Sunday 1 May 2016

Finding A Firm For 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.

The two types of amp are head units and combos which have one or more built in speakers. The parts needed for this equipment will depend on what kind of unit is being fixed and in some cases the age if it is a vintage model. The combo amps are popular with amateur musicians or bedroom players due to their compact design and fairly low purchase price.

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 costs of repairs will differ depending on what components are needed and the time it takes to complete the job. From a few dollars a simple problem can be fixed but a serious fault will cost a lot more. If you have to send your equipment away, remember that the courier costs and transit insurance will need to be added on to your bill.




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