Tech' ing gear or not

S

Sam SG

Active member
Through the years. Ive fixed more music stuff than I can imagine. From pickup swaps to wiring harnesses. Fixing cords. Modding amps, cap jobs, blowd up tube amps and even building a couple 18w ers. Building amp racks for PA systems, speakon panels etc.. and to some extent fixing occasional pa amps and outboard gear etc....( some has to go out to a more qualified tech).
But I cant imagine not being able to do atleast basics.
Id be screwed if I had to pay for everything.
(Unfortunatly my eyes are getting weak and Im now getting a bit affraid of doing certain things like biasing amps inside the chassis and signal tracing.)
A freind of mine is like that. Lost his mind that after a year and a half of wiggling the jack on his strat it wouldnt make sound....Dude you couldnt unscrew the jack cup and tighten the jack befor the wire broke.
But really should basic stuff like tightening tuner nuts and input jacks be like Guitar 101?
Not knocking anyone but come on
 
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I wish everyone had someone around them they could ask about this type of thing, and believed themself capable enough to try. We try to do that here, but there is no substitute for someone in person teaching you.
 
This will make more than up for your old age eyesight:


71gNI83Lc4L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
have you used that one? ive been thinking about getting something like that, as much for the light as the lens, but that day is coming before long too
 
jeremy said:
have you used that one? ive been thinking about getting something like that, as much for the light as the lens, but that day is coming before long too
Click to expand...

Yes, I own that specific product and it doesn't have any flaws that I noticed. The exchangeable lenses are very nice. As is the case, I keep all lenses in the case at all times to prevent dust buildup.

Of course it is a Lithium Ion battery, so eventually it might peter out.
 
Wow, that is actually really cool. My close vision isn't bad, but it might be one day, and I could always use another well-functioning headlamp.
 
Sam SG said:
(Unfortunatly my eyes are getting weak and Im now getting a bit affraid of doing certain things like biasing amps inside the chassis and signal tracing.)
Click to expand...
Good time to point out the obvious.
Attach your meter’s ground with a crocodile clip or hook-probe using one hand. Keep the other hand and your body away from the chassis.
Perform tests and adjustments with only one hand holding the meter hot probe, and once again, keep your other hand and body away from the chassis.
Keep your meter’s display where you can see it clearly by raising only the eyes, or somewhere in your peripheral line.

Whatever ocular magnification and extra light you need to see everything clearly, is altogether necessary.
My eyes are terrible. I use 4x reading glasses when soldering now.

Amazing that with the internet being supposedly the thing that would make us all brighter, and skilled - the reverse has happened.
I had a similar friend with a wiggly Tele Jack socket - which drove everyone mad for years.
Literally took 1 minute to fix, and he watched, but then spent the whole night worrying that he might have lost a micro volt of signal in the process!
I subsequently pulled his control-plate, and was flabbergasted to discover reams of resistors in there.
Seems his mate installed a Di-Marzio Super Distortion in the neck position, and had struggled to get it to match the Tele’s bridge pick-up.
I cleaned it all out, routed some more, and simply lowered the pick-up!
 
I finally used mine. I was stacking firewood and got a nasty, deep splinter. I couldn't get it all out. I put on the magnifier and did some expert Exacto surgery that would impress the finest surgeons.
 
Solarflares said:
Good time to point out the obvious.
Attach your meter’s ground with a crocodile clip or hook-probe using one hand. Keep the other hand and your body away from the chassis.
Perform tests and adjustments with only one hand holding the meter hot probe, and once again, keep your other hand and body away from the chassis.
Click to expand...
Always keep on hand in your pocket when fiddling with big electricity
 
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