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Saturday, April 9, 2016

Looking For A Guitar Amp Repair

By Laura Wallace


If you are an electric guitarist and using an amp it will need regular maintenance, servicing and often small problems attended too. From time to time some musicians will be looking for a guitar amp repair. There are a few things you should consider before having the work done.

The most popular types of amps are a head units or a combo which has built in speakers. The costs and components needed for this equipment will depend on what kind of unit is being worked on and sometimes the age of it. The combination amplifiers are more popular with amateurs or home guitarists due to their compact design and lower cost.

A vacuum tube amplifier will probably need more maintenance than a transistor model. Spare tubes are often carried by gigging musicians and will need to be replaced if they are not performing properly. Any work that you have done on these amps should be carried out by a technician due to the voltage and to ensure the work is guaranteed.

A solid state model is easier to work on and maintain in the home or by the amateur technician. A simple fault can be fixed using everyday tools and does not take a lot of time. If the problem or component failure is more serious then it is preferable to have the job done by an expert and many musical instrument retailers will offer this type of service.

The components that will be needed to repair your amp can either be found on the web or in your local instrument store. When you are buying electrical components you should make sure that they are covered by a warranty and that they have passed quality control. Second hand items can be utilized and in the case of a speaker for a combo this can be a cheaper way to carry out a repair.

Factory made parts should always be used when possible particularly on vintage or valuable amplifiers. Using manufacturer components will ensure that the value is not affected and that they will be the same as the ones fitted when new. Many makers and authorized stores will carry old parts for vintage models and these should be used. The amp builders are also the better choice for carrying out the repairs due to their specialist knowledge on models they have made.

A lot of books and tutorials can be found to help the amateur repairer to carry out a fix. It is important to make sure that you have the right parts and tools when doing a repair at home and that all safety procedures are adhered to. After the work has been done the amplifier should be tested by an engineer as many live music venues will require the amp to have certified paperwork for insurance purposes.

The cost you will incur will differ hugely depending on what items are needed and time taken to complete the repairs. From just a few dollars a small fault can be fixed but a severe problem will cost a lot more. If you have to send your equipment away for repair, remember that the shipping costs and insurance will be added on to your final bill.




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