Rick Davis says: Skip Simmons is certainly a great tech!

[vibrolux56]

JoeF

The definition of: RUMOUR  "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern"

In other words not "YOUR first hand experience, and thus far unverified".

And you are right that Skip does not do endorsement deals, or give away gear to use someones name. He told me that the first time we talked. I'm ready to move on, no one seems to have any first hand experience that support this "premium Rate" theory. I don't enjoy arguments, but I needed to say that my experience has been quite the opposite of what Rick inferred, I said it, I stand by it, I'm done. James

[gheumann]

I recently sent a customer to Skip over a problem that was very hard to find - a slight rumbling in the amp that was unaffected by the volume control, but slightly affected by all 3 tone controls.  Wasn't a tube, wasn't mechanically sensitive, etc. He found it and fixed it. He worked fast and accurately, and most importantly his experience led him to the proper diagnosis quickly - it was a small cap in the tone control circuit - the kind that simply almost never fail. He did NOT charge an arm and a leg, or anything close. The customer is happy, feels he was treated fairly. That's why I sent him to Skip in the first place.

[Stephen S]

I stand by my statement:  Skip Simmons is certainly a great tech, if a bit pricey.  Premium techs get premium rates.  Here is what I was talking about:  I bought my rebuilt Masco ME-18P amp from Jim Rossen for a fraction of what Skip sells his for.  The amp sounds great; the quality of Jim's work was superb.

No, that should read, "Fulltime professional techs get premium rates."  The quality of his work identifies Jim Rossen as a premium tech and you just said so yourself.

Skip Simmons charges more than others.  ERGO.... "a bit pricey."

That's like saying, "Apples, ergo oranges."  When the single "other(s)" used as a comparison to label fulltime amp tech Skip Simmons as "pricey" is an (overly modest) M.D. who works (meticulously) on amps as a hobby and doesn't have to charge as much, it is an invalid comparison.   It's equivocation, pure and simple, when in a discussion of pricing,  "amp tech" is used interchangeably for "guy who has to make a living from amp tech work" and "guy who doesn't have to make a living from amp tech work."  The dictionary says equivocation is dishonest, btw, though one can be generous and assume that was unintentional.

Let me point out that buying a refurbished tube PA from any competent amp tech is pricey compared to doing the work yourself.

[arnenym]

I just want to let you know that Skip's Masco's is well known as affordable and worthy amp i all europe. And Skip himself has a reputation as a very honest and great man to do business with.

[Ev630]

Well, I just got off the phone with Skip Simmons. In a long conversation he walked me through the key details on the work he did in putting together a super minty-looking ME-18 with various harp mods and an outstanding collection of NOS tubes. It was clear to me in chatting to Skip about the specific work he had done that he is an incredible craftsman with an amazing work ethic and focus on delivering the ultimate product for a gigging player with a customised harp amp. The amp is finished and the price confirmed but he talked me through some options and offered up final mods which he will do before shipping.

I'll be back with some reviews sooner or later and maybe a Youtube demo at some point in the future.

Cheers all and thanks to James for putting me on to Skip.