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  3. 142606-137

Catastrophic Accident! What To Do!?

This actually happened during the holidays.  I'm having a hard time dealing with it.  I've owned my Music Reference RM9 amp for over 15 years.  While replacing a fuse, something I've done easily over 2 dz. times thru the yrs, The amp tipped over.  Long story short, the way the unit fell damaged/smashed most of the tubes (12 in total!).  Man, seriously, I practically feel like I've lost a member of my family!  I've been in contact with Roger Modjeski at Ram Labs and they've been 100% supportive even though I'm not the original owner.  But the dilemma is substantial, the amp can be repaired no doubt, but to transport it from S. Fl. to Ca., plus tube replacement, plus possible other repairs.  Not sure it makes dollas & sense.  The fact is I'm not the youngster I was when I 1st acquired the gear, plus being retired the money ain't what it used to be.  This accident has seriously got me considering whether I should continue with the hobby.  The gear, 1000's of records and CD's somehow, suddenly feels like a bit much.  I've been into the gear for 35+ yrs. but I've been a music-lover my entire life, I'll never stop listening....but maybe it's time to downsize?  Ram Labs has offered help in testing, and/or repairing, and even offered the alternative of selling the unit for parts.  Tremendous support!  I think I'd be able to sell it but I just can't bring myself to go down that road, not yet.  So into the 'spares' closet she goes, and since I don't have another amp, it's headphone time!  

Here's hoping y'all have a safe and incident-free New Year!
128x128chazro
gdnrbob
4,450 posts
 
@ganach,
Good idea.
Tom Tutay is highly regarded.
B
drastic's avatar
drastic
18 posts
 
Remember that you don't have to do everything yourself.  Wherever you live, chances are good there is someone nearby who will help with routine chores for $20 an hour.  Moving the amps?  Packing the amp and taking it to the UPS store?  Just copy his driver's license and let him do the stuff you don't want to do.
1extreme's avatar
1extreme
161 posts
 
Please clarify. Did it "only" tip / roll over on the tubes and smash all 12 or did it actually fall off a table and really sustain some damage beyond broken tubes? If you just smashed all tubes then you should be able to find a local guitar amp repair guy in S FL to restore it. I am assuming you broke some of the tube sockets and they also need to be replaced or there is something more involved than just removing the broken tubes and replacing them.

(Sorry if you already answered some of this. I am too busy listening to music on my tube amps to read it all. ;-) But I do feel for you.)
gdnrbob
4,450 posts
 
The last place I would trust to pack something is UPS.
Hopefully, you have the original boxes, but if not, double box and use lots of packing foam/peanuts/bubble wrap.
Bob
fleschler
2,017 posts
 
I have an HO5+ property insurance policy with a $2,500 deductible.  I also have insured all my equipment (including non-destructable items such as power outlets and Stillpoints) under scheduled property, with no deductible for $137,000 (both audio rooms and two video rooms as well as unused audio equipment like Mac MC30s, Fisher 400&500 receiver,etc).  The scheduled property allows any cause for the demise of the equipment to be covered but I would only use it for loss by fire, earthquake or theft.  Otherwise, I feel I would be risking the policy, getting higher premiums for just ordinary repairs or accidents.
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