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Bye, bye Seattle's J & S Turntables

davidguilbault

davidguilbault

Perusing the Bargain Bins
Apparently, J & S Turntables in Seattle has closed up shop. This before I had a chance to bring in two tables for repair - a Yamaha YP-B4 and an Onkyo CP-1130F. By all accounts, J & S was THE place to get your turntables repaired. Nothing but praise for owner/repairman Jim. Any recommendations on turntable repair places in the Pacific Northwest?
 
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Bummer. That guy was great but I suppose it had to happen sooner or later, he was getting older after all.

He was in business for at least 30 years if I'm not correct.
 
Maybe you can track Jim down ... sometimes these guys close shop for economic reasons (eg a rent increase of end of a lease) or 'retire' but then really realize that there is still a demand for what they do and they end up working from their basement or garage in more of a cottage business style...would be worth the effort for you AKers in Seattle to track him down perhaps.
 
Tucker99 said:
Maybe you can track Jim down ... sometimes these guys close shop for economic reasons (eg a rent increase of end of a lease) or 'retire' but then really realize that there is still a demand for what they do and they end up working from their basement or garage in more of a cottage business style...would be worth the effort for you AKers in Seattle to track him down perhaps.
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Yep. Certain guys you need to keep in contact with.

To be fair, it would be a tough game to be in with shop rent. All the long held secrets on cart alignment and such have been spread to the masses with multiple google links and youtube vids. AK has proberly had an effect on these small guys too.

But it's all business. People stay ahead of the game and people fall behind. My local guy here hasn't had a shop front for 3 years. Works at home from his garage and has a good web site for his products and services. I imagine a few AKers here have also done well out of adapting their skills to a dynamic market?
 
I heard the whole building was sold to make way for Sound Transit. Really a bummer! Anyone have suggestions for other seattle shops?
 
Seriously...some very small effort and you can reach him...heck, you don't have to leave home...send him a letter at the old shop address marking the envelope "forward as necessary"...but the shop owner will certainly have the business' mail automatically forwarded via the USPS system so the letter will assuredly reach him. If it is a specific tech person other than the owner that you want contact with, ask the owner to either get back to you will that person's coordinates or to pass yours on to him. Be sure to include how valuable his special skills were and are and you alone are aware of a number of people who still want HIS service (i.e. not THE service, as tho anyone could provide it). Really personalize the request, include you residence and direct cell phone numbers and obviously a return address and even an e-mail... You won't have to hire a detective agency or anything.
 
Old news. It happened early last month. September
Jim was referring his work to Northwest Audio.

You wont be able to reach him. He's retired and isnt fixing anything anymore.
You should know the story Tucker, thats where those headshells you got in bartertown came from. :yes:



..
 
resound said:
Old news. It happened early last month. September
Jim was referring his work to Northwest Audio.

You wont be able to reach him. He's retired and isnt fixing anything anymore.

You should know the story Tucker, thats where those headshells you got in bartertown came from. :yes:..
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Gotta laugh at yourself when you do something like that :stupid: ... Yep, I shoulda known given I bought some of his leftover stuff from you!

But I guess he is REALLY retired, so on the other hand, good for him!

Cheers guys.
 
I've had a turntable broken for a year and decided just this afternoon that I'd finally take it into J & S. Then I start Googling for his phone number and find this. Funny timing.

Would you guys recommend Northwest Audio? I just need a tonearm replaced (counterweight snapped off the back end of the tonearm while in transit). Also, does anyone know if Northwest Audio is open on Saturdays?
 
yeah this is sad , jim was a great guy , he and his wife were a pleasure to do business with. one funny thing about jim is he is completely oblivious too computers and the internet. I once asked him about a thorens headshell and he said " you might want to try the computer, I heard you can buy things there" completely serious! jim was so nice and truly one of the last of a dying breed, the small business owner who is not only very knowledgeable but really cares about what he is doing.

you might want to check out hawthorne stereo, right up the street from jim , they always have some nice stuff in there and prices seem to be reasonable...well, not outrageous.
 
burningoak said:
Thanks, I tried Yelp and another site and couldn't find any details. Looks like 10a-2p on Sat according to Google's data.
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I usually click on the Lost In Seattle link.
It shows 10a-4pm Saturday But I'm not absolutely sure, so if you want to see if it is the later time, you might want to call to confirm.

Good luck. Saturday may be difficult finding parking out front. I think there's a couple stalls in back but I'm not sure about that either. So you may need to circle around the corner for off street parking.
 
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Naturally, right when I move to this city, two big music-related stores close! Underdawg records is closing this week too in Queen Anne! (Big discounts there!!)

I didn't know there were so many AK'ers in Seattle! Does anyone know about the HiFi shop in Belltown? Seem pretty high-end. Any thoughts?
 
burningoak said:
I just need a tonearm replaced (counterweight snapped off the back end of the tonearm while in transit).
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If you have the replacement tonearm, you might find one of your local AKers willing to assist with a swap-out.

Are you replacing with the identical arm or are you upgrading, i.e. going with something different??

Either way, one of the guys might offer to assist.
 
chris8519 said:
Naturally, right when I move to this city, two big music-related stores close! Underdawg records is closing this week too in Queen Anne! (Big discounts there!!)

I didn't know there were so many AK'ers in Seattle! Does anyone know about the HiFi shop in Belltown? Seem pretty high-end. Any thoughts?
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is that the store that is accross from kid valley burgers? been there a couple of times, sad to see it close. there does seem to be a lot of AKers in seattle,does anyone know if there has ever been any sort of "ak fest" here in seattle, a gathering of the geeks if you will. sounds like fun
 
Northwest Audio is a great shop, but John is very backed up with work.

For turntable setup/new cartridges/stylii, check out The Audio Connection on University Ave near Ravenna, not far from the old JnS location. another great guy, 25 years in the business.http://www.audioconnectionseattle.com/
 
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