More Mail-In Options Than Ever
Being right in the very middle of the US isn’t always great. But what it does mean is that we can offer fast shipping across the country and the best service rates by a mile. So we’re expanding the mail-in options to include action work like replacing bridal straps, hammer tips, key bushings and dampers. Power amplifiers and even entire keyboards. We realize there may not be a local Rhodes/Wurlitzer tech around the corner but we’re here to be the next best thing!
Drop us a line for a Mail-In Service quote with the best rates anywhere.
We will still offer recapping and re-chipping services for the most common preamps (some of which you can purchase directly in our shop) and amplifiers for both the Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer. Rhodes models include both the Janus and Peterson active preamps as well as power amplifiers. Wurlitzer models include both the solid state amplifiers like the 140B, 200 and 200A but also the tube amplifiers like the 120 and 145 models.
We had no idea how popular this would be. And we’re so happy it’s been helpful to so many people around the country. This price is for basic service which includes testing, cleaning, recapping/rechipping. Typical turnaround is 2-3 business days.
This includes priority return shipping.
The Peterson preamp is a transistor based amplifier with an sds optical sensor and 14v light bulbs for an optical tremolo circuit. While the transistors are often stable we do stock all the components of the Peterson for quick turnaround. There is also some part variation and we stock all the variations of capacitors as well - including the tantalum capacitors. This way we can keep your preamp as original as possible while stabilizing and improving the sound.
The Janus preamp is a stable and versatile design. However, all of these units are getting quite old - most particularly the electrolytic capacitors. Re-capping is highly recommend, especially if your preamp is starting to make some of the tell-tales sounds of cap failure. Or you simply want to have a little better definition in the highs and lows. But the real game changer with these preamps is upgrading the op-amps. In this service we do both and the circuit benefits tremendously.
Here’s how the mail in thing works:
You send us your Preamp (please pack it well and add insurance)
We test it to see if there are any issues.
We replace all the “high-wear” components and/or upgrade where beneficial
We test everything on the scope and through an amplifier.
If there are any additional issues we contact you about it and discuss the options.
We mail it back to you with a little bag of your original parts.
You are happy and your preamp sounds great.
We use professional soldering and desoldering stations. High grade Kester solder and we use some of the best parts available. The sonic differences are certainly worthwhile and we’ve tried to make this service cost-effective for people who don’t have the time or tools to do it properly.
Let us know if you have any questions. Please contact us prior to sending your unit. All units can be sent to our workshop location:
Avion Studios
8940 N. Phillipe Rd.
Hallsville, MO 65255
‘NOTE: Do not throw your broken preamps away. We have yet to have one in the workshop we could not fix!
Other Services or Questions - - - Call or email us for a quote!
Serving Mid-Missouri, Kansas City and St. Louis
Shop & On-Site Service and Repair
Instruments / Equipment:
Pianos - action repair, string repair, restringing, key regulation, sound board repair, hammers and felts (we do not fine tune or refinish)
Electric Pianos - Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Yamaha CP
Organs - Hammond B3 & C3, Lowrey, Farfisa
Electronics - preamps, amplifiers, keyboards, audio compressors & power supplies
Service Area and Shop: We are located in the very middle of Missouri - about 15 minutes off I-70. We accept instruments for repair in our shop from anywhere but will travel as far as St. Louis or Kansas City depending on the situation. We're also happy to offer remote phone assistance for free within reason.
Rates: We try to work with every budget so if you can't afford our triple diamond platinum wash and buff - it's cool, we can probably still help. Just give us a ring.
Workshop Repair Rate: $75/hr
Onsite / Traveling Repair Rate: $120/hr
A quick FYI: In our experience the biggest improvement in terms of sound quality comes not from re-capping (unless of course there's an issue with the caps) but re-chipping. Replacing the onboard 4558's used in the Janus preamp with really any decent modern op amp gives a much more clear, present and open sound to the preamp. In our Janus upgrade we install sockets so that op-amps can be interchanged. We typically use a Burr Brown OPA2134 but many many other op amps do quite well. If you're a bit uneasy desoldering op-amps, let us do it for you. We have professional desoldering stations and turn around for already working preamps needing upgrades is very quick.
“If you’re ever thinking of recording your Rhodes with the Janus preamp - put in a better op-amp, it’s well worth the trouble.”