Our Services

HardWay specializes in the restoration and repair of vintage vacuum tube amplifiers. HardWay does restoration, repair, and custom work on guitar electronics.

I build custom guitar amplifiers and custom effects and devices.

RESTORATION

I can restore your tube amplifier to “like-new” condition and appearance. I have experience with almost all of the classic tube amps of the 1950s through 1990s (and newer). I show great attention to detail and am meticulous in duplicating original circuitry.

REPAIR

Most of my work is repair of classic tube amplifiers. I have seen most of the problems that these amplifiers experience over their lifetimes. I have excellent trouble-shooting skills. I have yet to find a problem that wasn’t solvable.

MODIFICATION

I can perform any of numerous modifications to personalize your amplifier or guitar, and achieve a tone that is uniquely yours.

PROJECTS

An amplifier build from the ground up to meet your specifications is a wonderful thing. Talk to me about what you want your amp to do and sound like. We can develop and build a unique amplifier to meet your needs.

CONSULTING

I am always happy to talk about vintage electronics and guitars and amps. If you need extensive help with a project or a problem, I charge $25 / hour consulting time.

Projects

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Clients & Testimonials

Perry
Long-standing Client

I had been searching a long time for someone knowledgeable with vintage electronics when I came across Don’s website. As I navigated around the first thing that intrigued me was the RangeMaster Treble Booster. Let me tell you, this thing is a blast, and really is highly addictive. It was a great purchase!
After this I contacted Don about building me a harmonica amp, which he did. It is a totally modified Champ, and trust me when I say modified. If you are a harp player looking for an amp I strongly suggest having HardWay Electronics build the same thing for you. This is a true tone box!
I bought a great Strat from HardWay. It was set up perfect and plays beautiful and now is one of my favorite guitars. There are two more guitars I am waiting for and know everything will be top level. Along with this I am going to have HardWay restore my 1959 Fender Tremolux and other future amp projects.
Dons attention to detail, integrity, and vast knowledge of all electronics makes this an easy recommendation. It’s been a true pleasure working with him.

Jim Myers
Long-standing Client

Don at Hardway is an exceptional individual dedicated to his work on electronics and has an in-depth knowledge and a very good historical aspect of electronics, their progression and the innovations made from their early history. He is one of the most capable individuals I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with. He is always willing to go the extra mile when diagnosing and performing repairs. He has a strong respect for vacuum tube designed amplifiers and components. He gives you a synopsis of what is anticipated for the repair and a general timeframe for completion. He is also very reasonable in his labor rate, and has never bumped up the price of parts for repair. I would not recommend anyone else for electronic repairs, Don is the “go-to guy” when it comes to electronic repair and diagnosis.

Tim Ward
Long-standing Client

Don, the genius behind HardWay, possesses the rare combination of creativity, technical expertise and patience in just the right measures. When I have approached him with just a partial idea for a full project or a few tweaks to an amp or guitar, each time I have come away with something significantly more than I could have imagined. I am so fortunate to have numerous examples of his signature artistry in my collection.