Tone-Man specializes in vintage tube (valve) amps such as Vox, Marshall, Fender, Selmer, WEM, HiWatt, etc. Tone is my game. Whether you need me to restore your vintage amp’s original tone and performance, improve your vintage original amp’s tone and performance, or modify your reissue amp to the tone and performance of a vintage original, I am ready and able to provide correct parts, quick service and reasonable rates.

From simple re-tubing, bias adjustments or installing new filter caps to total electronic restorations, or, perhaps, undoing modifications to hotrodded vintage amps, I can take care of your needs whatever they are; from cosmetic to electronic.

Toneman’s shop rate is $60.00 per hour. Normal turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks.

WE DO NOT WORK ON SOLID STATE AMPS !!

This is a partial list of services to amps available:

1. Tubes and caps, including the famed “Death Cap”

Filter caps need to be replaced at least every 10 years to ensure proper tone and performance. Old dried out filters can cause hums, double notes & poor bottom end response just for starters. Tubes lose power. There is nothing like a fresh set of NOS or other new tubes to bring that old amp back to life. Speaking of which, you can lose yours if your amp still has that old two-prong power cable.

2. Restorations

Have an old amp that just doesn't sound like it use to or find that old amp you always dreamed about having? I can restore it to its original glory.

4. Reissue Amp Upgrades

Wonder why your reissue Vox, Marshall or Fender doesn't sound like an old one? The manufacturers simply do not use the same quality parts and hardware that the originals used.

The originals used carbon composition resistors, Mylar or polyester tone & coupling caps, lower value filtering cans and handmade, handwound transformers. By replacing these components with original parts (or as close to it as I can) your new amp can sing like the old ones do without paying the ever-increasing prices that require you to use your firstborn child as collateral for financing the purchase of a vintage amp. I can turn your reissue into an amp that will give you the sound, feel and touch response of the old ones.

Basic Starting Prices for Reissue Amp Mods:

VOX

AC-15: Replace signal path components, install correct filtering, replace output tranny with a Mercury clone and add a Mercury Axiom choke. Convert rectifier to accommodate GZ-34 as well as the stock 5Y3, AC-15TB, HW $420.00, CC & C1: $400.00 Basic prices-Valves (tubes) not included - extra charge.

AC-30: Replace signal path components, install correct filtering to original JMI specs, replace output tranny with Mercury Magnetics Axiom and replace choke with Mercury/Axiom. This also includes the AC-30TB, HW, CC & C1series $445.00 Basic prices-Valves (tubes) not included - extra charge.

VOX AC-30 Add on Top Boost Module: (Now Available Once Again) Available for all JMI/Vox AC-30's built between 1960-1964 is the add-on Top Boost Module Kit. You can now upgrade your amp to Top Boost Specs with this kit. This comes fully assembled, ready to install and requires some limited electronics experience. The unit is exactly like the original kit that was built by JMI and has the metal "L" bracket and white fascia is marked with Bass & Treble and has original type Vox pointer knobs. The kit includes a copy of the original JMI/Vox installation instructions. Valve(tube) is included as well. In about 30-40 minutes you can have that "Great Vox Tone" from your AC-30. This only will work on Non-Top Boosted AC-30 models(normal, treble or bass).
Price is: $195.00 Includes shipping (U.S. Only, Overseas orders will be subject to shipping charges, sorry!)

MARSHALL

All models( JTM-45, 1987, 1959SLP & 1962 combo) Replace all signal path components, reduce filtering to "plexi specs" replace output tranny & choke w / Mercury output tranny and choke.

Basic prices-Valves (tubes) not included - extra charge.

Available point to point board for re-issue Marshalls installed extra $150.00 on top of normal price of mod.

JTM-45, 1987 & 1962 "Bluesbreaker" Combo- $425.00 1959 100 watt: $545.00

Other Marshall's that would benefit from some upgraded signal path components, new filters, trannies and choke include ALL '70's metal panels & JCM800's.

FENDER

SAME SORT OF UPGRADES, GENERALLY SPEAKING?

Other amps that benefit from up-grade mods: Fender Reissues and the Hot Rod Series.
Prices vary on different models, so please call for price quote.

SOME INSIGHTS ON THE ELECTRONICS TONEMAN USES

We are now using SOZO capacitors exclusively for all re-issue mods. For more info click here.

FREDS

What's a FRED? Fred stands for Fast Recovery Epitiaxil Diode. What's it do?... Replaces your cheap silicon diodes in your solid state rectified amp. WHY? Silicon diodes make your amp sound harsh and brittle because they are faster in response than a tube rectifier. By replacing the diodes with FRED?s your amp will have a smoother/sweeter top end, more detailed tone definition and be more touch responsive. FRED?s are much faster than the silly little 1N4007?s diodes that most amp manufactures use. Why don't they use FREDS? Easy answer here folks; Silicon diodes in bulk run about a nickel apiece. The FRED?s are $7.00 each and this is more than they want to pay. But you definitely pay the price in your sound.

Final comment on FREDSs: Every amp I've put these into has had positive results in the way they sound. I've put them in everything from old Marshall's to Fisher tube stereo's and some solid state Vox amps.

Transformers:
I use the Mercury Magnetics Axiom line of handmade, handwound replacement trannies. They make the finest recreations of power, output & choke transformers for Vox, Marshall & Fender amps, as well as many other makes. They can also rewind your vintage transformer to original specs. Call for pricing and models. For more info, click here.

Chokes: A properly-made choke has a dramatic overall effect on your amp's response, touch and tonality. The Mercury ones are a relatively inexpensive upgrade. Most chokes run about $20. Most amps made in the last 30 years have crappy chokes that aren't up to the same specs or performance as vintage chokes.

 

 

GUITAR REPAIR

Frets

Dressing, Re-frets, Plek

Neck adjustments
Rewiring
Setups
Custom wiring/pickup installations
We specialize in new and vintage Gretsch, Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, PRS, Hofner, and Rickenbacker guitars

 

Installations of:

*"Tone Pros" Bridges and tailpieces
*"TV Jones" Pickups and wiring harness

 

Dealer for:

*Tone Pros
*TV Jones
*Allparts
*WD Music Products
*Gibson, Fender, Hofner, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker

Pricelist for some services

Re-frets:

Unbound Neck: $220.00
Bound Neck: $275.00
Fender maple necks and Rickenbacker fingerboards add $50.00 for re-shooting lacquer or poly finish on fingerboard

 

Fret Dress

Level, re-crown and polish: $80.00

Basic Setups

Include neck adjustment, pickup adjustment, set intonation, and action

Six Strings: $60.00 includes 1 set Pyramid Pure Nickle round wound strings

12 Strings: $80.00 includes 1 set of Pyramid Gold Flatwound strings

4 & 5 (6?) String Bass: $50.00 Strings Extra!

Acoustic & Archtop Guitars

Price varies on guitar and what's needed.

RICKENBACKER VINTAGE SERIES PICKUPS UN-WINDING:

Yes, that is un-winding. Nearly all Ric Vintage Series pickups (until 2/00)are wound to anywhere from 11K d.c. to 13.5K d.c. resulting in a very harsh, brittle sound that sounds nothing like the originals. You can have your pickup un-wound to post 1963 specs of 7.4K d.c. (or there abouts). This makes all the difference in getting that original Rickenbacker Tone.

Rickenbacker is now winding there Vintage series pickups to 7.4K to comply with all the complaints they've received over the last few years.

TV Jones Pickups:

I offer these incredible recreations of FilterTron's and HiLo'Trons for Gretsch Guitars. Also available are wiring harness for Gretsch and excellent replacement pickups for Gibson humbuckings, P-90's and Fender pickups as well as some unusual creations of his own.

Call for pricing on these and check out tvjones here...

 

EFFECTS

We all know how great some of the old pedals sounded. Sadly, pedals -- like amps – can be affected by age and the climate. Things like True Bypass weren't common in the 60's. I can restore your old pedals to their former glory as well as improving them.
As well, I offer upgrades to several reissue pedals. I can turn any Ibanez Tube Screamer into the highly desirable TS-808 or mod your reissue Fuzz Face or Tone Bender. And then we can make your Cry Baby or Vox Wah Wah sound like the greatest old wah in the world.

Upgrade your Wah Wah to sound like an original VOX CLYDE McCOY. Why spend a few hundred dollars to buy an original VOX or CRY BABY, when you can upgrade your reissue VOX or older CRY BABY for a 1/4 of the price !

UPGRADE #1
Replace inductor, pot and add DPDT switch for TRUE BYPASS Only $90.00

UPGRADE #2
All Features Of #1 but add modifying circuit to use original type parts (carbon comp. resistors & mylar & polyester caps) Involves changing all
parts in signal path to 1966 specs. Only $120.00

 

Vox Valve Tone pedals modded for better tone and warmth. Price $60.00
Vox Tone Benders reissues modded: $55.00
Dunlop-made Fuzz Face's turned into original specs. Only $75.00

 

FULLTONE POT (good for 150,000 turns. Same taper and response as original ICAR pot but longer life). N/A

CARLING DPDT SWITCH: $10.00

Turnaround time is 5-7 days. All work comes with a 90 day warranty of parts and 30 days on labor.

We also mod reissue Vox and Cry Baby Wah Wah's to original 1967 specs, Ibanez TS-9's and
uUpgrade Vox "Valve Tone" pedals.