The post I hoped I'd never have to write....

[jonamojo]

It sucks when you have kids and you have to be gone all the time,wish this wasn't happening to to you.

[Cheech]

Thanks George for everything you have done. I was late looking for a JTM 45/100 chassis and that is my fault.

Thanks
Will

[OnTheFritz]

My heart goes out to you George. Wish I had something to say that was profound, or words or encouragement that haven't already been said.

An inside story about George. I'd been in his shop several times, and drove up there for something I needed back in October '06.
Mentioned I'd love to build a JTM-45 just for the fun of it, and play it for a bit and sell it on Ebay. I was out of work at the time, so buying the kit wasn't an option, I was just thinking out loud.
He said I can pack one up for you pretty quick now with the check-list and organized pre-packaged components etc.
Said I can't afford it, and he said pay me back after you sell it. I was like you've got to be kidding me? I did not want to take something like that on a handshake. He literally talked me into it and said he trusted me.
Built it, and thankfully a guy hit buy-it-now on Ebay within days of my listing, so I had the money back to George pretty fast all things considered, but I was stressing over it more than he was!
*And* he did it for me a second time.

I never mentioned that on the forum out of respect, and fear that people would flood him with requests to front them kits on that premise. At this point sharing the story seems appropriate to illustrate his character.

I feel privileged to know the man. He's genuine and the real deal.

Best of luck George. You've got a lot of people's support, don't forget that.

[MacGaden]

Best of luck George. You've got a lot of people's support, don't forget that.

+1 !

Great story, Fritz.

[shakti]

Wow. Just wow.

I'm glad Plexireplicas lives on. And as I said, I think there are more than enough "supporters" around here who feel indebted to Metroamp for starting this thing, who can keep the flame. I, for one, will continue to post here and try to offer the little advice I can give to fellow DIYers.

[LeftyStrat]

Hi George,
I don't have the words, my friend. I'm truly sorry for your troubles. The main thing is to take care of yourself and your family. Everything else is secondary.

Regarding your feeling that you're "letting everybody down".. Let me tell you what you've given me..
You and the Metroamp forum have given me something I'd thought I'd lost. That is the desire to get back into playing and working on amps. I had all but quit both until I found this forum. That is something I can never repay. I don't post much but I'm here reading alot. Thanks for creating a community where we can all congregate and learn from each other. I can't speak for anyone but me, but I think there are a lot of others who can relate. You are a very giving person and it is reflected in this community.
It's been a while since we talked. I had a great time hanging out during the Tampa Tonefest. I look forward to catching up again at some point. All going well, the kits will return. But first, take care of you and yours..

Best to you,
Pat Kilgore

[somethin'else]

Yeah, and if it wasn't for this guy right here Pat Kilgore, I never would've found you George. Hey Pat! I went to his house a few years ago and demo'd a JTM45 and a 1987Lead that he had immaculately built, and couldn't decide. I chickened out and got a Ceriatone!
About 6 months later I rolled it up into your 1987Lead, and through the forum I tooled it up even more, and after 6-8 months, sold it and got your 12Series kit. So now I'm done. Thanks Pat, and THANKS George!

And THANKS George for leveling the field and raising the bar of tone and accessibility to thousands more folks who (like me) wouldn't have known otherwise.

There's a candle for you on the mantle, and remember, despite the agony of these trying times you're in, SING holiday songs with your kids and keep the smile for them! Just make that time count. Mine's 6 and if I weren't Mr. Mom for the last 3-4 years, I'd probably be on a bus or plane somewhere with my guitar and your amp ! but missin' the hell out of him. It's a catch 22 and you've got the right choice working now.

Best Regards and see you 'round as they say.

[basile865]

George,

Keep the faith. These are really trying times, but you've still planted a seed that people will not forget about. I know it may sound cliche but I find the saying true that when one door closes another one opens. You will pull through this man. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and the fam. MetroAmp will come back stronger!

[54strat]

[quote="basile865"]George,

Keep the faith. These are really trying times, but you've still planted a seed that people will not forget about. I know it may sound cliche but I find the saying true that when one door closes another one opens. You will pull through this man. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and the fam. MetroAmp will come back stronger! [/quote]


Exactly...and for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. You may not see it right away but good things will happen.

[71marshall]

Hello, my name is Ronnie
I've been a member here for a couple of years now, but this is my first post.
I've owned a 1971 50w (1987 large box) and matching 1960a cab for 20+ years now.
For 18 of those years all i could do was look at the head because it had a blown PT
and other various broken or missing parts. I bought it in this condition and couldn't
afford to have a tech repair it. (plus I always wanted to fix it myself !).
Then I found metroamp store and forum.
I read a zillion posts and looked at layouts and felt I had learned enough to
to "maybe" fix it myself. I had to buy a standup PT elsewhere because metro
didn't carry one but metro had the rest of the parts.
I installed all the parts I thought could possibly be bad (PT,bridge rectifier, caps,tubes and more)
Then I said a little prayer, and hit the switch. Tubes heated up and no smoke. Then I took it off
standby and plugged my guitar in. Amp sprang to life beautifully after decades of silence.
Had to hold back tears.
Read more posts on how to bias and tweak the amp.
This old marshall has performed flawlessly on countless shows and rehearsals for
2 years now. Extremely reliable and great tone.
Anyway.the point of this post is to personally thank you George, your employees,
and all the highly knowledgeable forum members here at metroamp.com for helping
make a longtime dream come true for me. You guys are the best and I am deeply
indebted to all of you.
I will miss the store, but I extend my deepest condolences on recent family issues
having been thru these myself and wish I could help more.
My Marshall and I owe you guys so much !!

Sincerly,
Ronnie Mapps
Marion Illinois

[Scumback Speakers]

George, is the forum going to stay, or is it going away with the parts/kits?

[neikeel]

Moving forward, I'll be running plexi replicas, doing some contract manufacturing, hanging at amp shows, spending time with my kids, wrapping up my divorce, looking to buy a home to raise my kids in, finally starting to address some ongoing health issues I've tended to ignore, offering the Metroamp forum for all of your amp community needs and taking head-on whatever life throws my way.
George

[Freebird]

Hi George

I'm very speechless! Not nice to read your post. Anyway I wish you all the best, good health, joy with your kids and all the good luck for your future! For sure, after rain is always sunshine!

Thank you once more for sharing your know how here on your great forum! Without I wouldn't have two nice Metropoulus Amps!

Daniel

[rd2play]

George, it must be hard to give up your labor of love, but you have an even greater labor of love in your life - your kids. Make sure the little one becomes a when time is ripe

To paraphrase Thomas Edison, you didn't lose a business, you just found out how a business should not be run. Businesses may come and go, but your kids are always there and, given their ages, they will need your full attention for a long time to come.

Thanks for what you did for the amp community

[Jerry G]

Thanks for everything George, and good luck with your future plans.

If I could help in anyway, please let me know.