Repairs
The Doctor Is Currently: In
I am once again taking on any pedal repairs. So feel free to contact me if you have a pedal in need of repair.
Do you have an analog guitar pedal that isn’t quite sounding right, has lost some functionality, has stopped working altogether, or just needs a little TLC? Fantail Audio can help. I operate a 'no fix, no fee' service and offer a free, no-obligation assessment and quote before undertaking any repairs.
Get in touch with us at repairs@fantailaudio.com for more information on how we can help.
Some of the more common repairs/services include:
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Troubleshooting and resolving intermittent/broken connections, power issues, 'dead' pedals, and signal degradation issues
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Replacing broken, missing, or worn components such as input/output jacks, switches, and potentiometers
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Basic maintenance such as cleaning jacks, switches, and potentiometers
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Upgrading existing parts with high-quality components.
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All repairs performed included a 12-month warranty and our FREE 'Pedal Pamper' service to keep your pedal in optimal condition in terms of functionality and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can stop a pedal from working?
Often, it is something simple such as a broken connection or a component has failed in the circuit itself that stops a pedal from working. Also, mechanical parts such as switches, potentiometers, and connectors have a life expectancy and simply wear out after years of use and can cause problems such as intermittent connections, loss of signal quality/strength, or create excess noise. Other common causes include using the incorrect type of power supply or actual physical damage to the pedal itself.
Are there any basic troubleshooting steps I can do if my pedal does stop working?
Yes. There are some basic troubleshooting steps you can try. First, check the connectivity of the cables including the power. Once you're sure everything is plugged in correctly, check to see if everything is conducting i.e. the signal from the guitar is reaching the pedal and it is getting power. For this step, you want to check that the cables and power supply you are using work on another pedal to ensure that they themselves are not the issue. Finally, cut out as many variables as possible by isolating the potential faulty pedal. For example, plug your guitar directly into the pedal with one of the guitar cables you know works and then directly into your amp with another known good guitar cable. Finally, plug in the verified power supply to the pedal and see what happens.
Is it worth getting my pedal fixed?
Absolutely. In fact, it might be your only option if the pedal in question has been a cornerstone to your tone for years isn't being made anymore. Additionally, the cost of a repair will be cheaper than a replacement.
What do you need to know from me about the pedal?
Any additional information you can provide about the issue(s) you're experiencing with your pedal will be extremely useful. Even if you are not the most technically minded person, any extra information will help me get to the bottom of things a lot faster.
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How much will it cost to fix my pedal?
To provide an accurate price for fixing a pedal, I first need to find out exactly what is wrong with it, what parts (if any) will need to be replaced, and how much time will take to complete the repair. To do this, I need to physically see the pedal first.
This helps avoid any guesstimates and allows me to offer a fair price for the level of work needed to be done to get the pedal up and running again. That way we both know what we are dealing with and there are no surprises for either of us.
What sort of things are covered in the quote?
The quote provided includes a bench fee to cover for the work required to diagnose the fault(s) and resolve them (this is based solely on the complexity of the work involved). In addition, it covers the cost of any replacement parts that might be required to complete the repair and the cost of shipping the pedals back to you (via tracked courier).
If I am not local, how can I get my pedal to you?
You will need to send it via courier. I highly recommend adding tracking so both parties are covered if something were to go wrong. For further information, please email me at repairs@fantailaudio.com for the address details.
How long will it take to repair my pedal?
I aim for a turnaround time of 2-3 days. However, this can vary depending on the complexity involved in diagnosing the fault and completing the actual repair, if parts need to be ordered from various suppliers, and most importantly how busy I am at the time.
What if I don’t want to go ahead with a repair for whatever reason?
You are under no-obligation so if you don't want to go ahead with the repair for whatever reason, just let me know and I'll simply return the pedal to you at your expense.
Does a repair come with a warranty?
Yes. All repairs performed included a 12-month warranty.
What exactly is a ‘Pedal Pamper’?
As most repairs usually require the pedal to be disassembled to varying degrees, this is a good chance to perform some routine maintenance such cleaning any scratchy potentiometers, switches, and jacks in order to optimise connectivity and functionally. It also the perfect opportunity to practice some preventative medicine by inspecting the circuitry for any potential issues that might occur in the future but hasn’t yet affected performance. Such as a frayed wire or a cracked solder joint and correct them before they can cause an issue.