25/09/2026
With a mixture of joy and anticipation of my future... effective immediately I am retiring from doing Electronics Technician work for others (not related to me).
I don't think there will be any comeback this time as I plan and hope to retire from all work next year... after I have repaired the amps I own.
This change is well considered and it's time is due.
Repairing electronics equipment is not easy and increasingly it is not a viable endeavour for me.
I hate the throwaway society but changing that is beyond my sphere of influence. I know I've fixed thousands of units saving them from landfill and now my lot is done. I am happy with what I have achieved.
I have been doing repairs in the Music Industry for 42 years, since I started fixing instrument leads at Guitar Factory Parramatta when I was 17.
As such, there are people I need to thank.
Every step of the way, my wife Sonja has shared the triumphs and tragedies. Thank you Sonja, your support, tolerance and love can never be equaled.
No longer will we have customers turning up at our house after sooo many years.
I honour the memory of my parents- Harry and Dorothy Zeylemaker. Dad taught me to solder at 12 years of age and my parents always supported me.
To my family and friends that have been supportive, I look forward to spending more time together.
Thankyou to all the people that have trusted me to fix their gear. More often than not things have worked out well. At times I have not succeeded with repairs though every time I have given my best efforts.
Thankyou to the people and companies that I have worked with.
This includes my mentor Lewis Malia and Stan Mobbs of Guitar Factory Parramatta who gave me a start when I was so young.
Thanks to the local Canberra music stores, Better Music and Davis Wheeler Music, and their staff who have worked with me since I moved to Canberra in 2000. This includes but is not limited to Greg Solsby, Matt Davis and Bob Harvey.
I have appreciated support from other Techs including Rusty Vance of Vance Electric Guitar Services, Tim @ Shamrock Electronics and John Farkis @ Pro Audio.
I have thanks to Evatco who have been a constant in supplying valve amp parts to me. With regret, I cannot thank Michelle in person due to her recently passing away.
To my brethren Electronics Technicians- I wish you well. Our breed is diminishing but that is not a reason to work past when you think is fitting. Thanks to Steve Marshall and Stevie Hyde.
From my reckoning there are 3 other Electronic Technicians doing meaningful amounts of repair work to MI equipment in Canberra.
To those looking for local Canberra based repair help- seek out Shamrock Electronics, Pro Audio Service Dept or David Barbic.
In Sydney I recommend Brad @ Brad's Guitar Garage.
To all the people that promised to buy me a b**r with gratitude, all promises are now considered void.
You owe me nothing just as I owe you nothing.
Finally, if you are interested to know what I will be getting up to, then feel free to join me as my latest musical project, Deja-Two Duo Canberra https://www.facebook.com/dejatwoduocanberra, plays our first gig at Walsh's in Queanbeyan from 9pm tonight, 25/09/2026.
I will also continue hosting trivia.
If I missed you then please accept my apologies.
Tone Zone is now officially closed though I will leave the FB page in place for the memories.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME ASKING FOR HELP WITH REPAIRS.
Andrew Zeylemaker AKA "Zed"
