Solid State repairs: any potential danger?

[Mononoaware]

I've got an older Fender Princeton Chorus that has been sitting unplugged in my basement for almost a year now. A couple of the jacks have literally crumbled around the edges (way to go, Fender!), and I'm thinking of pulling out the chassis and trying to replace them. Seems like it would be a pretty simple soldering job.

So, my question is this: are solid state amps dangerous in the same way that tube ones are? Do they have caps that need to be discharged -- in which case, I might just leave well enough alone -- or is this a safe thing for an electronics novice to attempt?

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Solid State repairs: any potential danger?

I've got an older Fender Princeton Chorus that has been sitting unplugged in my basement for almost a year now. A couple of the jacks have literally crumbled around the edges (way to go, Fender!), and I'm thinking of pulling out the chassis and trying to replace them. Seems like it would be a pretty simple soldering job.

So, my question is this: are solid state amps dangerous in the same way that tube ones are? Do they have caps that need to be discharged -- in which case, I might just leave well enough alone -- or is this a safe thing for an electronics novice to attempt?

i've owned various Princton and Ultimate Chorus amps over the years... Bought my first one in 1988 with the red knobs... and since i've sold them and bought them again because i missed that bedroom level high gain fuzzy sound

right now i have one of each..... both from the late 90's before the DPS stuff....

anyways my current Princton Chorus amp have the metal ring on the outside of the jacks come loose... i just stuck it back on as it seems to be there for looks... Most likely came off after stepping on my cord a few times... being plastic they are easy to break

if i remember right those jacks are soldered right on a large circuit board and if you mess up the solder job and burn the board the whole amp could be a waste.... I know my local shop has replaced a lot of those jacks and it is not too expensive... their repair shop keeps them in stock as they break.... in a case like this it may pay to pay the tech time...

if you do try to do the repair yourself make sure you find out the right way to do so... make sure you have the right soldering iron with the right heat... circuit boards melt!

 

[ES350]

Re: Solid State repairs: any potential danger?

It still has caps, it still has a wallop...school up on safe techniques before you open the chassis. If this is a first time job, take it to a tech...those traces on the boards are really flimsy and it's very easy to screw it up.

 

[GuitarWidow]

Re: Solid State repairs: any potential danger?

Yes the capacitors still maybe holding a charge. If you were nervous enough to question it, it is probably best to have a technician do it. Since you know exactly what you want, call around for pricing. Don't let those SOB's try to get you to bring it in and charge you a bench fee when you know what you want specifically.

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: Solid State repairs: any potential danger?

Glad I asked.

Cheers, guys. I'll stick to working on guitars and pedals, and leave the amp to a professional.