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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Looking For Suitable Amplifier Repair

By Matthew Allen


If you own an amplifier, both solid state and vacuum tube models will require routine inspections, and occasionally faults attended to. When an amp fails, a lot of players will have to find a suitable amplifier repair. A couple of things should be taken into consideration before you have work carried out on your expensive piece of equipment.

There are various amplifier models and each one will have different modes and functions and will vary greatly in cost. A standard amplifier head will require a separate speaker to project the sound coming from the instrument. The other kind of amp is a combination with an integrated speaker built into the housing and these models are more common for home musicians due to the compact size and the much lower cost.

A valve or tube amp will require a routine check up to keep it working efficiently. Most players will keep a spare valve with them, especially if they are gigging regularly. When you are servicing a tube model, it is important to use the correct tubes, and only let a qualified technician do the work due to the voltages involved. When you have this work done by a professional, any repairs or modifications will be covered by a full guarantee.

Solid state amplifiers will also require a regular inspection and a lot of this can be done by the player in their home. Basic faults can be corrected with relative ease using few tools found in most workshops. If the equipment has developed a more serious fault then it is better to have the work done by a local guitar store or professionally trained electrician.

The spares you will need for repairs and servicing can be purchased online or in high street retailers specializing in guitars and accessories. Used components can sometimes be used for some jobs as long as they are of the correct type and have been tested. Using a recycled item is useful if you are on a tight budget and for fixes such as a damaged speaker cone or badly worn switches.

When you are sourcing and buying spare parts there are a few things to think about beforehand. It is advisable to try and use original spares if they are available and many older amps can still be repaired using factory originals. Due to the fairly high value of vintage amps it is recommended that you have the manufacturer or an authorized amp dealer to do the work.

For amateur amp repairers there are publications available with diagrams and you can also find step by step videos to help with fixing amps. After ensuring that the correct parts have been purchased and the required tools are available you can start on your repair. Always have your electrical work examined by an engineer as many music clubs will need safety documentation for any equipment used inside their venues.

The price of the repairs will vary greatly depending on the model and work required. Costs will range from a few dollars for small repairs to thousands for a major problem. Using an internet company to do the work can sometimes be cheaper but shipping costs will have to be factored in to your budget.




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