How much should it cost for a retube? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

Timmott · 06-22-2007, 02:49 PM

So how much should it cost? My tech told me the guy that does the amp repairs wants $200 to retube and rebias my amp, does that sound right?We both thought it sounded a little high. How much do you guys usually get charged for retubing your amps?

Weathered · 06-22-2007, 02:51 PM

Which amp, and are you supplying tubes? If they are doing a complete retube (supplying their own tubes), $200 is still high, but not stupidly so. If you are supplying tubes, tell that guy to go f- himself, and take it to a good tech that'll charge you what's appropriate.

Boltino · 06-22-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmott

So how much should it cost? My tech told me the guy that does the amp repairs wants $200 to retube and rebias my amp, does that sound right?We both thought it sounded a little high. How much do you guys usually get charged for retubing your amps?

It depends pretty heavily on how many tubes your amp has.

Wes

Timmott · 06-22-2007, 03:01 PM

The amp in question is my Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and I dont have the tubes. But even so it only has 2 6L6's and 5 12AX7's, so the tubes shouldnt be that expensive. I'd like to see how much the guy charges to replace the tubes in a Duotone or Triamp

.

Weathered · 06-22-2007, 03:03 PM

Depending on the brand of tubes, you've got $100 or so in tubes, so $100 in labor - that's a bit high. I'd say $150 would be reasonable.

JBecker · 06-22-2007, 03:04 PM

Do you know how to do it yourself? It's not that hard....

www.dougstubes.com

JoshuaTSP · 06-22-2007, 03:06 PM

With Mesa can you just replace the power tubes with a matched pair?

preamps....no biggie.

Weathered · 06-22-2007, 03:08 PM

Fuck - I totally spaced on that. A Mesa won't need a rebias - just order the tubes and pop them in yourself. If you want in converted to adjustable bias, $200 would be about right including tubes and a bias adjustment.

I need coffee....

misle · 06-22-2007, 03:10 PM

Mesa Boogie amps cannot be re-biased! (at least not without modification) They are fixed biased. Contact Doug at Doug's Tubes, tell him that you have a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and he will provide you with great tubes that you will be able to swap with no problems.

He will give you tubes with in the tolerance that Mesa designs for, so re-biasing is not needed.

Expect to pay ~$100 for the tubes shipped.

Jopop · 06-22-2007, 03:18 PM

$100+ for unscrewing the backplate, yanking tubes out, putting tubes in and screwing the backplate back on? You are being scammed, my friend.

But, he _might_ use official Mesa tubes, which are expensive ($15 per pre, $40 per power tube), so it might not be that bad.

If you order from Doug the tubes will probably cost around $100.

JerryP · 06-22-2007, 03:39 PM

You took it to a shop, shops have overhead so you're not going to get the tubes for the price you could order them on the internet for. You'll expect a warranty on any work he does, that's not free. If he were selling you Groove Tubes 12AX7's at list you could be looking at $100 for 5 12AX7's. Add $40 or so for the 6L6's. Then add a minimum shop rate of an hour and you have $200. I'd say that's about right for a repair shop. I'd assume they'll do more than just pop in the tubes and the amp will get a complete check over, testing, and cleaning.
Jerry

"sasquatch" · 06-22-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misle

Mesa Boogie amps cannot be re-biased! (at least not without modification) They are fixed biased. Contact Doug at Doug's Tubes, tell him that you have a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and he will provide you with great tubes that you will be able to swap with no problems.

He will give you tubes with in the tolerance that Mesa designs for, so re-biasing is not needed.

Expect to pay ~$100 for the tubes shipped.

+1

mesas are "fixed" bias. just pop in the new tubes. its like changing lightbulbs.

Timmott · 06-22-2007, 04:58 PM

Oh so I just unscrew the back plate, pop the old tubes out and put new ones in? Sweet, I didnt think it was that easy. Hopefully I dont fuck it up when I do it xD. My tech at the shop said that the guy cleans everything up and whatnot, but I dont really have the extra money to pay for that kind of stuff. Thanks for helping me out guys.

Jopop · 06-22-2007, 05:39 PM

Buy a can of contact cleaner, it's like $5. It's useful for EVERYTHING. Cleaning jacks, sockets, potentiometers, eyeglasses and so on.. i use mine for everything

tommythelurker · 06-22-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmott

Oh so I just unscrew the back plate, pop the old tubes out and put new ones in?.

Only if you get the right tubes. Read this post again CAREFULLY

Quote:

Originally Posted by misle

Mesa Boogie amps cannot be re-biased! (at least not without modification) They are fixed biased. Contact Doug at Doug's Tubes, tell him that you have a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and he will provide you with great tubes that you will be able to swap with no problems.

He will give you tubes with in the tolerance that Mesa designs for, so re-biasing is not needed.

Even then it's still a good idea to check the bias to make sure they're running correctly. God I'm so sick if this bullshit.

Timmott · 06-22-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommythelurker

Only if you get the right tubes. Read this post again CAREFULLY

Even then it's still a good idea to check the bias to make sure they're running correctly. God I'm so sick if this bullshit.

Well if I get the right tubes I should be okay then right? I'll contact the guy at dougstubes.com and I'm sure he can tell me what tubes I should put in it. What happens if it the amp isnt biased correctly anyway?

tietjen · 06-22-2007, 07:07 PM

If it were not rebiased properly it would just run the tubes down quicker and change the tone some. But Mesa's cannot be rebiased without moding.

tietjen · 06-22-2007, 07:12 PM

I have a 50 Marshal JMP. 2 Wnged EL34's 3 12AX7's. $250 price tag from my amp tech. I got the amp back and thought it was to trebbly. So I brought it back, he changed a cap, no charge, I took it home. I decided it was still to trebbly and I brought it in again... I said I need it darker, mod it... he changed some caps and resistors and tada... no extra charges, retubed, modded, biased, cleaned, and looked at by the best amp tech in Minnesota (Savage Audio, or Savage Amplifiers)... $250. Money well spent to make wure my investment was going to be able to rock as hard as I wanted it to .

Timmott · 06-22-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tietjen

If it were not rebiased properly it would just run the tubes down quicker and change the tone some. But Mesa's cannot be rebiased without moding.

Then then I should be fine just swapping the tubes without touching anything else then? Just making sure cause I dont wanna fuck up my amp

.

tietjen · 06-22-2007, 07:17 PM

I had a DC3. I put JJ's in it and the dealer I bought them from said that they are the same as the Mesa tubes. And you won't f-up your amp... this is the way theya are designed. Its in your manual. If you don't have the manual you can download it from Mesa's sight.

06-22-2007, 02:49 PM	#1
Timmott Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, Ny Posts: 2,945	How much should it cost for a retube? So how much should it cost? My tech told me the guy that does the amp repairs wants $200 to retube and rebias my amp, does that sound right?We both thought it sounded a little high. How much do you guys usually get charged for retubing your amps?

06-22-2007, 03:04 PM	#6
JBecker Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Providence, Rhode Island/Long Island, New York Posts: 18,817	Do you know how to do it yourself? It's not that hard.... www.dougstubes.com __________________ post hoc ergo propter hoc cum hoc ergo propter hoc

06-22-2007, 03:10 PM	#9
misle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,630	Mesa Boogie amps cannot be re-biased! (at least not without modification) They are fixed biased. Contact Doug at Doug's Tubes, tell him that you have a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and he will provide you with great tubes that you will be able to swap with no problems. He will give you tubes with in the tolerance that Mesa designs for, so re-biasing is not needed. Expect to pay ~$100 for the tubes shipped. __________________ Gear: Guild, Tele, LP's, & SG's Orange, Mesa, Peavey, Ampeg, Fender, Marshall JMP Mk2 SG Army orange conglomerate VTM VANDALS Mesa/Boogie Mob

06-22-2007, 03:18 PM	#10
Jopop Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 2,900	$100+ for unscrewing the backplate, yanking tubes out, putting tubes in and screwing the backplate back on? You are being scammed, my friend. But, he _might_ use official Mesa tubes, which are expensive ($15 per pre, $40 per power tube), so it might not be that bad. If you order from Doug the tubes will probably cost around $100. __________________ Good transactions: DoubleBarrel, Chrisjd (500$++), RCC

06-22-2007, 03:39 PM	#11
JerryP Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 12,638	You took it to a shop, shops have overhead so you're not going to get the tubes for the price you could order them on the internet for. You'll expect a warranty on any work he does, that's not free. If he were selling you Groove Tubes 12AX7's at list you could be looking at $100 for 5 12AX7's. Add $40 or so for the 6L6's. Then add a minimum shop rate of an hour and you have $200. I'd say that's about right for a repair shop. I'd assume they'll do more than just pop in the tubes and the amp will get a complete check over, testing, and cleaning. Jerry __________________ FJA Mods Forum and Tech Help FJA Mods Forum FJA Mods Website FJA Mods FJA YouTube Mod Videos

06-22-2007, 03:01 PM	#4
Timmott Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, Ny Posts: 2,945	The amp in question is my Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber and I dont have the tubes. But even so it only has 2 6L6's and 5 12AX7's, so the tubes shouldnt be that expensive. I'd like to see how much the guy charges to replace the tubes in a Duotone or Triamp .

06-22-2007, 03:06 PM	#7
JoshuaTSP Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Land where amps grow on trees.... Posts: 52,102	With Mesa can you just replace the power tubes with a matched pair? preamps....no biggie.

06-22-2007, 04:58 PM	#13
Timmott Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, Ny Posts: 2,945	Oh so I just unscrew the back plate, pop the old tubes out and put new ones in? Sweet, I didnt think it was that easy. Hopefully I dont fuck it up when I do it xD. My tech at the shop said that the guy cleans everything up and whatnot, but I dont really have the extra money to pay for that kind of stuff. Thanks for helping me out guys.

06-22-2007, 05:39 PM	#14
Jopop Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 2,900	Buy a can of contact cleaner, it's like $5. It's useful for EVERYTHING. Cleaning jacks, sockets, potentiometers, eyeglasses and so on.. i use mine for everything __________________ Good transactions: DoubleBarrel, Chrisjd (500$++), RCC

06-22-2007, 07:07 PM	#17
tietjen Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 764	If it were not rebiased properly it would just run the tubes down quicker and change the tone some. But Mesa's cannot be rebiased without moding. __________________ Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Classic, Paul Reed Smith CE22, American Fender Telecaster, Taylor 710ce FX: EB Jr. Volume, BYOC pedals, T-Rex Replica. Amps: Marshall JMP 2204, 1960ax greenbacks! Dr. Z Maz Jr. 18-watt 1x12

06-22-2007, 07:12 PM	#18
tietjen Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 764	I have a 50 Marshal JMP. 2 Wnged EL34's 3 12AX7's. $250 price tag from my amp tech. I got the amp back and thought it was to trebbly. So I brought it back, he changed a cap, no charge, I took it home. I decided it was still to trebbly and I brought it in again... I said I need it darker, mod it... he changed some caps and resistors and tada... no extra charges, retubed, modded, biased, cleaned, and looked at by the best amp tech in Minnesota (Savage Audio, or Savage Amplifiers)... $250. Money well spent to make wure my investment was going to be able to rock as hard as I wanted it to . __________________ Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Classic, Paul Reed Smith CE22, American Fender Telecaster, Taylor 710ce FX: EB Jr. Volume, BYOC pedals, T-Rex Replica. Amps: Marshall JMP 2204, 1960ax greenbacks! Dr. Z Maz Jr. 18-watt 1x12

06-22-2007, 07:17 PM	#20
tietjen Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 764	I had a DC3. I put JJ's in it and the dealer I bought them from said that they are the same as the Mesa tubes. And you won't f-up your amp... this is the way theya are designed. Its in your manual. If you don't have the manual you can download it from Mesa's sight. __________________ Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Classic, Paul Reed Smith CE22, American Fender Telecaster, Taylor 710ce FX: EB Jr. Volume, BYOC pedals, T-Rex Replica. Amps: Marshall JMP 2204, 1960ax greenbacks! Dr. Z Maz Jr. 18-watt 1x12

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