I have a Mesa Boogie Blue Angel amp that I'd like to get serviced (possible tubes needing replaced etc...) as I've never had it done (ever) since buying it brand new. I haven't used it in years and the last time I tried to power it on (last summer), the fuse(s) kept blowing. I'm planning on fixing it up so I can sell it.
 
I've contacted a local repair guy here in Orlando, Bird_Dog_Bobby (LOL!....), who charges $65 per hour (amps) which is applied towards the repair (not including parts), if done within the 1st hour. (Of course, with a name like Bird Dog Bobby, how can I go wrong??!!!)
 
I also have an electric with a Floyd Rose tremolo that needs some adjusting and he charges $85 (start to finish). Since I don't have much experience in these pricings, are these fairly reasonable fees for this service?
I'm not sure how good the guys at Guitar Center are and haven't contacted them yet, but wanted to see what you all think before calling them?? 
  

I'd say stay away from GC and try this guy out. His amp repair is a bit high in my opinion, but his guitar set-up is about spot on. I charge the same price here for set-ups, but they include:
 
Action set up
Intonation set up
Truss rod adjustment
Pup adjustment if needed (sometimes people have them too high and they wonder why they hear two tones when they try to play or tune)
You bring your own strings
Complete cleaning of the body, neck and hardware
 
But that amp repair price....I have a certified Fender guy in my area who is one of the most sought after amp guys around here...he doesn't come close to that price and he's been fixing this stuff for 40 years. Heck he just fixed one of my mixing consoles while on his back like a car mechanic and came to my studio to do it for $60 total. I don't know man....maybe AmpFixer will stop in and give you his take. I'm not saying these amp guys aren't worth $65 an hour..but that seems a little high to me.
 
-Danny

For what it's worth...
I have a GC about 2 miles from me and a place called The Starving Musician (about the same distance) which I've traded with for over 10 years.
If it were me I would choose the the local shop and prefer to give them some business provided I hadn't heard any bad reviews about their ability/service.
I would just want it done right the first time regardless on any minimal price delta.
Ultimately, it becomes a judgment call on our part.
That's my take on it.....good luck.

I always went with one of the local shops.  I've seen how some things get worked on at GC...

True story:
Several years ago I walked into a local guitar center and just happened to be standing at the repair counter talking to the guys. A youg man walked in and wanted a new set of strings put on his electric guitar. (No Wammy bar) and the repair guys had no idea of what to do.....I offered to change them right there and then for $10......it took them twenty minutes to decide to let me do it since they could not.....
 
I do not drop anything off at guitar center to be repaired!
 
I find a quality tech....
In Tampa here we have a guy who does some nice work.....he used to work for a local shop jus down the block from GC but the shop closed down and now he just works out of his won shop. I need to get my stuff over there to be set up soon.....
 
Clifford

@Danny, thanks so much for giving me something to gauge on. Regading the amp repair, what I'm afraid is if I have to replace a lot of tubes + his hourly rate, it might get costly.
 
Quaz, Criag, & Clifford, GC seems to be the winner here <cough, cough, sarcasm cough>.
 
I'm so glad I asked in here.....I should check around and see if there are other "reputable" local shops in the area.

craigbI've seen how some things get worked on at GC.

Hmm....I'm scared already.
Although I've bought a few things from GC over many years none of it actually required any real service on their part.
Product was in stock (mixers, monitors) so my experience was "like a duck mating". (Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins).
My perception would be that the turnover at GC may have (3) different people working on it before you got your amp back.
Sarcasm accepted. :)
 
Good luck with the repair job.
Carry on....

Mesh
If it is just tubes to be replaced.
I would write all the tube numbers down, then google them and find out who has the best price on them and order and replace.....
 
If you cannot find the tube numbers then get out the manual.....if you have lost your manual then go to the Mesa website and look for it in PDF format....or google that .....trust me you should be able to find it some where inside of 15 or 20 minutes......the manual should state what the numbers or kind of tubes are in that thing....if not......Google (is your friend) then and you should be able to find this information out......I do it all the time......and tubes are not really that expensive.....unless you really go for the absoulte high end!!!!!!
 
Now if it is electronics ummm that would be out of my league...
But if it is dirty pots then go to radio shack and get some spray cleaner and clean them up...
 
Maybe take a vacum cleaner (and VERY Carefully) vacum out all the dust bunnies and such....
 
Many times it is only a couple of screws and the electronic base will come out of the amp....a dry paint brush will brush all the dust out....run the vacum while you do this...the pots on the front panel may just need some spray cleaner....the tubes just pull out and push in......After you clean ....
 
Maybe look for some broken wires or poor soldered joints and all it may need is to be resoldered.....
 
A lot of times it is some very simple repairs you can do yourself......if it does get too complicated you can ALWAYS go to the tech to have what you do not know or understand fix for you.....but you could be money ahead by just looking and trying yourself....
 
Just saying brother....but at least try...
Cclifford

Do not forgot that you can kill himself poking around inside a tube amp... even when it is unplugged from the wall.
 
Just saying.
 
 
best regards,
mike
 
 
edit grammar

A burned out tube is usually like a burned out fuse, the current no longer flows. Why that would cause a fuse to blow repeatedly is a mystery. Maybe a melt down that causes an internal contact between a cathode and anode inside the tube? Typically a fuse blows when the current is escaping from the protected circuit to ground, or the circuit resistance is dramatically reduced.
 
It is hit or miss whether a chain store like Guitar Center will have anyone on staff to do the repair. More likely they will subcontract it to some local tech (or ship it to a repair center) and mark up his fee so both can make a profit on the final bill to you.