

There is a PPG Wave 2.3 that needs some attention there.

WT

[jessem]

Originally Posted by bad andy

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet....

Three Wave Music in Hawthorne, NJ.

Excellent work, knowledgable tech, incredible shop - like a dream for synthesists. Sam used to own Dr. Sound in NYC years ago before moving to NJ. Sam has extreme knowledge and history of analog boards, coupled with decades of experience. He truly is a gentleman, and my most recent experience there was nothing short of entirely awesome. Fair prices, honest work, and a personable experience.

threewavemusic.com - Keyboard speciality store

I've always wanted to visit this place but it's a few hours from Philly so probably not a wise move for tech work.

[jessem]

Originally Posted by Sha-Zam

I mentioned Tim from Keyboard Cottage a few months ago, he has since gone full time in tech repair and moved his operation to a commercial facility in North Whales (PA). His new business name is Retrolinear and his website is Retrolinear.com. Tim is a great tech and has fixed a several things for me at very reasonable prices, but he specializes in vintage keys.

What has he worked on for you?

[iconaclast]

Originally Posted by jessem

What has he worked on for you?

Tagart isn't so good to deal with. Lightner, depending on mood is risky. These guys need to get their act together and treat people better. A few days in the real world would do the trick.

[waveterm]

Originally Posted by iconaclast

Tagart isn't so good to deal with. Lightner, depending on mood is risky. These guys need to get their act together and treat people better. A few days in the real world would do the trick.

Sounds like they don´t want you as a client.


WT

[kevin_g]

Big recommendation here for The Analog Lab in NYC.

Can anyone chime in on Main Drag in Brooklyn? Sometimes I don't feel like crossing the bridge. I know the shop for retail purposes, just not familiar with the tech side.

[thermos]

Originally Posted by kevin_g

Big recommendation here for The Analog Lab in NYC.

Can anyone chime in on Main Drag in Brooklyn? Sometimes I don't feel like crossing the bridge. I know the shop for retail purposes, just not familiar with the tech side.

I had the guy there fix my Sh-101 and he did a good job. Though with bigger jobs they farm it out to some other guys. I haven't heard great things about that side of things.

[waveterm]

Bigger jobs usually aren´t that great from the paying party´s point of view.

Big job = big money.

WT

[fooloof]

Originally Posted by iconaclast

Tagart isn't so good to deal with. Lightner, depending on mood is risky. These guys need to get their act together and treat people better. A few days in the real world would do the trick.

I've dealt with Lightner fairly extensively. He's worked on my mini twice, putting in a Lintronics mod and Opto-Key, among other things. We have exchanged probably 50 emails or more, all told. While he is occasionally moody due to his medical condition, he is nothing, if not professional.

he always lays it out exactly how it's going to be and is very upfront about what he can and cannot do, not to mention that he has a reputation as one of the best around. Also, pricing is very fair.

I've read a lot of good things about Wes Taggart, but no experience with him.

[fooloof]

Originally Posted by Serge Modular

Hey!
So Kevin was fixing and modifying some of my analog's when he fell Ill. I picked up the last couple ones, and he stated that we wasn't going to be repairing synths for sometime. He confirmed this in an email about a year ago. I think that he's a genius and the best & honest synth guy ever. ( Side note: The man is an amazing player too... )

My thoughts and prayers are with him. And I hope he is able to return one day to his work.

Seriously +1000 for Kevin Lightner. You are amazing.

he's working. not sure how much he's taking on, but he did something for me in January 2012.

[home alone]

Yet another +1 for the analog lab in nyc, very skilled, trustworthy, informative and prompt!

DO NOT bring anything the east village music. Pretty much the polar opposite of the analog lab. Google it for yourself and read some horror stories.

[BaconTastesGood]

Any recommendations for places in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia?

[razorblade]

Originally Posted by ignatius

in san Diego

pro sound and music - modded my roland MC-202 w/kenton socket mod. they are authorized repair techs for pretty much every manufacturer and do good synth work.

Welcome to prosound.com: Pro Audio, Recording, Live Sound, Pro Audio Repair Experts

There are at least three of us on this board who use to work for Mike....
Me, Liquid360 and Charles Maynes...

Good folks, and he's been doing it since the seventies...Knows his stuff.

Not to mention his personal stash of vintage is one of the best on the coast.

[natefrogg]

anyone used virtual sounds technology in the pasadena, ca (los angeles county) area?

Virtual Sounds Technology, Akai Parts MPC Accessories, Musical Instruments, Drum Machines, Samplers, Controllers, Service & Repair

they are very close by to me so it would be convenient but if they suck i would rather drive the roland juno 60 to a place where it would get serviced properly

[Rychard]

[QUOTE=Metzger;5172068]I brought 2 SRE-555's for service to Advanced musical and it was a total nightmare. Not allowing vocal contact from costumer to the tech is horrible. My problem was never really addressed and I paid a lot of money for lack luster service.

I have been using Advanced Musical Electronics for 20 years. They have repaired my personal audio and synth gear, as well as equipment from Cal State Long Beach, Cypress College, Long Beach City College, and Cal-Arts. I have never been unhappy with their work or their service.

[alvincflorentino]

Originally Posted by W-W-Int

+1000

this guy is the real deal. he will fix it, and he will do a thorough job and he will not pad his time or the work needed. he only charges you what it takes to fix the synth and the actual cost of the parts.

brought back from beyond the grave a prophet 5 rev 2 and a rev 3, an arp 2600, and a korg poly-six.

forget whiny country, they are only good for parts. they refuse to even look at rev 2's, require you to pay for shipping for just a quote, refuse to accept any hand deliveries etc...

they are just a plain hassle and don't even repair anything other than rev 3 prophet 5's and the drumtraxs and pro ones.

Sent a Korg PolySix board for calibration/repair a few months back. It couldn't stay in tune. He serviced it and replaced some parts and called it fixed but when I got it back, it was still drifting. He did ask me to check a few things upon re-installation but it didn't help. I really don't know why that was so but he was magnanimous enough to send back my money. And he was so efficient in communicating with you; a really nice guy I'm sure.

I've now sent this PolySix board and a Juno-106 voice chip board to Allen Coppock. Still awaiting his verdict...

[the fxs]

any recommended shops in GERMANY, especially BAVARIA ?

[analogrichard]

Eric Hold at Wire Audio

Portland, Oregon

He fixed my Roland Jupiter-6 & Moog Multimoog

Two months ago, late November of 2012

http://www.wireauiodrepair.com 503-708-3055
In North Portland

I moved to Portland from New York last summer and finally had a good experience for repair of two of vintage synthesizers at Wire Audio. The Jupiter had been noisy not one, but two voices way out of tune and my Multimoog had bad trimmers and everything was out of whack.

This guy knows his stuff. I tried another shop here in Portland, but their turn around was unbelievably long, which makes me wonder if I should learn how to repair gear. Either way, I am very happy with his work, although my only complaint was that parking at his place was difficult on a Saturday afternoon. Still well worth it.

[horror flick]

I did a search and found some of the recommended service techs. I tried reaching out to some of them. Quite a few on those lists are no longer active. Ed Miller no longer has his website. Kevin Lightner doesnt except new clients.

I tried advanced electronics for some spare parts. That was scary reading some of the issues here. Although I just wanted parts. They told me I had to drop off my synth. WTF? Why, so they can hold my synth hostage? AVOID that place. They do seem like some dirtbags.

Now im looking to service a Roland MKS 80. Any suggestions in southern California?