I killed my amp.

[Lazarus1140]

I took it for a two hundred mile drive in my truck. Then I took it out and jammed in a dumpy little bar. Then I took it to a band mate's house and we played the next day. A few days later I put it in my truck and took it for a 200 mile drive back to the house. Then I knocked it over on my driveway while I was unloading my truck. All the tubes glow but there's no sound. I didn't even bother to open it up to look for a loose wire or crappy solder joint. I took it to the techie. He'll have it for 45 days because he does good work, is affordable, and everyone knows it, so the line is long.

I have three POS amps that I can still use but it makes me sad to play through them.

This is what I've learned:
I need two amps that I really like.
I should never knock an amp over on the concrete with a truck door.
Amps I don't like need to find a new home.

The End.


Edit: I wounded my amp. It shall be healed and rise up.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: I killed my amp.

this is sad
I feel for your loss

solid state amps may not be your thing
but they can fall off your truck at highway speed
and still make the gig

I have my favorite tube amp (Carvin Belair)
I have my solid state "tote to gig" amp (Laney GC80A)
and of course a Cube for when you just want something else

I am experimenting with pedal based pre-amps for backups

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: I killed my amp.

I took it for a two hundred mile drive in my truck. Then I took it out and jammed in a dumpy little bar. Then I took it to a band mate's house and we played the next day. A few days later I put it in my truck and took it for a 200 mile drive back to the house. ..... Then my amp broke.

The amp getting broken is secondary to the big issue .... the fact that you hit the road and had an adventure based around playing music, which i hope was enjoyable and inspirational (I don't know about you, but I still learn and improve every time i take a guitar out to play in some form, regardless of the calibre of the event).

Your amp got damaged in the line of duty. Which is a shame of course, but the point is that it had been doing what it was supposed to do ... get out there with you on music-making adventures. It's never good when a favourite piece of gear becomes problematic, but it sounds like at least your amp performed it's tasks without issue until you were back at home.

In your position, I'd celebrate the positives of the adventure, give myself a little kick for damaging my own amp, and possibly consider a) getting a second, durable, amp that made me happy, and b) upgrade my gear-handling routines.

In the big picture, it's a small setback, because the big issue is that you're getting out there and doing it. Doing that very quickly teaches you what gear works solidly and what doesn't. I do understand how it might feel depressing that the adventure ended the way it did, and that ending may be taking some of the shine off the trip. But the music comes first, and the gear serves that purpose. So hopefully you can balance the feelings of remorse with the fact that you got out there and did some music-making, which is what it's all about.

 

[DankStar]

Re: I killed my amp.

I can see the CL ad now: "never left the house, 1 hour of playing time, mint condish"

J/k, I'd be beating myself up but truth is accidents happen. Sounds like it's in the right hands.

 

[aleclee]

Re: I killed my amp.

This is what I've learned:
I need two amps that I really like.
I should never knock an amp over on the concrete with a truck door.
Amps I don't like need to find a new home.

QFT

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: I killed my amp.

Yes, having a solid backup amp is a smart idea. I have several Mesas, in varoius sizes so I can cover different venues, but most of those will crossover and can be used in any number of situations. But with them all being Mesas, I am supremely confident in my tones no matter which amp I use.

It's like my guitar. My Number One guitar is a G&L Legacy. I also have Les Pauls and 335s, but a Legacy will always be my main guitar. And, I also have some G&Ls with hotter pickups like the Comanche and the S-500. I would not want to do a 4-hour gig with just a Les Paul. Now, I'm not real finicky when it comes to these guitars for say, RW vs. Maple neck. Some guys are. A couple have aftermarket pickups, but all of them are set up to play the same.

So it's great to have a Tele, Strat, Paul, Gretsch, Ric and a hand full of pawn shop prizes. But if your main guitar is a cherry red 2006 335, you'd better have a backup...one that you could do that 4-hour gig with and be totally comfortable. Maybe you're fine with an Artcore or Sheraton, or maybe you'd be fine with a Paul. Maybe not...maybe another 2006 cherry red Gibson 335 is the only thing that will do. That Number ONE-A guitar is really important, and you need to get it before you have a disaster...before you start building your collection.

Amps are the same way. Sure it's great that you have a room full of low-power tweeds, but if you only gig with Triple Rec full stack...you'd better have a backup.

Crappy situation to find yourself in, but hopefully a good learning opportunity for someone else. I hope you'll be okay.

Best wishes...

Bill

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

Crappy situation to find yourself in, but hopefully a good learning opportunity for someone else. I hope you'll be okay.

Best wishes...

Bill

Thank's, Bill. It's all good. The repair probably won't exceed the $40 bench fee, and I have no immediate need for my #1 amp. The opportunities to play "out" do not present themselves very often.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

The amp getting broken is secondary to the big issue .... the fact that you hit the road and had an adventure based around playing music, which i hope was enjoyable and inspirational (I don't know about you, but I still learn and improve every time i take a guitar out to play in some form, regardless of the calibre of the event).

Yeah, nothing after the fact can take away from the great time I had. Part of the adventure was jamming with strangers of all skill levels and with different styles and tastes. Being the outsider wore off quickly after making connections musically.

Your amp got damaged in the line of duty. Which is a shame of course, but the point is that it had been doing what it was supposed to do ... get out there with you on music-making adventures. It's never good when a favourite piece of gear becomes problematic, but it sounds like at least your amp performed it's tasks without issue until you were back at home.

It is not the greatest amp in the world, but has made friends with my pedals and has served me well for close to twelve years.

In your position, I'd celebrate the positives of the adventure, give myself a little kick for damaging my own amp, and possibly consider a) getting a second, durable, amp that made me happy, and b) upgrade my gear-handling routines.

I made it a medium intensity kick because I saw the tip-over coming and made no adjustment to stop it. My goal is two amps I will like better than this one, and it can be relegated to buried treasure status ... hidden away until my tastes change.

In the big picture, it's a small setback, because the big issue is that you're getting out there and doing it. Doing that very quickly teaches you what gear works solidly and what doesn't. I do understand how it might feel depressing that the adventure ended the way it did, and that ending may be taking some of the shine off the trip. But the music comes first, and the gear serves that purpose. So hopefully you can balance the feelings of remorse with the fact that you got out there and did some music-making, which is what it's all about.

Crusty, as always you see the big picture clearly.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

Sounds like it's in the right hands.

Alsolutely!

I feel fortunate to have found an excellent repairman who seems to be an all around good person as well.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: I killed my amp.

Tech 21 Fly rig comes right to mind , it is about the perfect backup solution from the info I have read and watched.

 

[ErikH]

Re: I killed my amp.

Who'd you take it to? Earhart?

There was a guy in Southlake that worked on my Marshall a few years back but he moved away unfortunately.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

Who'd you take it to? Earhart?

Yes.


And by the way (since we're in the same part of the universe), if you ever want a guitar really dialed in take it here!

 

[ErikH]

Re: I killed my amp.

Yes.


And by the way (since we're in the same part of the universe), if you ever want a guitar really dialed in take it here!

I've heard of him. I need to get a fret dressing done on my Tele. I normally go to Mitch Cigainero. He does great work. Wicks looks to be a little closer.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: I killed my amp.

Got to get them before they get you. Glad to hear you're okay.

I apologize for the ridiculous insinuation that you're amp magically came to life and attacked you. I don't even know why I thought I could make something funny out of it, but here I am, still digging.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

Got to get them before they get you. Glad to hear you're okay.

I apologize for the ridiculous insinuation that you're amp magically came to life and attacked you. I don't even know why I thought I could make something funny out of it, but here I am, still digging.

You're actually right. At the time I thought it was trying to attack me, but when I look back on it that seems a little paranoid. I thought I was battling good and evil at the same time. Do you realize it has clean and dirty channels? I've been trying to cover my tracks ever since.

 

[uOpt]

Re: I killed my amp.

That's ridiculous. An amp is not a folding chair. It doesn't just jump on you from 8 feet away to attack you. And even folding chairs usually only do that in packs.

Any word what's wrong with thingie?

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: I killed my amp.

There's no point in asking. He took a quick look at it when I dropped it off and there is no way to fix it without opening it up. There were words on a dry erase board in the reception area. In case I didn't read them the lady who filled out the repair authorization ticket told me the queue is 45 days.

You are probably right about folding chairs only attacking in packs. I've just been a little on edge since being attacked by a Big Muff that was working alone.