Caution: Nerd alert about the goings on of a sound mule, er, enthusiast.

I'm ecstatic. My two CDJs took a crap during Comfy Man in September. If you've seen 'em, they're a pair of Pioneer CDJ-1000s that are considered the gold standard. They are expensive, and repairing them is no different.

Both decks needed diagnostics, and Media Assoc. in Mt. View (ptooey!) told me one needed cleaning while the other needed a new pickup assembly (laser and servo that moves it). The cleaning was included in the diagnostics and cost $110 per unit. The second unit cost an extra $340 to replace the pickup. Ouch.

When I got both units back home. The unit that was only cleaned was still not working properly. TerriLynn returned it to the repair shop, and they said nothing was wrong with it, despite that it would not play 3/4 of the discs I inserted into it. They sent her home with the CDJ.

So, I called up Media Assoc. and said I would like them to replace the pickup assembly, so please order one right away, and I'll bring the deck in when they received it. They refused. They said they could not order any parts without a diagnostic, which they had already done twice. I didn't have time for all this as I'm doing sound at two venues for the Freaker's Ball in Santa Cruz. I felt disappointed that I couldn't order work to be done on my own unit. Who am I kidding? I was pissed off.

After reviewing the internet, everybody said it was a job left to professionals. But since I had such poor experience with "professionals", I decided to give replacing it a try. I ordered the part from Pioneer for $121, and today I replaced it. I'm listening to the deck right now. It's working great, even with those CDs it refused to play before the repair. I now feel confident that if these decks ever need further service, I can disassemble and reassemble the buggers.

And the show goes on!