Shure FP33 repair recommendation? at DVinfo.net

Kevin Walsh · November 18th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Could somebody recommend a good repair shop that can replace the master gain pot on an FP33? Shure flat rates their repairs for the FP33 at $661.00 U.S. which seems unreasonable to me. They will sell me the part for $50.
I am located PA, though I'll ship it anywhere in the U.S. if the repair shop is good and their prices are affordable.

Ngo Vinh-Hoi · November 18th, 2008, 02:42 PM

Hi Kevin,

You might try Pro Sound in NYC (Pro-Sound @ Professional Sound Services). Trew Audio in Nashville (Trew Audio: Location Sound Equipment Sales, Rentals & Service for Film & Video Production throughout the US, Canada, and the rest of the world.) is another option. Both are first rate location audio sales/rental houses with in-house repair services. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Yrs,

Hoi

Steve Oakley · November 18th, 2008, 04:06 PM

I'm not sure who told you that, but I called shure directly and they wanted $160 for a flat rate repair. I think some one quoted you wrong.

they couldn't fix my unit and sent me a new one for like $40 more for shipping or something. I was very happy with the deal to have a new unit.

Kevin Walsh · November 18th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Oakley

I'm not sure who told you that, but I called shure directly and they wanted $160 for a flat rate repair. I think some one quoted you wrong.

they couldn't fix my unit and sent me a new one for like $40 more for shipping or something. I was very happy with the deal to have a new unit.

I spoke to someone in the service dept. I'll call again tomorrow and post their response.

Dan Brockett · November 18th, 2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Walsh

I spoke to someone in the service dept. I'll call again tomorrow and post their response.

Yes, I would double check that. I sent a client's FP-33 years ago to Shure and it was pretty reasonable. An FP-33 isn't even worth $661.00, so I would not go that route. I liked Shure service and yes they did offer to upgrade to a new model for a reasonable cost as well.

Or you could just chuck it into the bin and do what everyone else in this business does - buy a Sound Devices 302!

Dan

Bill Pryor · November 18th, 2008, 07:52 PM

A new FP33 is over 1200 bucks, so I'd say it's definitely worth fixing, although not for that exhorbitant price.

Marshall Staton · November 19th, 2008, 12:40 AM

I thought the fp33 was discontinued years ago. Website doesn't say that, hrmm wonder when the last time they sold a new one was?

Kevin Walsh · November 19th, 2008, 02:01 PM

Well I called Shure today and was told, yes $661 is the correct price for repairing the FP33 no matter what is wrong. When I mentioned that I was in contact with people who had their mixer repaired for much less, he said to send it in for an estimate and he'll get a specialist to look at it. He then said that Shure doesn't like to charge their customers that ($661) price and my repair would likely be less.

A very strange phone call. I'll repost once I get the estimate if anyone is interested.

Dan Brockett · November 19th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Walsh

Well I called Shure today and was told, yes $661 is the correct price for repairing the FP33 no matter what is wrong. When I mentioned that I was in contact with people who had their mixer repaired for much less, he said to send it in for an estimate and he'll get a specialist to look at it. He then said that Shure doesn't like to charge their customers that ($661) price and my repair would likely be less.

A very strange phone call. I'll repost once I get the estimate if anyone is interested.

Very bizarre.

Dan

Brooks Harrington · November 20th, 2008, 09:45 AM

brand new in box FP33 for $650.

Shure FP33 Portable Stereo Audio Mixer Unused

I don't think Shure is interested in making or dealing with mixers....

Kevin Walsh · November 21st, 2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooks Harrington

brand new in box FP33 for $650.

Shure FP33 Portable Stereo Audio Mixer Unused

I don't think Shure is interested in making or dealing with mixers....

My thoughts exactly.

I know these things are inferior to the SD 302, but they are still good solid mixers. That seems like a deal if it really is new.

BTW I thought I read somewhere that if I get a SD 302 I could connect it to my FP33 through the mixbus and get 6 channels. Is this true?

Steve Oakley · November 21st, 2008, 10:08 PM

well I called shure a day ago and got the PDF service manual in an email. if you can get the pot for $50, take it. that said, you do need to do a calibration procedure once its changed. there is a lot more going on inside these things then meets the eye.

as for the 302 being " superior " thats open to interpretation. both the 302 and 442 _lack_ a master gain control, and the FP33's headphone monitoring setup which is really nice. I"ll also say if you judge a FP33 being run on an external 12-14V battery, that is the bottom end of the mixer functioning. it wants 24-28V. run it like that and its a different mixer. its got about the same specs on paper as does the 302, and will meet those specs if powered properly. FWIW, internally, it has a diode bridge on input which causes a voltage drop right off the bat, so your 12V comes in more like 10.5V. the op amps want +- 15V, or 30V with respect to ground being the negative side of the battery.

Steve House · November 22nd, 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Oakley

...
as for the 302 being " superior " thats open to interpretation. both the 302 and 442 _lack_ a master gain control, ....

Not quite true, while the 302's output level is set in the menu, not with a pot, the 442 has a perfectly conventional master level control pot with a detent at unity gain.

Ty Ford · November 22nd, 2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Oakley

both the 302 and 442 _lack_ a master gain control,

Um, then what's that knob on my 442 that says "Master?"

The headphone switching circuit in the 442 is the most complete I've ever seen.

Are you sure you're talking about the Sound Devices 442, Steve?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Steve Oakley · November 22nd, 2008, 10:20 PM

ok let me take that 1/2 back since its been a while since I've used a 442.

what I meant was, big honking knobs you can use with gloves on. here in WI, working outside during winter, a good pair of gloves is a requirement. the FP33 has knobs that are much easier to grab in respect to master output, and headphone monitor & levels.

November 18th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#1
Kevin Walsh Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 225	Shure FP33 repair recommendation? Could somebody recommend a good repair shop that can replace the master gain pot on an FP33? Shure flat rates their repairs for the FP33 at $661.00 U.S. which seems unreasonable to me. They will sell me the part for $50. I am located PA, though I'll ship it anywhere in the U.S. if the repair shop is good and their prices are affordable.

November 18th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#2
Ngo Vinh-Hoi Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 30	Hi Kevin, You might try Pro Sound in NYC (Pro-Sound @ Professional Sound Services). Trew Audio in Nashville (Trew Audio: Location Sound Equipment Sales, Rentals & Service for Film & Video Production throughout the US, Canada, and the rest of the world.) is another option. Both are first rate location audio sales/rental houses with in-house repair services. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Yrs, Hoi

November 18th, 2008, 04:06 PM	#3
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	I'm not sure who told you that, but I called shure directly and they wanted $160 for a flat rate repair. I think some one quoted you wrong. they couldn't fix my unit and sent me a new one for like $40 more for shipping or something. I was very happy with the deal to have a new unit.

November 18th, 2008, 07:52 PM	#6
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	A new FP33 is over 1200 bucks, so I'd say it's definitely worth fixing, although not for that exhorbitant price.

November 19th, 2008, 12:40 AM	#7
Marshall Staton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 241	I thought the fp33 was discontinued years ago. Website doesn't say that, hrmm wonder when the last time they sold a new one was?

November 19th, 2008, 02:01 PM	#8
Kevin Walsh Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 225	Well I called Shure today and was told, yes $661 is the correct price for repairing the FP33 no matter what is wrong. When I mentioned that I was in contact with people who had their mixer repaired for much less, he said to send it in for an estimate and he'll get a specialist to look at it. He then said that Shure doesn't like to charge their customers that ($661) price and my repair would likely be less. A very strange phone call. I'll repost once I get the estimate if anyone is interested.

November 20th, 2008, 09:45 AM	#10
Brooks Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 152	brand new in box FP33 for $650. Shure FP33 Portable Stereo Audio Mixer Unused I don't think Shure is interested in making or dealing with mixers....

November 21st, 2008, 10:08 PM	#12
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	well I called shure a day ago and got the PDF service manual in an email. if you can get the pot for $50, take it. that said, you do need to do a calibration procedure once its changed. there is a lot more going on inside these things then meets the eye. as for the 302 being " superior " thats open to interpretation. both the 302 and 442 _lack_ a master gain control, and the FP33's headphone monitoring setup which is really nice. I"ll also say if you judge a FP33 being run on an external 12-14V battery, that is the bottom end of the mixer functioning. it wants 24-28V. run it like that and its a different mixer. its got about the same specs on paper as does the 302, and will meet those specs if powered properly. FWIW, internally, it has a diode bridge on input which causes a voltage drop right off the bat, so your 12V comes in more like 10.5V. the op amps want +- 15V, or 30V with respect to ground being the negative side of the battery.

November 22nd, 2008, 10:20 PM	#15
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	ok let me take that 1/2 back since its been a while since I've used a 442. what I meant was, big honking knobs you can use with gloves on. here in WI, working outside during winter, a good pair of gloves is a requirement. the FP33 has knobs that are much easier to grab in respect to master output, and headphone monitor & levels.