Pulled Coupling Caps

[Enzo]

I have GW's books, They are interesting, but will teach you nothing. But I warn anyone that about 10% of it is bullshit, so read with a grain of salt, so to speak.

[Chuck H]

+1
I have the books too. 10% BS is a conservative and generous figure. I like the schematics. There are a couple of basic principals explained in layman terms that are accurate enough. Transformer crossover lists for Fender part numbers, a good speaker code list, a decent write up on transformers and how to combine amps in the same rig. Miscellaneous odds and ends that are observant, interesting and useful. All of this is available on the internet of course. But as a read the books do offer a smidge of insight. Still, there's those pesky falsehoods that smear the whole thing with poop!

[g1]

He does weekly tube amp "webinars". You can do a trial for $1. The catch is you have to pay with paypal, and if you don't cancel within 30 days, you will be automatically charged the $49.95 monthly fee.
This is probably not abnormal practice for such things, but just rubs me the wrong way.
If I had proper high speed connection I'd be tempted to check one out, but then again if there are any glitches in the cancellation, it could get problematic.

[Chuck H]

but then again if there are any glitches in the cancellation, it could get problematic.

Indeed. I know (because I'm married!!!) that even cancelling a magazine, face cream, vitamin, holistic aroma therapy, etc. subscription that was agreed to on a trial basis is a problem. If someone agrees to the trial they are automatically subscribed UNLESS they cancel. This isn't always made as clear as it should be. You need to actually READ the agreement to know what your agreeing to. This seems to be beyond some people (like Mrs. Chuck H). Cancelling means at least an hour on the phone to a number not supplied in the original literature, but rather needs to be brow beaten from someone on the other end of the number that IS in the literature (usually the phones are answered in India, I think). And by the time your done you'll wonder if it went like it was supposed to!!! And that's because it doesn't sometimes. Maybe 50% of the time I need to call again to correct re-billings that shouldn't have happened as per my last communication. If you don't take names and write down "confirmation numbers" your definitely in for another month of billing. The marketing strategy is REALLY simple. "Make it easy to subscribe and REALLY, REALLY hard to unsubscribe." Pure shyster shenanigans at it's best.

GW fits right in with this sort of marketing.

[dumbassbob]

[QUOTE=Chuck H;310930]Thanks, Tom, for helping to bring things up to speed and into perspective.

Dude has a good point. For all we know Gerald (or one of his team) has been doing competent work. But for some reason Bob doesn't like the way it sounds. So Gerald says "Well I sure as hell fixed it. What's actually wrong?"... Then Bob explains that is "just doesn't sound right" and then a discussion between Bob and Gerald translates into more work. Not necessarily continued work. But we don't know (nor am I interested) in such finite details. Gerald is a known hustler and Bob is, well, self admittedly prone to questionable decisions. It's a match made in heaven! But now Bob is realizing that the benefits of this relationship are lopsided. Because I don't know how everything actually went down, I don't know that Bob has grounds for a legal claim of any kind.!. Thank you Dude.

Bob!... BOB! ARE YOU LISTENING!.. Do as Enzo said and call the Attorney Generals office in Texas to find out what kind of claim you MAY be able to file. Then call Gerald and tell him what's coming. You may get your amp back without further complication. You have nothing to lose and you get nothing if you don't try!!!

Get your amp back as cheaply as possible and end this relationship.

Oh, and take Juan's advice too. Don't fall into another dysfunctional, guru driven tone quest. Just get your amps working proper and play your guitar. Any magic tone your Bandmaster HAD because it was old, possibly on the edge of failing and had a "mystery cap" in it is long gone. Good players only need properly functioning amps. There is no magic tone. Just the skill to make magic with the tone you have.[/QUOTAll I am going to do is pay him off,Noone should have to wait a year for your amp to come back.not a 64 bandmaster

[Cygnus X1]

The two threads rang another bell with me.
There was a long tirade in another forum altogether, by someone...a while ago.
Enjoy:

The Amp Garage :: View topic - Mr. Gerald Weber almost left us...LOL

[Jazz P Bass]

What a snake in the grass!
I like the line about the IRS showing up, & then the name is changed to Kendrick (his wifes maiden name)

[J M Fahey]

I like the line about the IRS showing up, & then the name is changed to Kendrick (his wifes maiden name)

Well, *that* is very common, and has been done by many.

When the "Kustom" amp maker divorced and had the accounts blocked by "honey" who also whistleblowed to the IRS just because she was pissed off, he had to make a "parallel" brand called "Kasino".

Thousands of examples like that, by itself not meaning the guy is a con man or something.

When the IRS grabs you by the throat, consider yourself dead, they have immense power and no Law will stop them.

As of what fired ex-employees say, I will take that with a grain of salt .... better call it a 50 pound bag.

Strong taste of sour grapes there.

Not defending nor attacking GW, but in general what despised lovers and pissed off ex employees say is what we call "rotten meat".

On the contary, I do credit what an actual customer says, although in the particular case of "dumbassbob" he bears the main responsibility of what may have happened.

*If* things happened the way he says, that is.

Plus a customer who does not know what he wants but has the vague feeling that "something is wrong but he can't exactly point what it is" is a builder's/modder's nightmare .

God knows I have had my fair share of them.

Plus I do not give much credit to Internet "hate pages".

Of course, IMHO, YMMV, etc.

[km6xz]

GW must have a pretty good hustle because he's managed to attach himself to some pretty good stuff. For example, I have a Kendrick 10" that I like very much. I don't know who makes them!?! But it sounds good.

Apparently he was relabeling Creedence speakers.

[Jazz P Bass]

I did not quite get the 'hosing down the whores' thing
Why would you hose down a whore?
And first thing in the morning?
Is my naivete showing?

[J M Fahey]

I did not quite get the 'hosing down the whores' thing
Why would you hose down a whore?
And first thing in the morning?
Is my naivete showing?

After a long, "fun" night, they were definitely covered in ***** , plus he might have been adept at "golden showers". (Ugh!)

Both "protective coatings" are best removed with a hose from a certain distance.

Previous to a hot shower and lots of soap, of course.

Apparently he was relabeling Creedence speakers.

Just checked the Credence site.

Although devoted to Car Audio Subwoofers (no fools, that's the biggest Market today, together with Home Theater), they still offer an impressive (and honest) speca Guitar speaker, thing an improved Vintage 30 class one.
CS12G63L1 Lead Guitar Speaker

As of relabelling, it's very common; many aftermarket brands are actually made by good old Eminence, Scumbacks were relabelled (Ted) Webers and so on.

I have no doubt that those Black Frame Kendricks were real good.

Of course, probably resold with a 100% markup over cost .... but that's Capitalism, isn't it?

[km6xz]

The only problem is his specs are invented and he claims they make them right in that tin warehouse. After reading some of his claims and grabs for money, it is hard to believe anything on his site, or his books. According to several discussions by ex-workers, Bob's amp was probably worked on by one of the unpaid interns. But what explains the year delay in resolving anything this last time?
The more is read by people who know him, the less credibility weber has. Yes, Bob should have been more careful about unsupported claims and the excessive add-on charges the first time but that is how con men work. Why else would so many people put big deposits down on the undelivered Fischer designed amps, who got burned, other than being true believers based on words alone.
Seeing his mannerisms and speech, and content of his videos, without knowing anything about him, I saw enough to conclude things about him that later proved to be true, without even considering Bob's unfortunate run-in with him.

[Tone Meister]

Surely, someone here lives close enough to Bob that the amp could be sorted out in short order. With the number of parts that have already been replaced, more than likely the amp could be put back in solid working order with nothing more than a schematic and a couple hours on the bench?

[big_teee]

Surely, someone here lives close enough to Bob that the amp could be sorted out in short order. With the number of parts that have already been replaced, more than likely the amp could be put back in solid working order with nothing more than a schematic and a couple hours on the bench?

Where is he located, has this been determined?
We could possibly all help him if he would let us.
"Don't throw good Money after Bad"
Don't pay anymore money to GW.
T

[Tone Meister]

Well, even a badly butchered Bandmaster isn't that complicated to restore.