316-942-7341
Tube Amplifier Service and Maintenance
* Full cleaning : chassis, controls, switches, jacks, and sockets.
* Retension or replace bad tube sockets.
* Test capacitors, transformers, and performance.
* Tighten and repair any hardware issues.
* Replacing tubes with our selected, fully tested, matched premium tube sets.
* Calibrate bias and balance.
* Full burn-in testing, power, noise, and tone test.
* Ask about our package pricing for retube and service.
Vintage Tube amplifier Repairs and Restorations
All of the above services PLUS :
* Replacing aged filter capacitors and other components as needed. New filter capacitors improve tone and low end response, and reduce noise and hum. We use quality Sprague capacitors to restore or improve on the original response and reliability.
* Replacing or repairing speakers. We can replace speakers with many different types for better or different tones and better power handling. We can repair torn or damaged speakers. We offer a recone service for vintage, hard to find speakers, or new vintage type speakers for a greatly improved tone. Call for speaker recommendations, types, and prices.
* Full cleaning of electronics and cabinets including Tolex / vinyl restorations and grill cloth cleaning or replacement as needed. We carry new and old replacement hardware to match the cosmetic appearance.
*Removing old modifications and repairs, restoring an amp back to its original condition, tone, and operation.
* Installing a 3 wire, grounded AC power cable with safety updates for lower noise, and safety. This is a critical upgrade that must be done to all amps with a 2 wire power cable.
* Replacing or repairing hardware, handles, knobs, etc.
* Cabinet repair and finish / covering repair. We use only original factory and vintage repro parts.
We offer FREE estimates !
Amp Modifications / Upgrades
Some of our most popular mods :
* Line outputs, 1/4” or XLR.
* Effects loops.
* Master volume control installation.
* Gain boost / overdrive.
* 100 watt to 50 watt selector switch.
* Tube type change for different tone / power output.
* Fender Silverface to Blackface circuit conversion for great vintage tone.
* Reverb upgrades for richer, fuller reverb tones.
* Upgrading vintage tremolo circuits to remove the “ticking”.
We have many, many more mods available, let us know what you are looking for.....
DON’T WAIT FOR THIS !
Tubes are the heart and soul of your amp and your tone. They affect your amps clarity, power, volume, overdrive gain, punch, and balance.....everything that has to do with the sound.
The preamp tubes provide gain, drive, balance, and eq, and overall noise levels. Rectifier tubes provide the amp with power to run on, affecting volume and compression. Reverb tubes provide the tone, richness, and noise level for the reverb. Power tubes drive the speakers, setting the amp’s overall volume, clarity, tone and compression. These tubes have a certain lifespan, and must be maintained, much like changing the oil and doing routine maintenance on a car. It is part of owning a tube amp.
Some of the signs that your amp may need to have the tubes replaced are weak or fading volume, poor tone with a loss of highs, noise, excessive hum, or ringing tones, and overall lack of punch and clarity. This can be a gradual process, like your strings going dead, and often you don’t realize what a huge improvement in tone that new tubes can make until we replace them and set up your amp properly.
Some amps need the tubes replaced once a year to keep that great tone and reliability. Others can last 2 or 3 years on a fresh set of tubes. Some lower power, Class A amps will actually burn thru tubes faster than high power amps, and may need new power tubes every few months. (That’s the way Class A circuits operate, running the tubes very hot, all the time). Some amps can see a huge improvement in tone and reliability by having the poor quality tubes that come from the factory replaced and upgraded. (There is a reason why some tube amps are cheaper than others)
I have been servicing tube amplifiers for almost 35 years now. I have worked on amps from companies that have come and gone, as well as used tubes from every tube company that has ever existed. I have consulted with tube manufacturers and amplifier companies. There are many brands and types of tubes available and the information about them can be confusing. Thesis Audio Service goes thru hundreds of tubes every month, and we know which brand and type works best in each amp. There are some tube types (mostly online) that I simply do not use, as I see amps with problems and damage caused by them. So, knowing which type to use is very important to insure the best tone and reliability from your amp. Each brand has their best type of tube, and not all brands or tube types work well in all amps. We know the combinations that sound best, and last longest in your particular amp. We can recommend several options of tube brands and types to choose from to get the best performance and tone from your amp.
We have the experience and equipment to properly calibrate your amplifier for the new set of tubes. Proper calibration of the bias and other settings are critical to get the best tone and longest life out of your new tube sets. We do these adjustments during the burn-in, power, and tone tests.
We offer a variety of tube amp services, advice, and setups, and we can usually have your amp back to you within 1-3 days. Let us bring out the best in your amps
