Are techs REALLY that expensive?

antispatula · Post by **antispatula** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:46 pm

I've broken down and have decided to bring in my reel to reel to a proffesional, it records static no matter what. I've heard some horror stories about how expensive they can be........Any thoughts? I'm 17, and am on a BUDGET!

E.Bennett · Post by **E.Bennett** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:13 pm

I suppose it depends on where you live. The tech that I go to (or comes to me) is extremely reasonable as well as effective. He knows tape machines, tube gear, etc. inside and out. Plus he's a wealth of knowledge and makes some truly elegant tube gear (pultec type eqs, comps and mic pres). A good tech can save money if taking the time to fix something yourself means having to cancel a session. If you're in the NJ area go to www.audiotechnologies.com.

by the way, tell the tech what your budget situation is. he or she may try to work with you if it means gaining a satisfied future client.

brian beattie · Post by **brian beattie** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:56 pm

you must suffer and pay and pay to keep your crap running. It is the first rule of recording.
You should NOT have to pay as much as a "money is no object" person, but you will pay and pay. And it is worth every penny you don't have. I would GLADLY pay $50-70 an hour for a true badass, but there is NO ONE in austin that I know of who can fix my ampex 351, so I gotta send it off to a badass in arizona who takes forever to fix my stuff.
In my opinion, there is a sad, scary lack of qualified techs EVERYWHERE. We NEED YOUR HELP, NONEXISTANT QUALIFIED TECHS!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!
Where are you located, antispatula?? Maybe someone on the board can hook you up with someone.....
brian

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:18 pm

RM wrote:www.audiotechnologies.com

I have no idea what they're like as techs, but Nejat sure builds some GREAT stuff!

Check with a few different techs in your area, if there are a few. Check on prices and their experience with tape machines. What may seem like saving a few bucks on a guy's hourly rate might add up a whole lot faster if you're dealing with a guy who's not used to doing tape machine repairs.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

antispatula · Post by **antispatula** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:33 pm

hey thanks guys, I live near San Fransisco.

Milkmansound · Post by **Milkmansound** » Tue May 09, 2006 7:16 pm

I am a tech - and I do not work on tape machines, and yes - its $45 an hour to have me work on something. And I know even better techs that charge even more!

I charge that much because its really highly skilled work that is usually a real pain in the ass - lots of tedious stuff goes into fixing something (or modifying or building for that matter)

if you want to cut deals with a tech, I can tell you what interests me. Broken shit! If you have something else that you do not need that is broken see if the tech is interested in making a trade. Usually broken shit is good for parts, or the tech can get it going again and sell it for some quick cash.

good luck!

E.Bennett · Post by **E.Bennett** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:01 pm

"I have no idea what they're like as techs, but Nejat sure builds some GREAT stuff!"

yeah nejat does fantastic work and is a really good, dedicated guy. most of the guys around here don't know what they'll do if he retires.

Mix413 · Post by **Mix413** » Tue May 09, 2006 9:18 pm

Retires?
He's not a kid, but he's hardly old enough to retire.

Family Hoof · Post by **Family Hoof** » Tue May 09, 2006 10:29 pm

cgarges wrote:
RM wrote:www.audiotechnologies.com
What may seem like saving a few bucks on a guy's hourly rate might add up a whole lot faster if you're dealing with a guy who's not used to doing tape machine repairs.

Seriously. You get the guy who charges $125 an hour, but knows your brand of machine inside-out and it'll take him an hour. Get the guy who charges $50 an hour, but ain't no specialist, and it'll take him four.

dokushoka · Post by **dokushoka** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:05 am

antispatula wrote:hey thanks guys, I live near San Fransisco.

http://analogrules.com/

E.Bennett · Post by **E.Bennett** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:56 am

"Retires?
He's not a kid, but he's hardly old enough to retire."

i didn't mean to imply today. i hope i didn't make him seem like an old man.

philbo · Post by **philbo** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:21 am

Your best bet is to talk to techs. If you offer them a 12 pack of Heineken and some gear from your boneyard that you don't use any more, you might be able to cut a deal with him.
________
LAMBORGHINI LMA002 HISTORY

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:21 pm

philbo wrote:Your best bet is to talk to techs. If you offer them a 12 pack of Heineken and some gear from your boneyard that you don't use any more, you might be able to cut a deal with him.

They guy is 17. You cant buy beer at 17 in any state.

Getting something done properly requires money. It is a fact. Feel good that you are willing to do this right.

Get the best tech you can afford, an feel good about it.

Message Board

Are techs REALLY that expensive?

Are techs REALLY that expensive?

Who is online