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Service Policy

UPDATE - October 2024: We are no longer accepting repairs at this time.

We offer installation of our products and service almost any vintage or cool electronic musical instrument or effect. Generally you could say we are a Japanese synth (and more specifically Vintage Roland) specialist.  Here are some of our most important policies, but certainly not everything.  Email if you have any questions.  Here are all the nitty gritty details on our service policies:

  • We are huge fans of general politeness and open communication.  Simple niceities are very appreciated!  Pushy, rude or uncool behavior isn't welcomed. We're here to help you, let's be friends!                                    
  • Do you offer rush repairs?
    • Not at this time.  
  • Can we talk on the phone?
    • We do not accept any phonecalls.  It is best to text or email us (any time) or [email protected].  In text we can guarantee we have a correct record of your requests and nothing is overlooked. In most cases email/text is returned promptly or within 24 hours on weekdays.  We never answer the phone, so please email or text .
  • Can I ship my item to you?
    • We only work on gear dropped off locally. We don't ship or receive any gear.       
  • What are your bench fees?
    • Our minimum fee to take in an item is $100 (per item) . Most Estimates are included in the $100 minimum, and we will notify you in advance if it is greater than $100. Estimates are normally provided within 5 business days (M-F).  If you do not approve the estimate, the $100 fee still applies.
  • I missed my appointment or I spaced it, can I just come in now?
    • Missed appointments or appointments changed without 24 hours notice will forfeit the $50 deposit and require a new appointment and deposit fee (per item).         
  • How much does it cost to fix my ______?
    • Estimates are made on a case-by-case basis after a hands on inspection. We can't quote you without seeing it .   
  • What items dont you work on?
    • Its hard to make an exhaustive list, but here are some basics, please a:
      • We currently do not work on anything made after 1995. 
      • We do not service: 
      • Modular gear,
      • Large synths *excluding Jupiter 8
      • Yamaha CS40 or larger
      • MemoryMoogs, PolyMoogs,
      • Prophet 5 or 10,
      • Emulator/Emulator 2,
      • Workstations (Triton, etc),
      • 88 key machines, pianos,
      • USB controllers,
      • Kits, DIY builds, anything that is "circuit-bent",
      • electro-mechanical (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, etc),
      • most SMD-based gear (thats new stuff),
      • Italian or Russian-made gear,
      • Eurorack,
      • Home organs, air organs, or Farfisa organs. 
  • My synth is modded, will you work on it?
    • Synths with mods already installed are considered case-by-case and mods must be disclosed prior to making an apppointment. This way we can determine if we can take it on, prior to taking up an appoinntment time slot. If we take it in and we discover undisclosed mods, we will return it untouched and your deposit will not be refunded.
  • Uh oh, I messed up my synth trying to fix it, can you bail me out?
    • We do not bail customers out of mistakes made by DIY or internet-coached repairs or kit installs. 
  • What is your warranty?
    • We offer a 60 day, non-transferable, parts and labor warranty.  3rd party kits and modifications may carry their own parts warranty separate of labor and is supplied by the manufacturer, and will be the responsibility of the owner to obtain repalcement parts from the 3rd party vendor.  Owner will be responsible for any additional labor to repair or replace 3rd party kits that are defective upon arrival.  Please note that banned customers warranties will be revoked and void.
  • I have a kit I want installed what happens if its defective or broken?
    • All labor time needed for installation of mod kits will be billed, regardless of outcome.  Many times kits can be defective, incompatible, or otherwise non-functional and require replacement or manufacturer intervention. Customer is responsible for all costs to re-install, remove, toubleshoot, or repair mod kits, even if the outcome isnt a successful installation.  We cover our mistakes, but we do not cover outside vendors.             
  • I changed somethign after I had you fix it, do I still have warranty coverage?
    • Any repair that has been tampered with, modified, damaged or otherwise altered will cancel all warranty written or expressed.
  • I dont know how to do something and I dont want to read the  manual, can you help?
    • We do our best to help, but we cannot offer product or operational support. Please refer to the manual or contact the manufacturer of any 3rd party/mod/kit for operational assistance (should one be installed). 
  • Can you save my patches or data?
    • We do not guarantee data or patches. Please backup anything you need saved prior to bringing it to us.
       
  • I already disassembled my synth, can I  bring it in?
    • We do not accept disassembled or items brought to us in pieces without prior consent.   Please put all those screws back before dropoff                                     
  • I have an issue I dont think youll fix, should i just not tell you and sneak it in?
    • Please notify us of ALL issues and requests you would like addressed at the time you request an appointment. We schedule based on job length and difficulty.  Surprise repairs or requests may incur upcharge fees, disrupt estimate and repair timelines, or may be declined outright.                                    
  • Yo, Im just gonna roll by, cause its convenient for me.  Youre welcome.
    • Do not bring any in gear that has not been discussed and approved prior to appointment. Surprise gear won't be fixed or will have an additional $300 fee attached for jumping in line.                                                                    
  • How long does this take?
    • Turnaround time is generally 4 weeks but can vary depending on workload, holidays, natural events, parts shipping delays, etc.  We will do our best to let you know if we have a delay and you may check in for a status update if it seems to be longer than normal turnaround time. We promise we wont keep it secret when we're done with your repair, so we're usually just in process.                                                    
  • We specialize in vintage Roland synths and effects    
  • We respect the value of the instrument and will not perform repairs on items when it doesn't make sense (unless requested).
  •  We do not like surprising customers with expensive repairs, so you will be kept updated of all charges if the nature of the repair changes.           
  • Repairs can be dropped off WITH SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT at Future Music, 5112 York Blvd, 90042.                 
  • Repairs and estimates are (generally) done Mon thru Fri .  Sometimes we work odd hours. 
  • Completed repairs left over one week after completion and notification (without prior arrangement) are subject to a $25/day storage fee. We want to help, but we don't have a lot of space to keep things around. Please make arrangements with us prior to initial drop off if you are unable pick up your synth in a timely manner. If no pickup and or contact is made by the customer after 30 days, we reserve the right to start the process to sell and recover repair and parts fees from auction or sale, as permitted by law. 
  • If estimate isn't replied to within 7 days, your gear will be returned for pickup and minimum balance due. Please check your spam email.                 
  • Dropoffs are always greeted by a human who knows about vintage gear and how to respect it.                                                                                                                  

We've been in the business for over 25 years and have worked with major artists and manufacturers, but we rarely brag about it.

Follow us on Instagram @lasynthco .

We can help! Contact us!