What do you guys do to service your amps?

Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

I'm assuming that you mean tube amps. For solid state amps there is very little you can do. Keep them clean and dry. Dust tends to accumulate inside amps. Dust, pet hair, and stuff causes cooling issues. Get a can of compressed air and blow it out. Make sure the cord isn't frayed. Now for tube amps, make sure the tubes don't have unusual corrosion or discoloration. Depending how much you play, they last a fairly long time. Some guys change them too frequently. A tube tester is nice to have for checking tubes. Otherwise, you should have a qualified tech do biasing and things like that. If you hear noises like pops or growling, it's time for a check up.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

Cleaning jacks is a good practice Deoxit works as good as anything. Cleaning pots is a little more work but will save a trip to the tech for noise.What Mojosman said about tubes is good advice , you don't need to change them unless you have sound issues.Changing tubes just because it is time someone says(usually a greedy tech) only costs you money you don't have to spare.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

My bassist has been doing amp repair for decades so I just leave them at his house until they work again.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

I tend to dust off my EHX 44Magnum once a year.

Back in time when I had tube amps and better spine my amps were serviced by Hackman Amps, a one-man amp company. Back in time Mr Hack worked on the project that you know by the name of Diezel VH4S. These days he is making the custom amps for Matthias Jabs of Scorpions. We haven't talked for a while. The Magnum needs no maintenance.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

NecroPolo: Your posts make me want to be your roadie. If you're ever in Atlanta, I will let you use my model T and a cab for the show but I will require free beer.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

Inder_Cine_Mann check this one out:

https://www.orangeamps.com/products/accessories/amplifier-management/divo-ov4/

This clever unit is supposed to keep your tube amp fine tuned all the time. I haven't tried it but I saw a demonstration at Music Messe in March. It was super impressive. Once the amp is optimally balanced all the time you only have to worry about changing tubes. Of course apart from component failures.


Empty Pockets said:
NecroPolo: Your posts make me want to be your roadie. If you're ever in Atlanta, I will let you use my model T and a cab for the show but I will require free beer.
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Sure man. We will load your T with packs of beer and go cruisin' as the whole rig of mine fits in a suitcase, it doesn't need so much space. We can even go cycling with a bagpack. Carrying the geetar is a bigger issue. Maybe I get a Chiquita one day.


crusty philtrum said:
I'd imagine that threatening to shoot your amp would probably get it to behave properly.

I live in a non-gun-culture, so i threaten mine with a hot soldering iron.
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Same here in East Europe too, I can wave my mean named Electro-Harmonix micro amp only when I'm in the need of threatening my gear. In this f'n joke country of mine even policemen have to warn you 3 times, shoot to the air 2 times before making an aimed shot or something like that. It takes 20 seconds at least. Ridiculous. The only thing that resembles of a gun in my house is my scuba dart gun, the ancient pump version from pre-James Bond times. It would be a fun to have a duel with that BTW. Imagine: statement is made, opponents go in position - then they start pumping air into the dart gun. If an opponent stops early he just pokes the other with a weak shot. If he pumps enough air to rip through a whale he may be hit by multiple weak pokes and just bleed out before time. It would add a little strategy touch to shooting at each other.
 
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Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

I recommend to all high school age guitar players to take advantage of any free afternoon trade school programs that teach electronics and auto repair. Those skills will save you thousands over your lifetime.

I usually do as much as I can in those fields, and when something is obviously past my skill level, I take it to an expert.

As for amps - owning a bias tool, volt/ohm meter, and knowing how to swap components, is something every guitar player should take seriously. Heck...volt meters are free at Harbor Freight every time they have a sale. You can buy a mA bias tool on Ebay for about $20.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

NecroPolo said:
Inder_Cine_Mann check this one out:

https://www.orangeamps.com/products/accessories/amplifier-management/divo-ov4/

This clever unit is supposed to keep your tube amp fine tuned all the time. I haven't tried it but I saw a demonstration at Music Messe in March. It was super impressive. Once the amp is optimally balanced all the time you only have to worry about changing tubes. Of course apart from component failures.
Click to expand...

I have one on my Bogner and really like it. It works as advertised. It's pretty sweet to be able to change the bias by simply hooking up the interface to your PC. I got it because Shivas are known for bias drift and this thing constantly is adjusting the bias, thus making the tone consistent. I have yet to try different tubes than the 6L6s my amp is set for, but will hopefully soon. My only complaint is that it somehow bypasses the Standby setting, but that's no biggie for me. Just let it warm up properly like the old non-Standby amps.
 
Re: What do you guys do to service your amps?

First I get down on my knees and then I...

Oh wait, I don't think you mean what I think you mean.
 
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