blowing amps

[danglybanger]

I've never done this.

In order that I never do... how best can I avoid it? I'm talking blown speakers, amps, etc...

In particular, I've got a great old Jordan 75 watt solid state amp that I really don't want to **** up. I've been told (by someone) that using a pedal to initiate distortion (which it won't do without a pedal) can result in it being blown...

Then again, it sounds great with a pedal behind it... I want to use that tone, but I don't want to wind up with a dead dinosaur of an amp.

Particularly with a RAT behind it...

How do you stay safe?

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: blowing amps

rule #1: Never play through your amp when it's not connected to a speaker.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: blowing amps

heh... apparently, from someone else on the forum, that's ok with solid state amps something to do with there basically being infinite resistance, and SS being able to accept this...

But I still won't do it :laugh2:

 

[Rich_S]

Re: blowing amps

Yeah, rule #1 applies only to tube amps. The SS corollary to Rule 1 is "Never play a SS amp into a shorted output (or lower than rated output impedance).

Also, putting a distortion in front will not hurt it. Putting a booster in front could possibly, but only if it causes the amp to create more output than the speakers can handle. Chances are the amp was designed right, has enough speaker capacity, and will just sound like poo-poo kaa-kaa if you overdrive it hard. (Like the resolution-approved terminology, there?)

When people "blow" amps (properly-designed amps) it's not because of what they do - it's because something small that's wrong with the amp causes it to operate outside its intended parameters, and in turn cause something big to go wrong.

Keep the volume at a reasonable level, put whatever pedals you want in front of it, and enjoy. But don't expect it to keep up with another guitarist if he';s got anything bigger than a Deluxe Reverb (assuming he has tubes).

 

[danglybanger]

Re: blowing amps

the Jordan (after cleaning and a bit of maintenance) keeps up with my Vox AD30VT which is a modelling... err tube... thing... so it's not exactly quiet...

hehe... glad I'm not going to blow it with my Dano FAB pedal :laugh2: (it's a distortion)

So cranking this thing with a pedal in front of it shouldn't kill it...

I get paranoid with gear when it's actually good

 

[Scott_F]

Re: blowing amps

Several responses and no one's mentioned burning your lips on tubes. I"m proud of you guys.

 

[firebirdV]

Re: blowing amps

Several responses and no one's mentioned burning your lips on tubes. I"m proud of you guys.

He has an ss amp, but the thought did come to mind unfortunately...

 

[danglybanger]

Re: blowing amps

:laugh2:

blowing my amp... that'll cause something to blow alright... under a heavy load... err just... heavy load

 

[Mephis]

Re: blowing amps

He has an ss amp, but the thought did come to mind unfortunately...

Someone missed the joke...

 

[danglybanger]

Re: blowing amps

k... so how do speakers get blown?

I mean... they're a larger diameter than...

never mind. but seriously

 

[Kivitel]

Re: blowing amps

I'm packing pentodes over here

 

[joelap]

Re: blowing amps

Several responses and no one's mentioned burning your lips on tubes. I"m proud of you guys.

I was gunna say just make sure its unplugged, but the humor is totally lost now. Damnit. I'm late to all the parties. :blackeye: