PLEASE NOTE:
Currently I am very busy with ongoing repair work and all available time slots up to October 2008 have now been reserved. If you would like to send in an item for repair, service or modification, feel free to contact me to discuss any work. However, please note that it is unlikely that I will be able to do any new work until October or later.
Tony Allgood
June 2008
What do I do?
I repair and modify all makes and types of electronic musical equipment. From a humble guitar effects pedal to a modern digital workstation.
I specialise in repairing analogue keyboards. I have seen many different types over the years but recent triumphs include: ARP 2600, Oberheim Four Voice, OBX, OB-Sx, OB-Xa & OB-8, TVS-1, Crumar Spirit, Moog Modular, Prodigy, Source, Rogue, Memorymoog and many Minimoog, Korg Mono/poly, Prophecy, several PS3300 and Polysix, Roland JP-6, TB303, TR808, TR606, TR909, SH2000, VP330, System 101, Jupiter 8, Octave Cat (Original and both kinds of SRM) and many Prophet 5.
See our modification page for typical prices of some of my modifications to analogue synthesizers and effects.
Why choose Oakley Sound?
I offer a very high quality of service. I am a musician, an honours degree qualified electronic engineer and a designer of electronic musical equipment. I understand your needs and I will do my very best to turn those needs into reality.
How much is it going to cost?
This, of course, depends entirely on the job. Initial inspection and job estimation will cost 30GBP which includes electrical safety tests. At this point I will contact you with an estimate of the work cost. Should you then decide to go ahead with any work this is then charged at 32GBP per hour. The minimum charge for any job is thus 30GBP, ie. for inspection only. All parts and any postage are additional to these costs.
It should be noted that very few jobs involving analogue synths these days will end up at less than 90GBP.
Any estimate given at the initial inspection stage will be as accurate as I can get. However, in some cases it is not possible to give an accurate estimate without further work being carried out. In these cases, I can then, with your permission, do further evaluation work charged at the normal rate. This can be common in digital board faults on large analogue polysynths, and thus I need more time to fully evaluate the problem.
You need to pay nothing until the job is done. I am not VAT registered so there is no extra VAT to be paid. 1GBP is one pound sterling.
See our modification page for typical prices of some of my modifications to analogue synthesizers and effects.
How do I get my pride and joy to you?
The first way is in person. This is always the most preferable if the item is heavy or very fragile. And its nice to actually speak to my customers too. Please ring to arrange a suitable time. I work in North Cumbria in England, 12 miles south east of Carlisle. I'm about fifteen minutes drive from J41 on the M6.
Some people decide to bring their items for repair personally. You can stay at the many B&Bs and hotels nearby, and visit the area for a few days. The above photo shows my part of the world at Christmas time.
The other way, and by far the most popular for people who don't live in Cumbria or SW Scotland, is to use a courier. Please visit the postage page for more details about shipping your synths and amps to me.
How long is it going to take?
Most jobs are fixed within one to two weeks, but some very big jobs can take a lot longer. Rebuilding some synths and amplifiers can take up to two months due to the need to order parts from the US. Full payment will be required before the unit is handed over or sent out to you. See the prices page for different ways to pay.
This is a 1977 Quad Reverb chassis that has just been rebuilt mostly to the classic 1965 Fender AB763 specs. All the capacitors have been replaced with new high temperature electrolytics or polypropylene types. All the mains has been rewired and a new IEC socket fitted. The surplus master volume control is now just a dummy.
What's this 'Safety test' bit?
All items passed back to the user are safety tested. This means they have been tested in accordance with PAT (portable appliance test) safety rules. This is a legal obligation on me to ensure that everything that is handed back to you is safe. Sometimes work is needed to be carried out to make a unit pass this test. This may be due to a fault or because of the age of the device. Back in the old days, things like electrical safety were not treated with as much care as they are now.
Any other things I should know?
Items brought/sent to me for repair or servicing are done so entirely at the risk of the customer. Although I will look after your prized possessions as carefully as I can, I shall take no responsibility, legal or financial, for damage, theft or accidental loss associated with the item or items. Also, I will not be liable for any problems that may have occurred whilst shipping the items to me or back to you. Valuable items ought to be insured by you in the unlikely case of problems.
The repair and any parts supplied by me are guaranteed for six months. Any breakdown regarding a different problem, or problems, to the original repair are treated as new, and are not covered by the guarantee. Bear in mind that 'vintage' instruments are often tempermental beasts, even when they were new. It is quite possible that other faults will develop after the unit has been repaired. Although I do try and spot potential problems, I can't always predict what will go wrong.
Items that cannot be repaired, for any reason, will still incur an inspection fee of 30GBP for each item (and any return postage to you will be extra).
Please contact me for further information and particular requests.
Back home
E-mail me here
Telephone: 8-30am to 5-00pm Weekdays only (UK
time) +44 (0) 1768 896722
Mailing address: Oakley Sound Systems, Ruckcroft, Armathwaite, CARLISLE, CA4 9QR
Oakley Sound Systems also make modular synthesiser components. Go here for more information.
Copyright: Tony Allgood
Last revised: June 29, 2008
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