Sunday 1 May 2016

Searching For Professional Guitar Amp Repair

By Henry Ward


If you own a guitar amplifier, both transistor and tube models will need routine health checks, and occasionally faults will have to be repaired. Many players will at some point need to find a suitable guitar amp repair. A few things should be taken into consideration before you have any work carried out on your expensive equipment.

There are many different amp models and each will have different functions and vary greatly in cost. A standard amp head unit will require a separate speaker to enable the sound to be heard. The other kind of amplifier is a combo with integrated speakers built into the housing and these are more commonly used by home musicians due to their compact size and lower price tag.

A tube amp will need a little more maintenance than a solid state model. Spare vacuum tubes are often carried by a gigging musician and they will need to be replaced if they are not functioning properly. Any work that is done on these amplifiers should be carried out by a trained technician due to the voltage that runs through them and to make sure the work is guaranteed.

If the amp is a solid state model, a regular service is still highly recommended and some of the little jobs can be carried out in the home. Small repairs can be done with only a few basic tools such as a soldering iron and the correct type of screw driver. More complex faults will usually need the attention of an amp technician and most musical instrument stores will offer a reliable repair service.

The spares required for your repairs and servicing can be found on the net or in local high street retailers specializing in electric guitars. Used components can be useful for some work as long as they are of the correct specification and have been properly tested. Using recycled items is useful if you are on a budget and for fixes such as a damaged speaker or badly worn control pot.

Factory original parts should be used when possible on vintage or valuable amplifiers. Using manufacturer made parts will ensure that the value maintained and that they will be the same as the ones fitted originally. Many authorized stores and amplifier manufacturers will carry original parts for vintage models and these should always be used when they are available.

For the amateur amp repairer there are publications now available with diagrams and step by step videos can be purchased. After ensuring that the correct spares have been purchased and the appropriate tools are available you can start on your repairs. Always have your work examined by an engineer as many clubs will need certificates for any equipment used at their venues.

The price of a repair will vary greatly depending on the make, model and work needed. Cost will range from a few dollars for a simple job to many thousands for a serious and major problem. Using an online company to do the repairs can sometimes work out cheaper but the shipping costs may have to be factored in to your total budget.




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