Tube Amp (Rivera guitar amp) repair gone wrong

[Prairie Dawg]

I concur. That is a low form of extortion.

I do not charge for things I haven't done-that take a lot of chutzpah.

[ems71]

Originally Posted by famousmockingbird

Great advice!

What exactly did it smell like? In my experience a runaway power tube smells different than a transformer frying. If the tubes were original the tech probably just assumed that it was a bad power tube for it being it's age and put new tubes in and then the real problem reared it's ugly head. My advice is that if the tech can't tell you what the problem is you should look for a new tech. I don't bring any of my amps to techs anymore because of issues like this, I was lucky enough to have worked in the field of electrical generation and know a thing or two about electricity so it was a matter of reading some material and having the very nice DIYAUDIO community to lend a helping hand.

Smelled like rotten eggs or something weird burning. I did notice when I was dropping off the amp rattling coming from the tube. I am sure he was correct and I may have red plated (think that's what its called) one of the power tubes.

More pissed because the tech (small owner run shop) wanted to wipe his hands of it. The dude does not get business and won't get any of my or my friends referral business. Crazy because it is a tube amp repair place. That's all they do.

Thanks

[shanx]

Whether or not the amp was failing before or whether the shop caused it, it is not acceptable that they will not at very least give you a diagnostic and an estimate to repair it. That is what you paid for, and would have been up to you whether you would have wanted it repaired or not, based on the estimate. If the original tube was physically damaged, it could have in turn damaged or blown out the output transformer, or other components. But, they should be able to explain that to you, and worked out a fair repair price. YOu are absolutely right to be miffed, and should seek another shop. Best way to do that is talk to other musicians in your area, or maybe someone here knows some shop techs in your area with good references. Actually lots of the guys here on DIY are very good shop techs!

[cyclecamper]

Most of the Rivera amps are pretty nice; at least it's worth repairing.

[Jack1962]

All Rivera Amps are worth repairing , and for some clearification anytime you work on any amp you need the schematic. I am sorry that some people that try to run shops are crooks , this guy is , you payed him to diagnose the amp , he ran from it this means he is NO TECH . the smell you discribed sounds to me like a cap possibly a diode . Every Amp Rivera made before starting Rivera Amps the schematic is available and fairly easy to get(for free)

[pinkjimiphoton]

sounds to me like this "tech" needs to repair your amp, as he appears to have blown it up on ya.

[pinkjimiphoton]

i concur, the smell you describe sounds like a power supply filter cap. the guy probably doesn't wanna deal with it cuz 90% of the time on those amps, when they smoke, they take the entire PCB with them in the area of the power supply. it's a big job to repair, you for all intents need to make a new pcb. i'm assuming this is like the red knob fender twins and showmans designed by rivera...i've seen a few where all that was salvageable was the chassis and knobs. irregardless, it was his failure to properly diagnose the amp that led to it's failure,. and any GOOD tech would make that right irregardless of cost...or at least waive their fees and offer to buy the hulk from you. they are really nice sounding amps, but a bear to work on once they fry.