DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE---VINTAGE AUDIO COMPONENTS

OK, so you have a piece of vintage stereo equipment and you suspect that it might be really cool, but you need to know just how good it is, and what it takes to make it work as it should. Your spouse and friends agree that it looks promising, but no one knows for certain. You check around your area and you find that all of the local shops work on much more recent equipment. They are either unwilling to take in your baby, or you get the drift that they have not seen one of these for a long time.....or perhaps never. Hmmmmmmm......Since you are pretty smart and have read some of the other things I have written here, you have figured out the two essential rules of vintage audio, that the work must be done by an experienced specialist, and that the restoration must be thorough and complete. Nothing less will do. Obviously you need to have your unit diagnosed, and you can do that right here.

Bench diagnostics serve you well in two instances. Suppose you have a unit for which I have a COMPLETE RESTORATION listed. The odds are great that yours needs exactly this service. Suppose that you aren't sure, perhaps you fear that your particular unit has extra problems or that you would just like to hear the results of a complete analysis before you commit to the restoration. Fine, buy a diagnostic and you will have the pleasure of hearing the whole story up front. The diagnostic charge applies toward the complete job, so it costs you nothing extra to do it this way. But what if you have a unit whose model number doesn't show up in my listed restorations? No problem, I have been engaged in full-time service of audio equipment since 1971 so I am familiar with all of the mainstream equipment from the golden age (late 50's through early 80's). If you want to know what your options are, a bench diagnostic will do it.

To procure a complete diagnostic on your special unit, proceed as follows: 1. Drop me a line or call 512-294-5635, tell me your brand name and model number, and tell me what your unit is doing wrong. I can immediately give you a sense of what we are likely to encounter. 2. If your situation sounds promising, buy the diagnostic service in preparation for sending in the unit. Once the diagnostic is done, I will contact you with the results, and will secure your approval to complete the work. Since you diagnostic charge has been paid already, and applies against the work, I will create a private eBay listing for you called "service balance". It will include the remainder of the service, return shipping,and additional packing material if needed.

Speaking of packing. You are sending me equipment that you value and wish to use for years to come. It is important that you pack it correctly. I have done this a lot so unless you are an experienced packer, talk to me about packing before the unit is sent. Note that the listing specifies $1.00 for shipping. This is because eBay requires that you specify something in the shipping field. Your actual return shipping costs will vary according to size and weight and postal code. Note also that if your packing is inadequate or compromised upon incoming shipping, there can be a packing materials cost. If you have any other questions, anything you need to clarify, just let me know.