Thursday 18 February 2016

Deciding On A Guitar Amp Repair

By Donald Wilson


Valve models and solid state amps will now and again develop faults or require routine inspections or servicing. Guitar players will at some point need to carry out a guitar amp repair. There are however a few things to take into consideration before having this work done on the equipment.

The two types of most commonly used models are a head amplifier or a combo which has built in speakers. The costs and components required will differ depending on which kind of unit is being worked on. The combination models are more common for the amateur musician due to the compact nature and cost.

A tube amp will often need more attention to keep it working efficiently than the solid state models. Vacuum tubes will need changing occasionally and most guitarists will carry spare ones when gigging. This can be done at home or at the venue but it is always advisable to have any work of this kind undertaken by a qualified amp technician to ensure that it is done safely and covered by a guarantee.

If the amp in question is a solid state model, regular servicing is still recommended and some of this can be carried out at home. Simple repairs can be done in very little time with only a few simple tools such as soldering iron and screwdrivers needed. More complex problems may need expert attention and most guitar stores will offer this service.

The parts required for repairs and servicing can either be found online or in high street retailers specializing in guitars and accessories. Pre-owned parts can be utilized for certain jobs as long as they are the correct type and have been tested for safety. This option is most useful if you are on a limited budget and for common fixes such as a torn speaker cone or malfunctioning control switches.

Original parts should always be used if possible, particularly on vintage or valuable amplifiers. Using these factory components ensures that the value is not affected and that they will be of the correct spec. Many manufacturers and registered dealers will still stock items for older models and these should be used when available. The factory is also the better choice for carrying out the work due to their specialist knowledge.

If the work is to be done in the home by the amateur electrician or hobbyist there are many helpful manuals or online advice. As long as the correct parts and tools are used this can be a very cost effective way to carry out a repair. It is advisable to have the work inspected afterwards to ensure it conforms to safety standards required by music venues and clubs.

The expense involved can differ massively depending on the items needed and time taken to complete the task. A repair can be done from just a few dollars or running into thousands, so it is a good idea to shop around and get a few different prices. If you are thinking about sending your equipment away for repair, remember that the shipping cost and insurance will be an extra charge.




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