Dormant amp? Storing an amp

[BloodRose]

I know with tube amps, its not good to leave em sit unplayed for a long time, and then once they have been sitting to crank em and go for it. But, what determines how long is too long? And how is the best way to store one?

I have most of my gear in a storage shed. I pay the extra for a climate controlled unit, but it isnt always ideal. And, I have the heads in large plastic trash bags to keep bugs and critters out of them.

i debated whether it would be better or worse keeping in plastic. keep the critters out and moisture out, but also may keep moisture in if there was any.

Anyhow, what do you recommend? Been prolly about 4 months since I had her plugged up..

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I didn't realize letting tube amps sit without playing them was a big deal. There seem to be plenty of old tube radios and phonographs that still work.

I'd say you've done just about everything I would have done.

Not sure what more you'd want to do?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

the best way to store an amp you don't use is to sell it to somebody that will put it to good use.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

the best way to store an amp you don't use is to sell it to somebody that will put it to good use.

Sadly, I gotta agree with this. If I had an amp I hadn't touched in four months, I'd be giving serious thought to whether or not I needed it. Because, you know, cash is something I ALWAYS need.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

True, Cash is def something Im short of, but right now Im trying to develop MY sound and I dont want to part with my amps yet till I see what works best for me.. Ive got the guitars figured out, so Im thinning those out, but not having much luck.

Besides, Im sure it wont sell for a large sum.. If I could get $500 plus, it would be gone, but Im guessing these go for probably about $350

I need to sell my windsor first. Wanna buy a Windsor??

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

Exactly what is the amp in question?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

Exactly what is the amp in question?

Peavey Ultra Plus (Was my main amp till I got the JCM800) Its never been gigged tho and is still like new.

But, I have a Windsor I should sell too..

 

[pinto79]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I love the Irony. (Not a reflection of you BR) The Peavey that's supposed to be a JCM800 and a Peavey that's supposed to be the be-all and end-all as far as high gain amps go, getting replaced with the real-deal JCM800!

I love it!

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

The main thing to worry about are the capacitors. You have to drain them if you plan on storing your amp for a long time but usually people dont think they will have it sitting around that long until 5 years later they remember havent used it in 5 years. Then you would have to get some new capacitors for your amp or else it will sound like crap or fail or not work properly I'm not actually sure but I do know they usually kill the amps tone. If bugs and cob webs get on the board yeah that wouldnt be too great (if that can happen) but people tend to freak out when they see the transformers all rusty but it really isn't bad for them. Rust is annoying and usually not good so its always thought of as being bad no matter what but rust is actually good for a transformer until it obviously rusts away. Rust actually improves the transformer's stability and performance. If you get rust eventually just seal it up with something (forgot what is the best option to use). Having said all of that though, a transformer that isnt rusty wont under perform or anything it is just one of those things that gets better in time.

I'm not quite sure how to drain capacitors but the best thing would be to fire up the amp every few months and play for a little bit then shut it off and store it again.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I've been under the impression that caps drain themselves over time. Am I wrong about this?

 

[Warheart]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I think this has been posted before at some point?

You can drain the caps by leaving the amp on, and shutting the power off going to it I believe? IE, if you had it plugged into a power bar, leave the amp on standby and turn off the power bar, give it a minute, then turn the amp power off.

Personally, I don't use my amps all the time....When it comes time for the studio, I certainly don't mind having a few solid amps for my tone on hand!

+1 for ACH91332's transformer info.

I think the Ultra was hand in hand with the Peavey Rockmaster, which then progressed to the XXX. I could think of a few other Peavey models that were more "Marshall" based, IE the VTM and the Butcher.

I think if you're storing it, don't keep it in a plastic bag, heat and humidity can vary, even in a controlled climate, albeit less. If you had a head case, or even a soft head bag, it would probably be better.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

cryogenic chamber (liquid nitrogen system). walt disney style yo.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

The main thing to worry about are the capacitors. You have to drain them if you plan on storing your amp for a long time but usually people dont think they will have it sitting around that long until 5 years later they remember havent used it in 5 years. Then you would have to get some new capacitors for your amp or else it will sound like crap or fail or not work properly I'm not actually sure but I do know they usually kill the amps tone. If bugs and cob webs get on the board yeah that wouldnt be too great (if that can happen) but people tend to freak out when they see the transformers all rusty but it really isn't bad for them. Rust is annoying and usually not good so its always thought of as being bad no matter what but rust is actually good for a transformer until it obviously rusts away. Rust actually improves the transformer's stability and performance. If you get rust eventually just seal it up with something (forgot what is the best option to use). Having said all of that though, a transformer that isnt rusty wont under perform or anything it is just one of those things that gets better in time.

I'm not quite sure how to drain capacitors but the best thing would be to fire up the amp every few months and play for a little bit then shut it off and store it again.

Why would you possibly want to drain capacitors when storing an amplifier? This is very bad advice. Capacitors actually last longer when they're regularly charged/used. If you want to store your amp for a long time and you don't want the caps to fail, power it up every month or so. Draining capacitors and letting them sit around will SHORTEN the life of your amp.

 

[Koreth]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

And the caps in question, the monster sized electrolytics that act as filters in the amp's power supply, aren't exactly the cheapest components in the amp.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

Why would you possibly want to drain capacitors when storing an amplifier? This is very bad advice. Capacitors actually last longer when they're regularly charged/used. If you want to store your amp for a long time and you don't want the caps to fail, power it up every month or so. Draining capacitors and letting them sit around will SHORTEN the life of your amp.

Thank-you ... I was thinking this as well, but I wanted someone with more EE experience to say it.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I love the Irony. (Not a reflection of you BR) The Peavey that's supposed to be a JCM800 and a Peavey that's supposed to be the be-all and end-all as far as high gain amps go, getting replaced with the real-deal JCM800!

I love it!

LOL! Ive never heard the ultra was marshall based..?? But it really is a great amp! But its a bit more refined (smoother) than the JCM. And it actually has more lows. I love em both, so dont wanna sell the UP. Esp cuz the going rate isnt alot.

I got the Windsor REALLY cheap and thought it would be cool for a backup.
and may be have it modded. But, not gonna sink any $$ in it.

Just for the record, Ive tried to plug it up and run it every month or so, but been so busy and all that I hadnt had the chance.. But will get the beasty fired up soon! thanks for the input!

 

[pinto79]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

LOL! Ive never heard the ultra was marshall based..?? But it really is a great amp! But its a bit more refined (smoother) than the JCM. And it actually has more lows. I love em both, so dont wanna sell the UP. Esp cuz the going rate isnt alot.

I got the Windsor REALLY cheap and thought it would be cool for a backup.
and may be have it modded. But, not gonna sink any $$ in it.

Just for the record, Ive tried to plug it up and run it every month or so, but been so busy and all that I hadnt had the chance.. But will get the beasty fired up soon! thanks for the input!

The Windsor was Peavey's attempt at copying the JCM800. The Ultra to my ears was them trying to keep up with Boogie...

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

Why would you possibly want to drain capacitors when storing an amplifier? This is very bad advice. Capacitors actually last longer when they're regularly charged/used. If you want to store your amp for a long time and you don't want the caps to fail, power it up every month or so. Draining capacitors and letting them sit around will SHORTEN the life of your amp.

I was under the impression this was the case. I've been told this by a few people.. The amp that I had sitting around for 3 years was a Vox AC-15 and I unplugged it with it on to drain the caps and I let it hang out for 3 years before firing it up again and selling it. It sounded just as good as I remembered it being when I had it fired up for the first time in 3 years. Well sorry for that guy I guess.. but that was like 6 months ago and he lives 2 hours away from me so I guess I'm in the clear haha. Maybe I shouldnt then? I was told to do this buy a guy I know whos played roughly 40 years, another guy who has been playing for maybe 30, and a guy on some random forum which coulda been this one actually. Like I said the amp sounded fine so I dont know man.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

I was under the impression this was the case. I've been told this by a few people.. The amp that I had sitting around for 3 years was a Vox AC-15 and I unplugged it with it on to drain the caps and I let it hang out for 3 years before firing it up again and selling it. It sounded just as good as I remembered it being when I had it fired up for the first time in 3 years. Well sorry for that guy I guess.. but that was like 6 months ago and he lives 2 hours away from me so I guess I'm in the clear haha. Maybe I shouldnt then? I was told to do this buy a guy I know whos played roughly 40 years, another guy who has been playing for maybe 30, and a guy on some random forum which coulda been this one actually. Like I said the amp sounded fine so I dont know man.

You have to remember that just because someone has a lot of experience playing guitar it doesn't mean that they actually know what's going on in their amp. Guitar amps are built with a fair amount of tolerance for slipping components as well, so you can torture them a fair amount and get away with it.

Capacitors are damaged (reduced lifespan) by high heat and running them outside of spec (too much current, etc.). Continuous use (under expected conditions) is supposed to keep them in better shape than only occasional charging. There is a way to bring caps back to spec after they've started to go bad, or have been stored without charge for a really long time - something about charging them slowly with a tiny amount of current . . . I can't remember that bit too well from back in our circuit theory course, but I'm sure of the rest.


It's hard finding decent info about this via google, but I got at least one source to corroberate me:

"In fact, electrolytic capacitors often last longer when they are in continuous, mild use that when they are only charged up briefly every year or decade. "

http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-c04-electr-cap.htm

Like I said originally though, guitar amps give you a fair amount of leeway. You're not going to get any benefit from draining caps vs just sticking the amp in a closet though . . . and it might help things to keep turning the amp on rather than just ignoring it.

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Dormant amp? Storing an amp

i

You have to remember that just because someone has a lot of experience playing guitar it doesn't mean that they actually know what's going on in their amp. Guitar amps are built with a fair amount of tolerance for slipping components as well, so you can torture them a fair amount and get away with it.

Capacitors are damaged (reduced lifespan) by high heat and running them outside of spec (too much current, etc.). Continuous use (under expected conditions) is supposed to keep them in better shape than only occasional charging. There is a way to bring caps back to spec after they've started to go bad, or have been stored without charge for a really long time - something about charging them slowly with a tiny amount of current . . . I can't remember that bit too well from back in our circuit theory course, but I'm sure of the rest.


It's hard finding decent info about this via google, but I got at least one source to corroberate me:

"In fact, electrolytic capacitors often last longer when they are in continuous, mild use that when they are only charged up briefly every year or decade. "

http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-c04-electr-cap.htm

Like I said originally though, guitar amps give you a fair amount of leeway. You're not going to get any benefit from draining caps vs just sticking the amp in a closet though . . . and it might help things to keep turning the amp on rather than just ignoring it.

Well I do know using it once in awhile is good I think I even said that. But yea IDK that AC-15 was a gift from one of those guys and he stored it for years like that then gave it to me. When I didnt use it much and got my Marshalls I stored it like that too and had no issues so maybe its not an issue "yet". That AC-15 he got in the 80s as another amp to record with for some stuff I guess then never really used it again as he has a few JCM 800 heads and combos. So its not a new amp. He gave it to me as a gift when no one bought off of him and it sounded great but ended up taking a back seat to my JVM and then especially to my Haze which I have now as a practice amp so I dont use my JVM all the time. Since it hadnt been used since I got my JVM let alone my Haze I just sold it to that guy on eBay. He gave me positive feedback two weeks later so whatever haha.