"Techs vs Owners" - Don't Be That Guy | And Some Marshall Minutiae

[@evelyntelevision]

I really appreciate this message. I've worked as a guitar tech for a while and I always try to put an emphasis on teaching, and not judging anyone for whatever knowledge they possess. Unfortunately, I saw far too many colleagues and customers at the guitar store I worked at being condescending about such things. It's really unfortunate how much this attitude of superiority pervades in this community sometimes. It is entirely beyond me that people are so unwilling to be kind and share knowledge, as if they were somehow born with all of the knowledge they have acquired over the years. I think the healthy attitude is to remember that nobody is ever finished with learning. It is an ongoing, life long process, and that's all part of the fun.

[@brandonlonge5804]

Thank you! I feel the exact same, not even just pertaining to guitar. I see this attitude with everything. People in general should drop the superiority complex and gatekeeping. Humbled attitudes, generosity and understanding is what we should strive for.

[@ryanshook8284]

Big ups to that!

[@ironageamplification1791]

I miss the music shop in my local town, but some of the guys in there could be so rude, now I have to drive 90 minutes to Guitar Center with equally bad service!

[@TheStimpy60]

Thank you Lyle, well said. It costs absolutely nothing be civil, respectful and nice to people ❤

[@wbfaulk]

Yes it does! Get bent! 😉

[@jfmax2000]

Ain't it The Truth ☺💯

[@bobimnottellin362]

Tapping YYZ with a pen should be recognized as the best way ever to teach about unwanted microphonics in audio circuits to a particular generation of musicians.

[@el0blaino]

Knew I wouldn’t be the only one to catch that!

[@ronmorey3475]

Haha! I caught that too!

[@howe_bradical]

Lol, I noticed right away too. Rush!

[@ericdavey6702]

Thank you! I’m not an amp builder. I’m a graphic designer and there’s a lot of snobbery amongst designers that the client is just soooo dumb. They came to you for your expertise. Give them credit for acknowledging that they need a specialist like you.

[@PsionicAudio]

My wife is a graphic design professor (years at ad agencies previously). She tells her students “Listen to the client, take that information and provide them five logos to choose from, and make sure you don’t hate any of them - because that’s the one the client will choose.”

[@russellhltn1396]

I love the message: educate, don't denigrate.

[@butchlauer]

Good stuff, especially the YYZ on the gainstage.

[@hksoundpro]

My mentor in electrical engineering, made a humble observation that has stayed at the forefront of my conduct as a tech. "Nobody is born knowing this stuff." This from an individual who was head and shoulders above anyone else in the field. Respect for your approach.

[@darrylritter4275]

In the words of Bill and Ted: Be excellent to each other! And you sir, set the bar for that! As always, great video! Thank you!

[@Fatherflot64]

You are a born teacher --- it's apparent from the attitude you adopt towards your own specialized knowledge and the empathy you show towards those who lack it. You understand that the value of that knowledge is not that it lets you lord it over others who lack it, but that it allows you to solve problems and then, as a bonus, share (in a nontechnical way) that knowledge with others. It's like the old saying that the true teacher is one who seeks to put himself out of business --- by teaching his pupils so well that they themselves become masters and thus no longer need him. Pretty much everyone develops a certain body of specialized knowledge about something they care about or at least concern themselves with on a detailed level. But the non-teacher is either overly proud of that knowledge or too easily irritated by others who lack it. The teacher is the one who truly enjoys imparting the knowledge to others. The real work of teaching is not acquiring the specialized knowledge, but developing the capacity, mindset, and strategies needed to share it with others. Bravo!

[@mikewithers299]

Well said. This applies to everything in life. You can always tell who is a good teacher by the ones asking questions. Those students who have truly found a good teacher never run out of questions.

[@Andernol]

I have to say that a large part of the reason i enjoy this channel so much is that theres never any judgement. Its simply information drawn from years of experience and the understanding that not everyone has that experience, so he shares it freely and openly. Fantastic.

[@sethhajian7816]

You address an important issue...people finding something/anything to criticize and belittle. The internet is full of people who seem to be waiting for these moments. I have learned quite a bit from watching your videos. And I am one of those guys who has been playing professionally for over 30 years and knew virtually nothing about the "magic" that occurs inside of an amp. The collection of electronics, caps, tubes, solder, wires and a speaker resulting in a sound WAS like quantum physics. Now, after watching your channel and being patient with myself (translated as...."Ugh! Why didn't I know or realize that!!), I've learned a lot. So, thanks for all that you do. People like me filter out the negative comments.

[@mistermac56]

Great advice on talking with reputable tube dealers about which tubes work best with certain amps.

[@chucklakeridge7944]

I know just enough about amp maintenance to change a pre- tube and to take it to a tech for anything else. But I learn quite a bit watching this channel, most of which is that there is so much I don't know! I cannot express how much I appreciate the generosity and patience of a good teacher. Thanks for keeping the content coming.

[@chrishalstead4405]

I still only understand about 10% of what you’re saying, Lyle, but still I sit here nodding sagely and loving it 😊

[@stevemartin9035]

I do my repair work based on this mantra. Just had a GK 400RB in the shop with an odd issue of blowing fuses on turn on. It boiled down to a bad bridge rectifier for the power supply, but the real culprit was the heatsink for a small signal transistor grounding out the output transistor -60v supply. They share the same mounting screw, and this bugger had to be adjusted with tweezers to prevent the short. I ended up charging the guy for two hours, plus the part. I spent hours scratching my head on what the problem was, and didn't make a ton of money. Part learning curve on my part with the quirk of the amp, but I can sleep at night, and the guy will be back for return repairs on other stuff. Enjoy your channel, and I've now seen my share of Blues Juniors, but learned what to do on them from you. Thanks.

[@IamMagPie]

I didn't invent the phrase, but I've used it more than once: "I'm a musician, not an electrician". Love the channel and agree that we should all be polite to one another. Life throws enough challenges in our direction, so no need to add to the negativity and problems. Be nice!

[@AZCobraman]

Gotta say it like, 'Dammit Jim, I'm a musician, not an electrician!'

[@PerryCodes]

Goal of educating players: SUCCESS. And a big Thank You for that.

[@MarcCarriage121]

I am not knowledgeable as a tech in any way in any field of guitars or amplifiers. But the one thing I did was purchase numerous books about guitar modification,and Amplifier spec's and mods and how they work and in what way I can do minor mods to the guitars amplifiers with out having problems. Some of the mods I have done was because of channels like yours and those books and I am proud that I accomplished something worth while for me and my gear. Knowledge is power !

[@professornat]

This is by far the most informative 10minute amp repair video out there! Thank you!

[@martinreid1740]

I really enjoyed your "nimby pamby" preachment for today Lyle, you are a great tech and thanks for sharing your deep knowledge of amps, we are all learning from you.

[@FC-cz6zd]

I really have very little understanding of this stuff, but between you and Uncle Doug, you both are excellent at what you do, both in knowledge and communication. Thanks.

[@RasCuban33]

And this is why I love his channel, you cut out the fat and explain in detail what to look out for and what does and does not work well in certain circuits. Cheers to you my friend!🍻👍🏽🎸

[@GregoryHillSr]

I'm here to watch, listen and learn.

[@glenturrell4485]

Thanks Lyle for your always valuable clips. Musicians and techs alike have much to learn from you.

[@mtkidd121]

Absolutely agree completely, well said...

[@maryblum8177]

I have always said that in your never-ending quest for learning, bring others with you.

[@HayesTech]

You hit it right on the head in this video. That's why I started my channel too, to help those to learn that subject and not criticize them. We all started out as a "newb" at one time or another.

[@jamiemascola6614]

Thanks for the tip about long plate 12ax7s and microphonics.

[@christiansievers7965]

Having and telling this philosophy on knowledge and sharing it is on it's own already worth a thousand subs and likes. I always try to tell people if they don't know something, that's great: They get to experience it for the first time.

[@TheLaw1]

My Carvin Legacy 3 is in full repair right now. I told the tech, I don't care if it's OE or 3rd party, just get it running and bulletproof. A good tech that knows you probably have your best interests at heart. Great vid!

[@davedaveleadguitar]

Very informative, thanks for sharing your experience Lyle!!

[@autumnamplification]

Great message Lyle! When I first started building amps, I was met with an onslaught of snobbery and douchebaggery in the amp building community, which almost made me give it up. However, I ended up connecting with an awesome tech who lives half way across the world through a Facebook group. He has been an amazing mentor, and since become my best friend. Your videos are often a part of our conversations, and help us (mostly me 😂) continue to learn. Thank you for what you do 🙏 ❤

[@weschilton]

Wise words Lyle. Thank you.

[@allanmills6540]

Love your ethos brother! X

[@JDStone20]

Great information along with a great attitude Lyle!

[@nolarocks]

One of my fave episodes, man. Super interesting and informative. Really enjoyed it and appreciate the care you put into your work and your comments.

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

I approve and appreciate this message. I watch this channel to learn.

[@mikewithers299]

This video is why i keep coming back to learn more. As a "musician" i liked knowing all the details about why amps do what they do. Ive even rebuilt them when they broke, but it was a huge learning curve for me at first. Now im more comfortable with troubleshooting and repairs. People like you impart knowledge to those of us that lack it, but are needing or wanting it. There is so much to learn about electronics that you would need a college degree, but i cant afford that either, let alone the repair bill of my amps. But thanks to your channel and others, i absorb all the years of experience you have with amps and apply it properly. Safety is number one, especially on tube amps, and that cant be stressed enough. Thank you Lyle for all you do 🎸

[@randallcromer66]

I appreciate your insights and advice and I really like the way you explained the process and how to fix any problems with respect and humor..👍

[@Medicated1]

You live your words well. I used to think I could fix my amps if something went wrong, after watching your channel for a few years I know I can't and shouldn't. I need someone with much more wisdom than I posses.

[@75YBA]

Always the best wishes Lyle!

[@AT-27182]

Beautiful message. Thank you.

[@alanmcdonald6551]

I like your heart and teaching. Always learn every time i watch

[@joelbates87]

I appreciate what you did here. Thanks for making these videos.

[@fredygump5578]

You have a good attitude! I work on gas pumps, and other service techs have a bad attitude about easy fixes. But instead I choose to see myself as the person who is there to help people, so if it is an easy fix, I have time to help more people. If the fix is something they could have done, I show them. And I try to help them understand what details to look for to hep them understand what is happening.

[@mardouqhouseofe3962]

Esoteric Knowledge. Yes you got it right on. This is the reason why all my amps will end up in the landfill one day. Nobody would care and if someone would they would inherit amps that need maintenance and nobody would know how to do it properly. Love your channel even though I don’t understand most of what you say. I love looking at amps from the inside and some insights on amps from you.

[@ChristTiger]

Agree 100%, treat others the way you want to be treated.

[@violao206]

This advice is such gold! Thank you so much.

[@colindamo]

Thank you Lyle for this video! Well said!

[@NickGranville]

Thanks for saying this. ‘Being kind doesn’t cost a damn thing’.

[@sid9170]

Thank you for the explanation of tube differences, even within their generic "12AX7" classification. I used to think all the 12ax7, EC83 etc were interchangeable. I had a used Fender M75 that would squeal like a pig as the lead volume(and/or reverb?) increased. I took it to a downtown shop that was the "go-to" for local rock musicians, and they fiddled around with it, and said all they could do was put some foam around things to decrease vibration. There was really no improvement. They never mentioned the types of tubes could be worth looking at, but after watching you video, I'll bet that could have been the problem. I really liked that amp, but could never get the lead channel to live performance volume. (That thing was HEAVY, too)

[@guitfidle]

When I got my '79 JMP Master Lead, it had 6L6s in it. I took it to a shop and had them source the tubes and properly set it up and bias for EL34s. Yeah, they changed a couple components, but I was expecting that. Like you said, it's good to be informed, and have a frank discussion with the amp tech on what is involved in what you think you want done to the amp. For me personally, it was worth it to get the tubes I wanted in the amp. (This was in '96, I got the original factory Svetlana EL34s which still sound fantastic and function flawlessly)

[@HDYaqui]

Very Informative as always!!! 👍🏽

[@jonsick445]

What a great little video. I have had the same discussion about long plate valves with customers and they simply don't know. The same ones often come back before they order valves now to ask me if they're right or not. I don't mind, it's 2 minutes to shoot a quick email back. It's the same when you have an older amplifier and the caps really want doing and explaining to your customer why it's a good idea and that it shouldn't hurt the mojo of their old Fender too much and will make it safer. I have known techs almost sneer at their customers' lack of knowledge or sometimes the sort of amplifier they give in to repair but essentially this is all near 60 year old niche technology. I only got into it due to there being a lack of techs in my area and I think I'm still the only one for miles. I don't even advertise and still find myself almost inundates with work. If only I could quit the day job, eh? hahaha. FWIW, I did electronic engineering in university and though I just do software now as a day job, can't beat still being in the midst of solder fumes at times. It's definitely kept me sharp and venturing down the route of amplifier repair has been fun for me. I don't always get a win, but it's nice when you're able to dig your customer out of a hole especially on an amplifier that's relatively expensive, or even a cheap amplifier and they can't afford to replace it.

[@vautrain]

Thanks Lyle! I was trying to troubleshoot intermittent volume drops and crackling in my Fryette PS-2 yesterday and decided to replace the phase inverter tube. Indeed, that seems to have fixed the issue. However, I try to know my limits and now that you mention it, I have no idea if the EH 7025 I used is a good choice for a phase inverter. Definitely the finer points of tube design and what makes one design better than another for a given position/function is a topic about which I have much to learn.

[@richclayton5785]

It was my misfortune to have contacted a know it all tech with an attitude that got me to learn how be my own tech. Really good advice you offered.

[@mauricespencer1798]

Thank you Lyle

[@jamesf2918]

sounded like “YYZ“ when you were tapping the tubes 🤘🏻

[@GuitarIv69]

Great video and great insight! The world needs more people like you! :)

[@NERDOFUNK]

That was what my tech did with me, i could join him while working on the amp and he would show, explain and teach along the way. I was asking about mods and schematics anyway, he was such a great help!!!

[@kenwhelan3003]

Great tips on pre amp tubes

[@passionplayer7]

Great tips, discussion, show of sharing kindness and education Lyle. As a player, it would be great to hear your thoughts on all the tube types fitting certain amps/slot positions. At least general preferences as a tech, would be a great help. Currently waiting on some Tube store Preferred El84’s for my new AC30. Of course, things change as times change, so a current perspective would be helpful. Cheers!

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks! It’s pretty simple really. Avoid current production Russian tubes (which is really easy this year) for cathode followers (V2 in most Marshall “plexis” and in most Vox AC15s/30s - though the numbering label changes with different models). PIs can take a tube that’s to microphonic in a first gain stage or in a high gain amp’s additional gain stages. Short plate tubes tend to be less microphonic than long plate tubes.

[@AZCobraman]

Everyone has a learning curve. When my '62 Deluxe started popping fuses I took it in to have it worked on. Turned out it was just a bad rectifier tube...and now I know that. Fortunately the tech was a good guy and did like you, a new tube and few bucks to cover his time.

[@mikeh892]

Well stated. Forums are pure cancer. Nothing like a consensus of wrong ideas to get a person into the kind of rigid thinking that you described. As an aside, if I needed an amp worked on and the guy on the phone sounded like you do, I would not question anything he said one iota. It's a shame that so few people can tell the difference between who is genuine and who is not anymore.

[@Theweeze100]

Love your perspective. I can’t imagine why there would be any negativity regarding Musicians and technical people trying to broaden our understanding of our craft. Go figure…

[@David.S.]

ah, the ol' "YYZ tube tap" technique..

[@PsionicAudio]

Yeah, it sounds different in Canada...

[@sam_uelson]

-.-- -.-- --..

[@jfmax2000]

Great and Extremely Informative Video.. And Words of Wisdom to Follow Here Tech's/Customers.. And Thanx a Mil for This Upload My Good Man ☺☺😎💯

[@PhoenixGuitars]

Here here! Really appreciate your approach. It’s sometimes challenging not to meet aholism with aholism. Stay gold Lyle.

[@roberthurless4615]

Hi, I am glad to see one of your videos again. You had not posted for a while and I wondered if everything was okay.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks Robert. I'll do a video about it or talk about it in the next livestream, but between going to Europe for almost two weeks, getting severe allergies/illness when coming home, and then being swamped with catch-up work, it took me a bit to have the time and the right headspace to do the videos again. And I'm trying to come at them from a new and better perspective. More on that later in some fashion.

[@GuitarSoloReactions]

Great video, thank you.

[@idogepgyar]

I would love to see a video on what tubes to avoid in certain positions or what to look for when choosing a preamp tube! That would be super helpful!

[@Scott__C]

I came up in the 80s and bought a Marshall 50 watt combo with a clean and a dirty channel don't remember the model. But the dirty channel was spiky even if I turned the presence all the way down and the treble most of the way. All I knew was I spent money on a Marshall and the dirt channel was terrible. I did replace the tubes but no real difference. I bought a Peavey VTM120 and it worked for me. The Marshall went away when it likely just needed some TLC. I appreciate seeing this stuff, to at least have an idea what's wrong with things.

[@mattjohnson6916]

I'm never going to be able to test for a noisy preamp tube without tapping out YYZ after seeing this!

[@ChuckChrome]

YYZ tapped through a microphonic tube still sounds awesome!

[@TimBoulette]

1:20 into this and I already love it.

[@joek81981]

8:55 Whoa, that neat, actually. See, this is why I'm here. Would never have guessed that about the cage, the cap bit.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks man. I've had "noisy" Fenders come in where the fix is often just tightening the screws that hold the chassis against the shielding on the cab. A small gap creates noise. Sometimes I just have to clean the metal surface of the top lip of the chassis - dirt/corrosion there can keep the shield from making contact.

[@MrNocaster]

@@PsionicAudio Sir, you are a genius. Simple fix, But i never would have thought of it. You just saved my 66 Bassman. Subscribed!! thanks

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks Chris. Genius, no. Methodical, yes.

[@TheCyberMantis]

This was a nice video. Thanks for making this video. Have a great day! ☺

[@jeremywilliams703]

Socrates circa 350 BC, “The more I know, the more I know I don’t known; therefore, I know nothing”.

[@midtownunited9316]

An example of Lyle being a great guy: I had a microphonic power tube in an amp and I asked if it was possible to change the tube and rebias the amp myself. I don't know anything about working on amps but he told me how to do this and it worked (and I lived). He didn't have to do this. He could have made money from me sending the amp in. But he's worked on amps for me a number of times over the years and he was just a nice person in that situation. I'm sorry if I told a story I shouldn't have, Lyle!

[@petemoore8923]

Well said sir!

[@richardnagamitsu1582]

I watch your show to make sore I’m not that guy…

[@davidwelch2438]

Hi I'm new to watching your videos & I'd just like to say I'm really enjoying them & positive message. Thanks.

[@Fraggr92]

0:32 In general, i feel like people vastly underestimate how much of their knowledge and intelligence has been taught, versus how much has just come naturally and intuitively. People tend to think that they know things because they're just smart, which is why you see comments like "ugh, how could this guy not know X, that's just common sense". They seem to think that lack of knowledge means lack of intelligence. When in reality the reason why most people know things is because someone along the path in their lives has taught them that knowledge, if not directly then indirectly. Extremely few people just raw-dog their way through learning something new without outside help or input. The vast majority of people draw on information and work made available by people who came before them to help them learn and understand and improve. There seems to be quite a bit of hubris and overconfidence in some people, which leads to this "snobbery" and high and mighty attitude that some people take on. Or at least that's been my observation.

[@weevilsnitz]

4:20 "the information is out there but most musicians won't even know to look for that" That is strikingly close to a phrase I've been saying more and more lately - "you don't know what you don't know". Not only will they not know to look for that as a problem, they probably won't stumble upon the correct answer because they don't know what to even look for at all in the first place. If you are stuck with a problem but you are inexperienced 1) you don't know what the problem is, 2) you don't know what to even put in a search engine to come up with the right answer, 3) if you post a vague question on a forum (because you don't know what you're trying to find or answer, nor how to describe or ask it) you will end up with a mishmash of potentially completely different answers from people who you don't know whether you can trust they know what they're talking about.

[@gigmandrew8975]

Kindness indeed!

[@jerryking2418]

Great advice. Share the knowledge if you can. Sometimes the owner doesn't want to know. That's when he or she brings it to you.

[@mikehillier6441]

Subbed just because of the last comment, “teach them”.

[@zlau6132]

Hey, man! Thanks. I didn't know any of this before watching. I still don't know any of it, but I know where to look to find it if so.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Ok. Let’s get ready to rumble!

[@ericheder777]

Some good info there....

[@jamesunderhill1603]

I'd love to send my Laney LC15 over to you for a proper going through but, as I'm on the other side of the pond and very attached to both my arms & legs I'll have to let it slide. Great video, Thanks

[@knifeswitch5973]

Had to be said, and this is applicable to many many things.

[@_patrikjay_]

Well said Sir, Well Said

[@jerrymcgeorge4117]

Appreciate the comments. Thanks!

[@xxGriff]

Good info sans attitude and/or ridicule. good vid.

[@petertimp5416]

Yes,thanks for the info. I to use to think that the ‘LP’ 12ax7 were just a “better” valve no matter where you put them!?!? I don’t play guitar anymore put still found your wisdom interesting.

[@pillmuncher67]

I'm not a tech, but a musician. I find that in a JCM800 an East German RFT ECC83 in V1 sounds awesome.

[@KozmykJ]

Thank you Sir. I was trained up on valve technology in the 70s and didn't know that about the LPS thing. ECC81 vs ECC83 sure but longer plates on certain valves/tubes of the same designation ? NoSiree ! Duly noted. 👍

[@davidszep3488]

I got this same type of Sovtek 12AX7LPS and now i know why it was not working, thanks.

[@leonardpeters3266]

Good man.