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Post subject: Going to Europe
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:22 pm
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Hey everyone I'm going to France, England, and Germany in a couple months and I need to know if I will be able to use my gear over there and if I need to do anything to ensure that it works.


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Post subject: Re: Going to Europe
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:24 pm
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pigbenis wrote:
Hey everyone I'm going to France, England, and Germany in a couple months and I need to know if I will be able to use my gear over there and if I need to do anything to ensure that it works.


Well.......they use a different voltage system over there.

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:25 pm
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Yeah I know. So I need to know if there is anything I need to know to make my gear work, if it will work.


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:27 pm
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pigbenis wrote:
Yeah I know. So I need to know if there is anything I need to know to make my gear work, if it will work.


I've never been to Europe, but know know for puters, etc.......they use voltage converters and such.......maybe something like that so that you can use your equipment for their voltage.

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:27 pm
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pigbenis wrote:
Yeah I know. So I need to know if there is anything I need to know to make my gear work, if it will work.

You'll probably need some sort of adapters....

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:48 pm
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_co ... requencies

I was stationed with the Air Force in England for 5 years, and having to buy a 'step up' outboard transformer (to convert 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz, at least that was what it was at the time) was a necessity to run American voltage appliances or equipment. Otherwise, POOF! The smell of burnt transformers in the morning sure don't smell like victory.

Most Marshalls (the ones that are 50W or more power rated) usually have a voltage adjustment for exactly this reason-use in different countries. Check your equipment and see if it has this or something similar. Some Blackface/Silverface Fender amps meant for export would usually have a red switch on the back for the same purpose. Those meant for the North American market didn't-and using them in Europe without this feature would be a bad idea, without (again) a outboard transformer. Plus, UK plugs are different than US plugs, and both are different from Continental European ones.

Bottom line: Know Thy Equipment! Otherwise, you could always rent locally rather than schlep an amp all the way over there and back AND have to buy a outboard transformer (one that does NOT have to be installed in the amp, just plugged in) that you might not use again.


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:04 pm
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twangee wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs,_voltages_and_frequencies

I was stationed with the Air Force in England for 5 years, and having to buy a 'step up' outboard transformer (to convert 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz, at least that was what it was at the time) was a necessity to run American voltage appliances or equipment. Otherwise, POOF! The smell of burnt transformers in the morning sure don't smell like victory.

Most Marshalls (the ones that are 50W or more power rated) usually have a voltage adjustment for exactly this reason-use in different countries. Check your equipment and see if it has this or something similar. Some Blackface/Silverface Fender amps meant for export would usually have a red switch on the back for the same purpose. Those meant for the North American market didn't-and using them in Europe without this feature would be a bad idea, without (again) a outboard transformer. Plus, UK plugs are different than US plugs, and both are different from Continental European ones.

Bottom line: Know Thy Equipment! Otherwise, you could always rent locally rather than schlep an amp all the way over there and back AND have to buy a transformer that you might not use again.





Thank you twangee that's exactly what I needed to know. Do you know where I can buy a " 'step up' outboard transformer "? I've searched for them and it looks like they're only available online. Do you know of a store that sells them?


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:18 pm
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Unfortunately, no. When I was in the military, they were available at the Base Exchanges overseas, and basically that was the only place I saw them sold. Otherwise, shopping around online would probably be your best bet. Depending on how much current you will be drawing, do be aware that they can weigh 10-20 pounds each, maybe even more-and unless you can find one that has multiple plug-ins, you'll probably have to buy more than one, one for each item of equipment. Hope this helps!

P.S. Renting amps and equipment over there might be less expensive than the freight costs. Just a thought.


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:29 pm
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pigbenis wrote:
twangee wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs,_voltages_and_frequencies

I was stationed with the Air Force in England for 5 years, and having to buy a 'step up' outboard transformer (to convert 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz, at least that was what it was at the time) was a necessity to run American voltage appliances or equipment. Otherwise, POOF! The smell of burnt transformers in the morning sure don't smell like victory.

Most Marshalls (the ones that are 50W or more power rated) usually have a voltage adjustment for exactly this reason-use in different countries. Check your equipment and see if it has this or something similar. Some Blackface/Silverface Fender amps meant for export would usually have a red switch on the back for the same purpose. Those meant for the North American market didn't-and using them in Europe without this feature would be a bad idea, without (again) a outboard transformer. Plus, UK plugs are different than US plugs, and both are different from Continental European ones.

Bottom line: Know Thy Equipment! Otherwise, you could always rent locally rather than schlep an amp all the way over there and back AND have to buy a transformer that you might not use again.





Thank you twangee that's exactly what I needed to know. Do you know where I can buy a " 'step up' outboard transformer "? I've searched for them and it looks like they're only available online. Do you know of a store that sells them?


I haven't searched in their site, but maybe.......Radio Shack? They seem to have just about anything.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:01 pm
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They shouldn't be too hard to come across, my dad bought his first laptop over in the states and brought it back here. He said the transformer was from a store like radioshack I think. Either way he said it wasn't hard to find.

Enjoy your trip, Germany is a cool country :)

You just going to england btw? Not visiting us Scots up in the north? :p


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:10 pm
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pigbenis wrote:
twangee wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs,_voltages_and_frequencies

I was stationed with the Air Force in England for 5 years, and having to buy a 'step up' outboard transformer (to convert 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz, at least that was what it was at the time) was a necessity to run American voltage appliances or equipment. Otherwise, POOF! The smell of burnt transformers in the morning sure don't smell like victory.

Most Marshalls (the ones that are 50W or more power rated) usually have a voltage adjustment for exactly this reason-use in different countries. Check your equipment and see if it has this or something similar. Some Blackface/Silverface Fender amps meant for export would usually have a red switch on the back for the same purpose. Those meant for the North American market didn't-and using them in Europe without this feature would be a bad idea, without (again) a outboard transformer. Plus, UK plugs are different than US plugs, and both are different from Continental European ones.

Bottom line: Know Thy Equipment! Otherwise, you could always rent locally rather than schlep an amp all the way over there and back AND have to buy a transformer that you might not use again.





Thank you twangee that's exactly what I needed to know. Do you know where I can buy a " 'step up' outboard transformer "? I've searched for them and it looks like they're only available online. Do you know of a store that sells them?


BIG TIME CORRECTION!

I should've said STEP DOWN outboard transformer, NOT STEP UP! To clarify, voltages in Europe/the UK are HIGHER than they are in the US, so you will want a transformer that REDUCES the local current to whatever power your amp requires. I still think that renting equipment when you're there would be much more cost effective, though. And I would definitely consult with those that have toured over there if I was you.

As what was said before, Radio Shack may have what you're looking for. But don't take what I've said as definitive, consult a Electrician! Seriously. You don't want to get fried.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:30 pm
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Thats right Europe is 220 vols at 50 cycles and the the plugs
are bigger. Also it seems that they do not have a lot of outlets
in the hotel rooms. Most places in Europe would make my 380.00
electric bill look cheap and I always thought thats why the rooms
don't have many outlets but that just a guess.

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