Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Broken Amp!

Posted by: bleak Oct 28 2009, 04:14 PM

I borrowed my friends practice amp, its one of these - http://www.musicpromusic.com/boutique/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/c69a0ee2ad2373d0beb84474f6814045.jpg

I just borrowed it because I needed to travel a few hours away and just wanted a small amp. But on returning home there is a problem with the clean channel, its stuck on about half volume and wont change no matter where I turn the knob. Must of been rattled about in the boot of my car so something has probably just come loose inside... Do you think I could take it apart and fix it? I rang some shop that fixes amps and he cant do it for a week and my mate wants his amp back!
Fix or wait?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 28 2009, 05:23 PM

Who knows what could be the problem. I don't suggest you fix it yourself, unless you know exactly what you are doing. You could risk with a bigger problem than fixing it in the end. I suggest you tell your friend everything, he will understand that it was not your fault (you didn't do it intentionally ofc!). Then wait for the amp tech and fix the amp.

EDIT: BTW these little Fender amps got poor reviews on their reliability, so they are prone to problems. Next time handle it with extreme care.

QUOTE (VictorUK @ Oct 28 2009, 04:56 PM)

Check the tubes see of there in properly and check for any damage to the tubes.

It's not a tube amp

Posted by: bleak Oct 28 2009, 05:46 PM

haha yeah I suppose I will probably just break it even more.. wait for the expert is a good plan i think..

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 28 2009, 06:06 PM

My guess it is nothing too serious if all the knobs are functional and only the volume pot is giving you problems. Just be patient, and be honest to your friend. As I said, this amp is not exactly the most reliable amp ever, but next time try to put it more securely in the car, cause I've read some reviews about Frontmans being a bit unreliable.

Best of luck with the repair, tell is how it went!

Posted by: bleak Oct 28 2009, 06:32 PM

cheers mate

Posted by: Sensible Jones Oct 28 2009, 06:44 PM

It might be that the vibration of being in the boot of the car has damaged the volume Pot, as Ivan says these models aren't particularly robust!!! Hopefully it may just need a new one soldering in there and that's it!!!

Posted by: MickeM Oct 28 2009, 09:00 PM

If you can fix it, why not.
If you can't, then don't.

Posted by: sted Oct 29 2009, 12:34 PM

Unless you are competent electrician you should NEVER touch electrical appliances of any nature, our company actually had a fatality from only 230v so anything can kill you!

Posted by: -Zion- Oct 29 2009, 11:32 PM

actually an amp is a very bad thing to try and mess with as it can actually KILL you..

and no.. this is no joke..

So, do not touch it unless you know exactly what you are doing..

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Oct 30 2009, 10:49 PM

I think you should tell your friend what happened and to cover the charge of fix by a technician. You could only damage amp more if you don't know what your are doing...Bad luck it happened, but I hope it will be an easy and cheap fix.