Quad 33 Service Cotswolds area?

[Guitarrero]

Hi all,
Does anybody know where I could get my Quad 33 serviced/repaired local to me? ... I'm in the Cotswolds, Chipping Norton/Burford/Stow area, OX7 postcode, and nearest towns within 20-ish miles are Banbury/Oxford/Cheltenham.
The problem is that the left channel is very quiet at low volume settings, but when the volume setting is higher the L and R balance is restored ... I suspect the volume pot rather than the balance slider, but don't really know much about these things!
I think the unit is all original, so assume that some components would have degraded over time.

TIA,
Steve

https://photos-2.dropbox.com/t/2/AADyYRvA4yd1GfiK9tlzaTThb96lTVsrpE3VKz2KB53HCQ/12/382976168/jpeg/32x32/1/_/1/2/IMG_0714.JPG/EP2Y-IUDGCEgAigC/GKMPUrxSsLP3karrB1cSeldFOKVt8HuE22Ds-GRbRYM?size=1024x768&size_mode=3

[Pieoftheday]

How about sending it to Quad IAG service department in Cambridgeshire? I'll be sending my 306 for a service soon, jim

[Guitarrero]

Many thanks Jim,
I'm trying to find somebody with Quad knowledge locally first of all, before resorting to posting it off ... I'm sure there are a few people with Quad experience, including Quad themselves;), around the country and will look into that if I can't find anywhere local-ish ....I may need to do the 303 too, which is a heavy lump!
How about sending it to Quad IAG service department in Cambridgeshire? I'll be sending my 306 for a service soon, jim

[Pieoftheday]

Ah yes sorry,didn't read it properly, I was going to send mine to HT Baker in London but they seem to be very busy already.

[Pieoftheday]

Fixmyamp.CO.UK in Worcester,They say they'll fix any make:)

[mikmas]

How about sending it to Quad IAG service department in Cambridgeshire? I'll be sending my 306 for a service soon, jim

I would agree with you - for the flat rate £45 labour costs it seems to be a no-brainer compared to gambling with the unknown...

HOWEVER .... I sent a 33 off to Quad last year and it took a looong time to get back (over two months as I recall). I phoned them several times about the delay; the first response was that the bloke who does the older vintage gear was off (either sick or vacation - not made clear). A month on and the next reason was that they were waiting for a new consignment of 'Quad approved' packing boxes. Unless you send yours to them in such a box they won't send them out without them and they charge you for this - about £30 if my memory serves.

They had indeed dealt with the original problem - but be prepared for possible delays and additional costs ....

[Pieoftheday]

30sovs for a box!! I'm glad I kept the OE box then, labour costs seem pretty good though, ta Mike

[jandl100]

Fixmyamp.CO.UK in Worcester,They say they'll fix any make:)

Yup, a good'un. I've used him a couple of times. Real knowledgable enthusiast. Very quick turnround - aims to have it ready within a week.
Very good prices, too. Standard fee is £80, but often less than that. More if a lot of labour / parts of course.
Doesn't charge if he doesn't think it's worth fixing.

I'd go to him again without hesitation.

[dantheman91]

The problem is that the left channel is very quiet at low volume settings, but when the volume setting is higher the L and R balance is restored ... I suspect the volume pot rather than the balance slider, but don't really know much about these things!

Hi

Iv'e read that their supposed to be like this as with many old amplifiers but levels out on half 1 im no expert but i love these old buses using mine at present very good indeed...:cool:

[walpurgis]

Slight imbalance in dual gang pots is common. I'd think that's what it is most likely, the Quad does use one. Should be dead easy and cheap to replace.

[mikmas]

Slight imbalance in dual gang pots is common. I'd think that's what it is most likely, the Quad does use one. Should be dead easy and cheap to replace.


Or a judicious squirt of Servisol up it's orifice - cured mine and helped the balance slider work too after that went sicky ;)

[Barry]

The problem is that the left channel is very quiet at low volume settings, but when the volume setting is higher the L and R balance is restored ... I suspect the volume pot rather than the balance slider, but don't really know much about these things!

Hi

Iv'e read that their supposed to be like this as with many old amplifiers but levels out on half 1 im no expert but i love these old buses using mine at present very good indeed...:cool:

They're not supposed to be like that but are, due to the poor tracking of the two potentiometers, especially at low volumes where the effect is greatest. That is why Quad in their later preamp designs used a switched attenuator, something that was not available at a cost effective price when the 33 was designed.

Send it off to Quad. Their flat fee of £45 includes replacement of all capacitors and resistors where necessary up to a value of £50. You will need to use the original packing. If you don't have it, Quad will send you suilable packaging at a price. Their reason is that only the original packing offers sufficient protection during transit.

[Martyn Miles]

I used Amplabs in Worcester.
They serviced my Quad 303
and did an excellent job.
I would certainly recommend them...

Martyn.

[Pieoftheday]

I used Amplabs in Worcester.
They serviced my Quad 303
and did an excellent job.
I would certainly recommend them...

Martyn.

Plenty of good feedback there,and not too pricey either:)

[walpurgis]

I'd do it myself, but that's just me. Access looks good, should be easy;

http://i68.tinypic.com/2yoe90j.jpg

[Guitarrero]

Thanks Guys ... good feedback for the Worcester posse; I'll give them both a call to see what they think.... by coincidence, I bought the 33/303 privately from a guy in Worcester last year!!
Still wondering if there's anyone closer...

I'm sure Quad service dept will do a good job, but have to weigh up things if they will be charging me £30 per shipping carton .. x2 if I get the 303 serviced too, which I should really .... now, anybody got redundant OE quad cartons in their loft ;) ...just kidding!

The imbalance on the volume pot is much more than 'slight' and only comes into equilibrium at a volume setting of just under 4 ... so pretty loud.
Curiously, this is when using a recently acquired FM3 tuner, however it 'seems' that the imbalance is less noticeable when I'm playing vinyl.

[mikmas]

I'd do it myself, but that's just me. Access looks good, should be easy;

It is easy - with caveats: the 50k pot includes the on/off switch and a suppressor which may need renewing. A replacement pot with switch can be found on the Dada site for a very reasonable price (about 15 euros) but with a slightly larger cylinder as I recall which means enlarging the hole in the chassis slightly. They most likely have the suppressor too.

http://www.dadaelectronics.eu/shop/components/potentiometers/carbon-potentiometers/47k-stereo-log-potentiometer-with-switch

[Guitarrero]

You clearly have not seen me wielding a soldering iron !! .... I can melt every component within a 100 yard radius of the simple solder joint I'm attempting to make!!
Now you will understand why I make acoustic guitars and not electric ones !! ...
I'd do it myself, but that's just me. Access looks good, should be easy;

[mikmas]

I'm sure Quad service dept will do a good job, but have to weigh up things if they will be charging me £30 per shipping carton ..

Can't find the receipt now but the £30 may have included return postage (most likely)


The imbalance on the volume pot is much more than 'slight' and only comes into equilibrium at a volume setting of just under 4 ... so pretty loud.
Curiously, this is when using a recently acquired FM3 tuner, however it 'seems' that the imbalance is less noticeable when I'm playing vinyl.

Shouldn't be that bad - worth trying a squirt of Servisol before sending it off...(if you haven't tried that already)

[walpurgis]

Shouldn't be that bad - worth trying a squirt of Servisol before sending it off...(if you haven't tried that already)

Yes. I'd certainly try that. A dirty or contaminated track on a pot could cause the imbalance. It won't cure wear or misalignment though.

It's worth giving amp controls a squirt of switch cleaner very few years anyway. I personally don't use the lubricating type because I suspect the oil film left by it collects dirt.

[ReggieB]

I used Amplabs (http://www.amplabs.co.uk/) to service my Ming Da valve headphone amp. Excellent service. However, I've had a little trouble contacting them recently.

[Arkless Electronics]

I also service Quad equipment.

[ReggieB]

I used Amplabs (http://www.amplabs.co.uk/) to service my Ming Da valve headphone amp. Excellent service. However, I've had a little trouble contacting them recently.
Writing this reminded me that I wanted to get my Quad 303 services and I was going to get the front panel updated (http://www.amplabs.co.uk/303frontupgrade.htm) at the same time. Emailed them and the replied the following day. So no trouble at all.

[Pieoftheday]

I also service Quad equipment.

Jez, you have PM

[Guitarrero]

Just ordered some Servisol over the weekend, so will try that first ... :^)

Shouldn't be that bad - worth trying a squirt of Servisol before sending it off...(if you haven't tried that already)

[walpurgis]

Just ordered some Servisol

Be careful. Servisol reacts with some paint finishes and plastic components.

[Guitarrero]

Be careful. Servisol reacts with some paint finishes and plastic components.
Thanks Geoff ... I'll take it easy; a paint 'n plastic mire is never good!