Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

[Guitarist]

I have very limited soldering skills. However, I do have some confidence (whether or not appropriate, will be determined!).

The input jack of my amplifier has removed itself from the circuit board. It looks very easy to repair, but I don't want to fry the board while heating up the joint.

Should I just bite the bullet and pay $80 to get it proffesionally done to insure that a $400 amplifier doesn't get fried? I've practiced on the boards of pedals and can get a joint, but I'm not sure if I'm heating it for too long...

What do you think?

Here are some pics...

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

What kind of amp is it? I probably wouldn't touch it on a MKIIC+, but on a Marshall ATV, I wouldn't think twice .

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

The legs seems to be totally broken off??!
There seems to be nothing to solder on?!?
If the legs of the jack are broken then you need a new jack!
Niels

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

The legs seems to be totally broken off??!
There seems to be nothing to solder on?!?
If the legs of the jack are broken then you need a new jack!
Niels

Yes, I would need to buy a new jack...where could I look?

Thanks.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

What kind of amp is it? I probably wouldn't touch it on a MKIIC+, but on a Marshall ATV, I wouldn't think twice .

Marshall MG series. Still...$400.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

How long should it take to heat the joint without damage?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

You will need a special solder sucker for that one, and the jack needs to be the same kind.
You only needs to heat up for a short while until the solder is liquid, but I would take that one to a repairman.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

You will need a special solder sucker for that one, and the jack needs to be the same kind.
You only needs to heat up for a short while until the solder is liquid, but I would take that one to a repairman.

A special solder sucker? You mean a desoldering iron with a bulb on it to suck up the excess when seperating a joint?

 

[ES350]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

A PCB mounted pot (the replacement part might be a little hard to find) needs to be cleaned up and soldered from the bottom of the board where the traces are...so you have to disassemble all the control and pot mounts, remove the board, and turn it over. In this case, you have to remove the top board as well. All this stuff needs to be handled pretty gently as you try to install the new part. Sound like fun? Chances are good something else will get messed up while you do that...so take it to the tech...Still like PCB amps?

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

A PCB mounted pot (the replacement part might be a little hard to find) needs to be cleaned up and soldered from the bottom of the board where the traces are...so you have to disassemble all the control and pot mounts, remove the board, and turn it over. In this case, you have to remove the top board as well. All this stuff needs to be handled pretty gently as you try to install the new part. Sound like fun? Chances are good something else will get messed up while you do that...so take it to the tech...Still like PCB amps?

:crying:

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

In all honestly, something that you prepared to be daunting, was already familiar in my mental blueprints...but point taken! :crying:

 

[lastwinj]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

easy fix, but you do need some hours in soldering and repair to be able to do this properly. now, if you are mechanically inclined, all bets are off. jakc is available thru marshall parts.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

From the looks of your pic. It look like you will have to remove all pots from the chassis to gain access under the board? (That's P.I.T.A. #1) Next, soldering skills are one thing... But Desolder skills is a whole new adventure. To do the job properly you need a desoldering braid or solder sucker. Getting the old solder off without lifting a trace ? (That's P.I.T.A. #2) Repairing a burnt trace is another skill I hope you don't have to learn.:smack: Good luck with it.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Should I Even Try to Repair my Amplifier?

I read ya guys. I dropped it off at the shop this afternoon. I'm sure both myself and the amp are better off that way. I'll just play the guitar, I suppose.

Thanks! I do have a desoldering iron with a solder sucker, but it's only 45W, seems like it's a little weak...