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Post subject: Repairing my Own Amp.. I want to learn how to do it !
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:55 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Well I have no issues doing my own guitar repairs so why can't do my own amp repairs ? Is it that much more difficult ? My last amp repair set me back $200 and it took 2 months. Honestly, I wasn't too happy about that experience...

Does anyone know of any books that would be a good reference to start repairing amps on our own ? How about this one ?

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Gu ... 0793534909

Any classes ?

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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:49 pm
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Hi Cajun, that book is a good introduction to amp repair. Art

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:28 am
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aclempoppi wrote:
Hi Cajun, that book is a good introduction to amp repair. Art


Thanks... It seems this amp repair is not a hot topic here...

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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:41 pm
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G'day mate,

I have that book and it is handy, while not an in-depth repair manual it does cover basic troubleshooting and has an extensive troubleshooting chart that will help you pin-point where the problem may be.

As far as actually fixing the problems, the book covers basics such as capacitor replacement and a detailed step-through of bias set-up and also explanations of how tube amps and biasing work.

There's also a Guitar Electronics chapter and guitar maintenance chapter.

In short, overall it is worth getting hold of the book, especially as an introduction to your own repairs. It will get you started down the right path.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

Snowy.


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Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:48 pm
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Amps are about 100 times more complicated than guitars to repair but often when you have the experience and the problems tend to be reoccurring.
Intermittent solder joints, blown output/tubes/diodes/caps/resistors and scratchy pots.

The most important thing you need to learn and read up on is safety! As mains voltages are exposed inside the amp and especially on tube amps you can get electrocuted even with the amp off and unplugged.

You also need a multimeter and a soldering iron and a few spare sets of different tube types helps on tube amp. That is enough to get you started and repairing by checking voltages and swap testing.

But to do audio repairs 'properly' an Oscilloscope, an audio generator, some dummy loads, spare speakers, a decade box, a Variac, a variable DC power supply and an assortment of other electronics paraphernalia are required.

If you are taking an amp to be repaired and cannot see the workshop with all this gear in it they are probably sending it off to someone else to repair (perhaps with the exception of an oscillosope).


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Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:25 am
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Hey Cajun, I'd read that book a few times, and if you still got the bug to work on amps, then get another. That's how I got started. And I've only caused a cloud of smoke once, luckily it was one of my amps. But seriously, I started with the "Naval Basic Electronics Manual", and dogearred plenty books since then, including the one you've mentioned. Now we have the internet to use. Equipment investment will become more evident to you, as you expand your knowledge. Good Luck ! Art

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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:34 am
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Started with the Basic Electronics Manual is a good start before going further into Amp Repair Manual.


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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:44 am
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The venerable "RCA Receiving Tube Manual" likewise has a detailed section that deals with various tube circuits and their theories of operation. Some are dedicated radio applications but other common uses for audio gear are presented and explained.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 1:15 pm
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You have a good book.

You'll like 3 books write by Geral Weber. Here one.

http://www.amazon.com/Tube-Guitar-Ampli ... 0964106027


Don't forget you must know what you are doing in tubes amps. There are lethal voltage even the amp is disconnect. You can die.


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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 7:28 pm
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Zull Ar, Welcome to the forum ! Art

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