Degrading capacitors

teamo · Sea Monkey Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 13

My amp has been sitting unplayed for about 10 years. I read on another forum that if an amp is sitting for too long the caps would degrade and need to be replaced. I have yet to fire it up and will probably do that soon. What would I listen for to indicate this condition or will the amp just not work at all? Thanks

russ@savage · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

If you can get a access to a variac you can probably save your caps. Bring it up slowly over about 2-3 hours, some say longer, I guess it can't hurt.

Structo · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

Electrolytic power supply caps have an average life of 10-15 years.
If it is played regularly they will last the longest.
They have a paste inside that dries out over the years.
Usually the symptom is more 60 Hz hum when they start failing.

I would take it to a tech and have it recapped unless you are experienced in electronics and can do it yourself.

dinog · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:57 am Post subject: When looking for a guitar tech...

Other than local word of mouth and what my own common sense tells me, do any of you folks have any telltale signs to look for to separate the good amp techs from the average? It can be very intimidating trying to find someone to trust. Especially with the obscure nature of the amp I’m talking about. It’s a Monkey Wards 1-12 toob combo that has aged nicely into a smoky sounding little amp. It does however, have a good deal of hum, especially with the 1958 P90 Gibson I play through it. I’m not asking for it to be completely quiet, that’s part of the charm, I would just like to find a tech who has the gentle touch required to maintain an old, cheap, but very cool little amp.

Being a nice guy with a soldering gun and a paperback book on toobs doesn‘t necessarily qualify someone as an amp tech. Neither does owning a TV repair shop. It can be uncomfortable dealing with a person that is highly skilled, but may not have the appropriate experience with guitar amplification, which usually means, like so many general electronics guys, the inability to hear distortion as a good thing. Amps like mine get their sound from what’s wrong with them. I don’t want to re-engineer the little fella.

Sorry for the ramble…
Any advice will be appreciated

dino g

Herb · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

Talk to the local pro players in your area and ask them who they use for their own equipment.
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teamo · Sea Monkey Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 13

I am pretty good with a soldering iron and I could probably handle the cap job myself. What should I replace? All of the caps or just certain types? I haven't fired up the amp because I am afraid that it might damage it to do so. Should I try it out or just be on the safe side and open it up and replace caps? Thanks

owwdatune · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:06 am Post subject:

it rarely hurts to play it safe---but...if it were me....i'd turn it on & see what happens--if nothing seems wrong, then play thru it & see what happens--if there's a problem you'll hear it or smell it .....i never did understand the thought process of fixing something before i knew for sure if it was broke Rolling Eyes

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kldguitar · Newbie Alert Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: china

Before you want take the cap away, you must discharge it first special the power filter cap, Use line to connect cap with Ground severl mint.
Don't change cap unless the sound of amp become bad.