Storing amps?

[BloodRose]

Due to living in an apt and my storage facility cracking down on anyone using the electricity there, Im not able to play my big amps much. Is there anything special one should do when storing a tube amp? Ive heard its not good to let em sit for long periods, so I try to fire em up every couple of months for a few min. Otherwise they are in a climate controlled storage with covers and or blankets over them to keep the dust out. I have one in garbage bag to keep dust out.
Any other tips? Im prolly going to have to sell em and get a smaller high gain head pretty soon, but for now, I want to protect them. Thanks!

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Storing amps?

Ugh that's a shame. Sounds like have the proper storage down to me. Make sure to let it cool down completely and make sure its not storing voltage.
Are any of them really special? Use it as a nightstand and sell the rest until you can play it again.

off u see did MRSAge, I m on tapa talk and auto correct is hating on me

 

[everdrone]

Re: Storing amps?

keep em unplugged and away from disasters like water. yours sound good to go! I agree with jon tho

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Storing amps?

Ugh that's a shame. Sounds like have the proper storage down to me. Make sure to let it cool down completely and make sure its not storing voltage.
Are any of them really special? Use it as a nightstand and sell the rest until you can play it again.

off u see did MRSAge, I m on tapa talk and auto correct is hating on me

Yeah, the Splawn Quickrod is very special and so is my JCM800 as I always wanted one and this one is modded too.
I have a PV Ultra plus that I really like but not like the other two, so it could go. (mint condition, but not worth much to sell) and I will prolly sell my Egnater Tweaker.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Storing amps?

Main thing is to have a really good lock on the storage door. That will do more for keeping them safe than all the other ideas put together.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Storing amps?

If you have the amps in storage, I would wrap the heads in plastic wrap just to protect it all, leaving a small amount of space for air to get in. The cabinets should be fine. I wouldn't even take the tubes out. I have a Super Reverb & Marshall 900 that I hardly ever use and I have them sitting right next to my other amps so I don't think you have to do anything special. But if you are storing them in a "off sight" facility you really don't know what kind of condition the amps are being exposed to. I would get them off the floor and wrap them up as best you can.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Storing amps?

ya, pests and stuff may make them into a home

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Storing amps?

Letting valve amps sit for long periods is a sure way to end up with a room full of amps that need to be repaired and/or rebuilt...


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[BloodRose]

Re: Storing amps?

The unit I keep them in is enclosed and climate controlled. (pay extra) So, an occasional spider or palmetto, but pretty good other wise. But I cover em with blankets and all just in case. I have actual covers for the splawn head and cab.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Storing amps?

I mean, we assume you will fire em all up every half year or so

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Storing amps?

One thing to be aware of when stacking them...

Many people put spacers between stacked heads/combos. Don't use soft plastic, foam rubber, bubble wrap, styrofoam, or rubber drawer liners. That stuff corrodes and melts tolex when stored. And using nothing, the rubber feet will put indentations in tolex.

If you stack amps, use leather, cardboard, socks.......anything that isn't petroleum based.
Otherwise, the top of the lower amp will have spots melted into it. It's the same concept as foam rubber guitar stands and the finish on guitars.....only worse.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Storing amps?

good call, I learned something there for sure ^^

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Storing amps?

Letting valve amps sit for long periods is a sure way to end up with a room full of amps that need to be repaired and/or rebuilt...

This. For the 800 and Quickrod just keep them handy so that you can keep the circuits, particularly the filter caps in use. You don't have to play them loudly, but just fire them up and kick them off standby for a couple hours a week or so.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Storing amps?

thanks I did not know that, and am also a violator of that premise

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Storing amps?

I mean, we assume you will fire em all up every half year or so

yes, definately!

One thing to be aware of when stacking them...

Many people put spacers between stacked heads/combos. Don't use soft plastic, foam rubber, bubble wrap, styrofoam, or rubber drawer liners. That stuff corrodes and melts tolex when stored. And using nothing, the rubber feet will put indentations in tolex.

If you stack amps, use leather, cardboard, socks.......anything that isn't petroleum based.
Otherwise, the top of the lower amp will have spots melted into it. It's the same concept as foam rubber guitar stands and the finish on guitars.....only worse.

Good info!! I learned about stands the hard way. I had my heads stacked together for only about 2 days and have little round marks on top of the bottom one from the top amp sitting on it.