Policies
Diagnostics & Estimates
All repairs, mods, and custom projects begin with a $40 diagnostic bench fee. This covers time spent evaluating the gear, identifying issues, and determining scope. If you approve the work, the diagnostic fee is credited toward the final labor cost.
Why this exists: protects your bench time and filters unserious requests.
Approval Before Work
No repair, modification, or build is performed without explicit approval. After evaluation and follow-up questions, you’ll receive an estimate before any work begins.
Why this exists: no surprises for either of you.
Pricing & Parts
All pricing reflects labor only. Parts are billed at cost with no markup. Labor ranges depend on condition, circuit complexity, and scope of work.
Why this exists: transparency and trust.
Vintage & High-Voltage Equipment
Vintage and high-voltage equipment carries inherent risk due to age, prior repairs, and component availability. While all work is performed carefully and methodically, age-related failures can occur before, during, or after service. Any known risks will be discussed as part of the evaluation.
Why this exists: honest expectations without fear-mongering.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times vary based on workload and project scope.
Small repairs are typically 2–3 weeks
Mods and restorations are typically 3–6 weeks
These are estimates, not guarantees. I’ll communicate if timelines change.
Why this exists: avoids “is it done yet?” pressure.
Rush Work
Rush service is not offered. Quality, safety, and reliability take priority over speed.
Why this exists: protects your standards and sanity.
Shipping Policy
Shipped-in work is welcome. Customers are responsible for:
All shipping costs (to and from)
Safe and proper packing
Insurance, if desired
Dr. Fuzz LLC is not responsible for damage caused by inadequate packing or shipping carriers.
Local drop-offs in the Knoxville, TN area are preferred when possible.
Why this exists: standard protection, stated plainly.
Scope of Work
Dr. Fuzz focuses exclusively on electronics. This includes amps, pedals, pedalboards, pickups, wiring, and signal-related issues.
Cabinet work, tolex, woodworking, fretwork, and mechanical guitar setup are not offered.
Why this exists: keeps expectations aligned.
FAQs
What kinds of work do you do?
I specialize in tube amp repair and restoration, amp mods and voicing, pedal mods and repairs, custom pedalboard builds and wiring, and guitar electronics.
Do you work on solid-state amps?
Sometimes. Not all solid-state amps are designed to be serviceable. I’ll evaluate on a case-by-case basis before accepting the work.
Do you work on vintage gear?
Yes. I regularly work on vintage Fender, Marshall, Sunn, and boutique builds. Vintage gear is evaluated carefully, and any concerns are discussed up front.
Do you build or rewire pedalboards?
Yes. I offer custom pedalboard builds, rewires, power distribution, noise troubleshooting, and custom-made patch and power cables.
Can I provide my own parts?
In many cases, yes. Customer-supplied parts are evaluated before installation and may be declined if unsuitable or unreliable.
Do you mark up parts?
No. Parts are billed at cost.
Do you offer setup work or guitar repairs?
I handle electronics only. Setup work, fretwork, and structural repairs are outside my scope.
How do I get started?
Use the Start Your Project form. I’ll review the details and follow up with any questions needed to provide an accurate estimate.