Good Service, Great Guy, Gone to McK – October 5, 2012
Mark Siemens, master of analog audio electronics. Photos by KLH | Eye
Kevin L. Hoover
Eye Editor
MARSH COMMONS – For 27 years, you’ve been able to walk in off the street with your distressed audio device – a radio, guitar amp or even an LP turntable – and have it restored to health by master technician Mark Siemens.
You can still do that, but now you’ll have to drive to McKinleyville. There, at 2019 Central Ave., behind Mantova’s Two Street Music, is where Siemens will continue to toil with his soldering iron.
The new location fits in with a mellower approach into which Siemens is easing.
“I want to downsize,” he said. “I’ll be within walking distance of my house, and also, it’s half the rent.”
Some of the vintage gear that has accumulated in Siemens’ shop.
Siemens’ gadget-jammed workshop has been located at Marsh Commons at the confluence of G and H streets for 17 years. Before that, he spent 10 years at a shop in the old Feuerwerker Building, which burned down on New Year’s Eve, 1994/1995.
Though he specializes in “classic” consumer electronics and musical equipment, Siemens has repaired countless ailing pieces of gear over the years – even a milkshake-making machine. The one category he avoids is today’s newfangled digital. “I’m an analog guy,” he explained.
You may not realize it, but you NEED old BetaMax tapes of 1980s movies. Mark, however, doesn’t.
And while it will be on the far side of the Mad River Bridge in early October, Audio Specialties will still be reachable at the same phone number it has now – (707) 822-4626.
