Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Finding A Technician For Amp Repair

By Gary Nelson


If you play guitar, you may own one or more tube or transistor amplifiers and these will require servicing and faults attending to when they develop. When your equipment needs attention, you will need to look for a reliable amp repair. There are some important things for you to consider before having work carried out on your gear.

There are a lot of models of amp and every one will perform differently and have various modes. A stand alone head will need a separate cab containing the speakers and they are usually used by the professionals. A combo amp is extremely popular with amateur players and bedroom guitarists and they have a built in set of speakers.

A vacuum tube amp is a very complex piece of musical equipment and will require more maintenance than the transistor amps. Spare tubes are usually carried by a gigging guitarist and from time to time they will need replacing when they begin to fade out. Any major work that is required on a vacuum tube amp should be carried out by a professional electrician to avoid damaging it.

If your amp is a transistor model, an annual service is highly recommended to keep it in good order. Some small problems can be fixed in the home using a few rudimentary tools that you will have in your workshop. Major faults will always need to be rectified by an amp engineer and most high street guitar shops can offer a reasonably priced repair service.

If you want to do your own maintenance, you will have to find the correct spares and these can be found and purchased from web based retailers or guitar stores. Always make sure that the parts are correct for your model of amplifier and covered by a warranty. It can save you a little money by using reconditioned parts such as speakers and control pots as long as they have been inspected for safe operation.

When you purchase components for fixing your amplifier it is recommended that you try and source factory items if possible. Most of the amplifier manufacturers will carry a selection of replacement parts for modern and vintage amps. If your amplifier is an older model, or very valuable, it is essential that you have a qualified engineer to do the repairs.

If you are an amateur electrician there are some useful books with diagrams and video guides to help with your repairs. After ensuring that you have the spares, and tools needed to do the work, you can begin the repairs. It is advisable to have your electrical work checked by a professional when you have finished make sure the amplifier will work safely.

The costs involved when having an amplifier fixed will depend on the type of amp, the nature of the fault and the time taken to fix it. Small problems such as a replacement switch or solder break will cost just a few dollars. Major faults and rebuilding work will cost more and take longer to complete.




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