Dropzone Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I have a GK2001 RB and I am not as confident as I would like to be as protection has been tripping. So, my question is, do you get your amp serviced and if so (and you are on the south coast) where. Many thanks in advance. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Depends where you store it. I opened up my old Trace because it was giving me issues. Found a huge dead spider and lots of cobwebs. Might be worth a punt before you spend out. Usually caveats when dealing with electricity apply. Unplug etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Please don't underestimate my incompetence and also willingness to try and "fix" things way beyond my ability. I would rather shell out and have someone trustworthy tell me the truth than just have me poke around with a vacuum cleaner ;-) Ta Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 It's one of my gear embarassments that I still haven't had my Trace combo serviced since I got it (secondhand) about 12 years ago. Between gigs it gets stored in a cupboard under the stairs so maybe it's actually all being held together with spiderwebs inside these days. I don't carry a back up amp either, in a real emergency I could probably DI through our PA at a pinch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's what I had to do at the weekend. I found a really useful thread about amp service centres. Also found that there is something called switch cleaner that may solve some of my issues as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Amps aren't really serviceable in the way things with moving parts are. There are parts which are more likely to fail than others but nothing that can be serviced, unless you are using a valve amp where valves can be replaced and quiescent currents re-set possibly. If you are dealing with a vintage valve amp then we know that the capacitors fail over time so a 're-cap' can be a good idea but that is more re-build than service. The idea of servicing a solid state amp that is working perfectly is a nonsense, equally if you know it is playing up then you need to have the fault identified and the part replaced before you dream of gigging with it. I wouldn't even use switch cleaner on something working as you could disturb a bit of dirt which would create a problem as a worse case. If it is crackling and you can find the bit that is doing it then it's a minimal risk DIY job, so try a bit of contact cleaner if you are happy to give it a go. Here's the thing Everything works perfectly................don't fix it Something is wrong...........................fix it I hate the idea that non technical people shell out decent money to a tech who should be straight with them. Edited September 21, 2015 by Phil Starr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 [quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1442847040' post='2869948']I wouldn't even use switch cleaner on something working as you could disturb a bit of dirt which would create a problem as a worse case.[/quote] It's also an excellent conductor so if it conducted somewhere it shouldn't it might not end well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 [quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1442847040' post='2869948'] Here's the thing Everything works perfectly................don't fix it Something is wrong...........................fix it [/quote] That was pretty much my reasoning in this case. My idleness is vindicated - huzzah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Never. Repairs, yes. Service, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I have my GK amp serviced annually. Fan cleaned out, any connections checked/tightened etc and a general once over and bench test. Returned to me with PAT certificate which many venues insist on. Never had it miss a beat yet. Costs around £20, so 40p a week is my risk - not much for peace of mind? Of course it may go on for years without this, but for me I see no reason to take any chances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 [quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1442847040' post='2869948'] Everything works perfectly................don't fix it Something is wrong...........................fix it [/quote] +1 Isn't this the only logical thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Gonna buy some switch cleaner. That must be a good start. Anyone know if you have to take the nobs off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 [quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1442934844' post='2870719'] Gonna buy some switch cleaner. That must be a good start. Anyone know if you have to take the nobs off? [/quote] Nope. Just open the case and spray them from the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 [u]OPEN THE CASE!!!!! - Madness I tell you!!!![/u] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 OK I re read your post If it's broke .... fix it seems to be what applies here. If it is tripping then there is a fault, and it will go wrong at the most inconvenient time. This is possibly a power supply or earthing fault so safety may be involved. Switch cleaner isn't going to do it, that is for poor contacts and cutting out not the protection tripping. It could be almost anything including spiders inside the amp but you need it checked out by someone competent. Forgive me but I don't think that's a DIY job for you. Sorry if my first post put you off, I should have read your post more carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 It depends what is meant by tripping. If the cooling fan or heatsink is obstructed by fluff and spiders webs, as mine was, application of the Hoover saves quite a few quid. Earlier suggestions that there are no mechanical parts to service are slightly misleading. Loose connections are sometimes obvious as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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