[Updated for 2024]
Welcome to MyTubeAudio. A truly different kind of repair shop. Transparent!
MyTubeAudio, LLC., is a mature West Michigan-based company that offers repair services for tube-based equipment based on an appointment, rather than the typical drop-off, pick-up some months later scenario typical to the industry. At MTA, you can watch the work being done, ask questions and get answers.
MyTubeAudio LLC is licensed, insured, legal and experienced – I have been involved with tube amplifiers for over 30 years. I work by appointment only, two evenings per week. If you’re looking for tube amp service in West Michigan, give a call to the number in the picture above and make your appointment now. Typically, MTA sees 45 to 70 appointments completed per year, and occasionally multiple-amp jobs are completed in one night. This is perhaps the best way to see what’s been done and learn more about your particular amp.
Considering the deep inventory of parts, a solid collection of test and measurement gear and the experience of hundreds and hundreds of documented amp repairs, you shouldn’t be surprised to discover that most tube amps can be repaired in just an hour or two. Retail music shops often charge 50% or higher repair markups to an unknown outside tech, usually resulting in a higher cost, weeks of waiting and not a lot of info on what was done. Why not cut the middleman and head right to the bench with your amp? You’ll see your amp get worked on, you’ll get your questions answered, and you’ll KNOW what’s been done. You’ll know your amp tech, and be able to let him know what’s important to you. I’m a long-time player too, and I love vintage gear. I build it, I gig it. I get your concerns, especially in regards to reliability and tone. I’ve been gigging out for over 40 years. Some of that is covered elsewhere on this site, including original CD releases and some live video.
This is my philosophy – a fully transparent, open exchange of knowledge and service. I too learn from every repair, as well. Many of my returning customers are very knowledgeable and skilled active musicians, which also makes this kind of work really pleasant and rewarding for me.
The business model is ultra-simple and ultra-transparent: $65/hr for bench time plus parts and tax. Warranty is provided – 30 days on parts and 60 days on labor. You can watch the repair and you can control how expensive it gets.
NO BENCH FEES. NO MINIMUM CHARGES. NO TRADE SECRETS. NO BROKEN PROMISE DATES.
I buy parts wholesale and my markup is a standard 35%, making most items pretty close to typical current “street prices”. Yes, you can certainly bring your own parts if you prefer, and I’ll install them happily, but keep in mind I can’t warranty your items back to my suppliers if I did not purchase them…I’ll honor the workmanship only in that case.
EMERGENCY SERVICE
Well, it sometimes happens. You have a show in a few days, and bang! The amp is dead or suddenly feels untrustworthy. For folks in that situation, I’ll usually make an exception to my family-oriented 2-night-per-week limit and can take your amp immediately (no scheduling an appointment for later), at twice the usual hourly rate. At $130 per hour, it’s not for everyone, and it’s not meant to be, as the rate implies. But when you are really up against it, you do have options. Where else is that possible?
Browse around my site, and hopefully you’ll enjoy what you see. Please feel free to contact me via the Email address shown in the photo above.
Thanks for stopping by – Dan, N8ZJV
MyTubeAudio LLC., Holland, Michigan
December 31, 2023
While You Wait Amp Repair At MyTubeAudio LLC. 
“Your walking out with confidence knowing and seeing a highly skilled professional servicing your amp with the care you would do. Going the extra mile doing it better than original.”
Would you be interested in working on a 1978 Acoustic 370? The output drops down to around 1/2 volume after playing it a while.
Hi Mike, I thought I answered this as an Email, but I can’t find proof. Redux: As the website declares, I really don’t work on solid state gear. Why? I’m buried in (pleasant) tube work with a significant waiting list. I have a vast inventory of tube amp parts, and comparatively little on-hand for solid-state parts. Being not as familiar with solid state amps, I would take longer to repair that kind of gear than most people would be willing to pay for. so it’s not really economical, and I only have two evenings per week on the bench, per family decree. Add all of that up and solid-state repairs are just not for me.
That said, from an engineering standpoint, what you describe would likely be a leaky cap somewhere that slowly lets something “transistor-y” drift in bias over time/temp. Considering the age, it’s probably due for a total re-cap. Especially so if it ONLY acts as you describe after running for a while. Unless you have very good service docs that show correct voltages around each transistor (op-amp?) you will better to shotgun all of the caps, than just search out the one that is leaky. Any good HiFi repair shop should be able to take this on. That’s the best advice I can offer.
Dan, MyTubeAudio LLC