What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
- Thread starter mrid
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
I've thought about that a few times. Guitar amps today are a maze of small components on boards that are often in levels, so you have to disassemble everything to do a cap job. Most good PCB tube amps nowadays are fairly simple to open up and service...sometimes even easier than point to point, because the trannies on new ones often have plugs not solder.
I'm not so worried about servicing tube amps. I'm more concerned with all the digital and IC chips in audio gear, homestudios, and digital effects. I'm assuming that when those break down in a few years, they'll be like old radios - you just throw them away. That really sucks because so much of this equipment is really expensive stuff. When your CD Burner goes, and repairing it cost as much as a new one, you'll be throwing away quality items.
Same with all the digital effects processors that are over $1000. Eventually, one IC chip will go bad, in the middle of the maze, and the unit will be junk.
I've thought about that a few times. Guitar amps today are a maze of small components on boards that are often in levels, so you have to disassemble everything to do a cap job. Most good PCB tube amps nowadays are fairly simple to open up and service...sometimes even easier than point to point, because the trannies on new ones often have plugs not solder.
I'm not so worried about servicing tube amps. I'm more concerned with all the digital and IC chips in audio gear, homestudios, and digital effects. I'm assuming that when those break down in a few years, they'll be like old radios - you just throw them away. That really sucks because so much of this equipment is really expensive stuff. When your CD Burner goes, and repairing it cost as much as a new one, you'll be throwing away quality items.
Same with all the digital effects processors that are over $1000. Eventually, one IC chip will go bad, in the middle of the maze, and the unit will be junk.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
Nah they won't.
Is anyone paying big bucks for vintage computers??
Nope :laugh2:
Nah they won't.
Is anyone paying big bucks for vintage computers??
Nope :laugh2:
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
But what about old Atari's and Calicovision sets? They're becoming collectors items now.
Could you imagine dumping all that $$$$ on a Line 6 amp, only to have to throw it away (or sell it for pennies)? Meanwhile, the guy who bought the used, beat to sh*t JCM 800 will be laughing all the way to the bank.
But what about old Atari's and Calicovision sets? They're becoming collectors items now.
Could you imagine dumping all that $$$$ on a Line 6 amp, only to have to throw it away (or sell it for pennies)? Meanwhile, the guy who bought the used, beat to sh*t JCM 800 will be laughing all the way to the bank.
F
Falstaff
Guest
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
Come to think of it...when was the last time a TV repairman came to your house?
Or anybody's house, for that matter!
Come to think of it...when was the last time a TV repairman came to your house?
Or anybody's house, for that matter!Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
Hey now! I've "used up" a TV before! :laugh2: People just send 'em to the junkjard when they go on the fritz. I wouldn't touch a cathode-ray tube with a 10 foot pole...even if it was supposedly discharged. :burnout:
Falstaff said:Come to think of it...when was the last time a TV repairman came to your house?
Hey now! I've "used up" a TV before! :laugh2: People just send 'em to the junkjard when they go on the fritz. I wouldn't touch a cathode-ray tube with a 10 foot pole...even if it was supposedly discharged. :burnout:
garublador
New member
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
Vintage computers that are the same age as expensive vintage guitars and amps are also the size of a large room and most, if not all of them have been disassembled.
Rid said:
Vintage computers that are the same age as expensive vintage guitars and amps are also the size of a large room and most, if not all of them have been disassembled.
Jonny R
Volcano Fireologist
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
I have a 65 RI Twin Reverb
I figure the PCB circuits in these are reasonably simple. I agree with Gearjoneser that the chip based amps are more of an issue.
If all else fails you can always remove the PCBs and rebuild the amp using parts of some of the hand-wiring kits that are out there.
I have a 65 RI Twin Reverb
I figure the PCB circuits in these are reasonably simple. I agree with Gearjoneser that the chip based amps are more of an issue.
If all else fails you can always remove the PCBs and rebuild the amp using parts of some of the hand-wiring kits that are out there.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
With the exception of new boutique and high end amps (the Triamp, ENGL SE, Bogner, Hiwatt, Tophat, Badcat, Demeter etc...) I find that to be true.
If you guys think your DSL combos will last in the future, I think you're sadly mistaken. I forsee problems with major brand stuff, whether it's an established brand like Fender or Marshall or relatively newer like Mesa.
Guitar amps are becoming just like cars today. Unserviceable. Cars used to last a long time and it was easy enough to do some things yourself. Now everything is done with special machinery and electronics. New cars, you're lucky if you get 10 years out of them. Our amps are being made of crappier materials and because they are so mass produced, the quality suffers. When was the last time you saw a new car with real chrome?
lastwinj said:
With the exception of new boutique and high end amps (the Triamp, ENGL SE, Bogner, Hiwatt, Tophat, Badcat, Demeter etc...) I find that to be true.
If you guys think your DSL combos will last in the future, I think you're sadly mistaken. I forsee problems with major brand stuff, whether it's an established brand like Fender or Marshall or relatively newer like Mesa.
Guitar amps are becoming just like cars today. Unserviceable. Cars used to last a long time and it was easy enough to do some things yourself. Now everything is done with special machinery and electronics. New cars, you're lucky if you get 10 years out of them. Our amps are being made of crappier materials and because they are so mass produced, the quality suffers. When was the last time you saw a new car with real chrome?
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: What does the future hold for today's PCB amps?
Have you seen the inside of a new Mesa? There's a reason they cost so damn much. The PCB is military grade and you can see everything as it's not barried under multiple layers of boards. That, and mine was hand assembled, as I think most Mesas still are.
the_Chris said:
Have you seen the inside of a new Mesa? There's a reason they cost so damn much. The PCB is military grade and you can see everything as it's not barried under multiple layers of boards. That, and mine was hand assembled, as I think most Mesas still are.
