Members Chris Groegler Posted July 26, 2005 Members Share Posted July 26, 2005 I'm about to replace some valves (tubes) in my TL Audio C1 and was wondering how often do you guys spend time maintaining your equipment. Do you set up an yearly budget for "studio costs" and does that sometimes conflict with a new piece of gear that you want to get? Just curious as to how you guys deal with that part of owning your own equipment. I know for me I sometimes put stuff off until the very last minute. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 I fix stuff just as soon as possible after it goes belly up or I notice any issues with it. I tend to keep things fairly neat and clean, and I check things out occasionally - at least once a month or so, and anything that's suspect gets pulled and fixed. I keep spare tubes for everything on hand, plenty of Caig and other cleaners, extra cable, plugs, etc.If it's something I can't (or don't have the time to) fix myself, it gets sent back to the manufacturer, even if it's out of warranty, because there's not a tech local to me (short of going into LA or OC) who I trust to work on my stuff more than I trust myself. Which really bums me out.... because unlike Craig, I'm not exactly the world's greatest electronics technician. Some things DO get put off... my Casino needs a new pick up selector switch (at least I hope it's just the switch), but I don't have the time to pull everything apart and fish parts out of it... but there's not a decent guitar tech locally that I'm aware of either, so it's sat for too long now. I really need to get that fixed... Some things I just replace when they die - they're not really worth fixing. And as far as budget, what budget? You mean I'm supposed to MAKE money on this studio thing? Seriously, if something goes down, we fix it or get it fixed right away. I hate when things don't work right, and I hate studios where a third of the stuff isn't working. But stuff seems to hold up fairly well for the most part these days. Good topic Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIP Posted July 27, 2005 Members Share Posted July 27, 2005 As a matter of fact my DAT deck is acting up............anyone know of a good place to send it out to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 I think Eddie Ciletti still works on DAT decks. http://www.tangible-technology.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted July 27, 2005 Members Share Posted July 27, 2005 We've got 2 C-1's they are awesome aren't they? FWIW, we retube everyhing once a year at worst case, sooner if it needs it. Other things get attended to ASAP. sometimes time does not permit some maintenance, such as a patchbay issue or two that can be worked around. My console studio out (which feeds the greenroom) has needed a new pot for awhile now, but it's a minor issue (yet it still works, it's just scratchy, and there's a volume control in the green room, so I just leave it set and it's not a problem) so I'll wait until a more pressing console issue forces me to go in. I've got the pot, so when the time comes I'm ready to do the repair. Speaking of which, most all repairs are done inhouse, a huge costsavings. I've got a degree in electronics, so there's little I cannot fix, however it's sometimes more cost effective to simply swap out a board withe the manufacturer than diagnose what the issue is. I've got a well equipped electronics bench to assist my diagnosis as well, DT scope, signal genrators, etc. Basically it comes down to how quickly does it need to be operational again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chris Groegler Posted July 28, 2005 Author Members Share Posted July 28, 2005 Hey Where!Yes, I do like the C1 a lot. I'm finally getting around (after your discussion over on the MP forum) to changing these tubes. I don't keep spare tubes lying around since the C1 is the only tube device I own. I do have extra cables, connectors, and such but not electronics....I'm a keyboard plyer. I'm not even going to try and fix stuff myself. I'd probably do more harm. I wish I had more knowledge of electronics. That's one thing I didn't study in college and looking back on it I wish I had. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.