Amp longevity = use or dont use ??

[srj]

I was wondering what is best for the longevity of an amp.

Is it better to use the amp on a regular basis , or only use it only when ya have to,, i.e. use a smaller practice amp on a regular basis and use ur main rig sparingly.

Do electronic components benefit from being used , or do they wear out with use ?

[JimmyM]

i don't think it makes a difference. what makes the difference is how you handle it while you're moving it. however, amps that sit around do have a tendency to build up corrosion that results in crackly sounds and what not.

[srj]

Thanks jimmy , ur saying the most important thing is being careful when transporting/moving an amp . Thanks i will keep that in mind.

[Stumbo]

What your definition of "longevity"? 3 years, 10, 50?

IME, Just like anything else, keeping an amp in your house with more even temps will probably keep it lasting longer than keeping it out in the garage (or anywhere else).

I have amps that are 40 to 50 years old (tube/ss). The ones that have the most problems have been the ones that have gigged the most.

+1 for Jimmy's post.

If you carry an amp in your trunk, I suggest that some foam be placed underneath to keep it from bouncing around. I try to put my amps on a seat in the car. The more you protect it, the less internal problems you will have.

[Jim C]

I was once told that it is better to turn on an old amp occasionaly rather than let it sit although I have some that haven't been turned on for years (both tube and SS) at a whack and continue to work fine. Believe it had to do with capacitors.

[JimmyM]

well my feeling is use it until it breaks and don't worry about longetivity so much. all amps will break one day.

[adamrobertt]

What's the point of having an amp if you aren't going to use it? Life's too short to agonize over ridiculous minutiae like this.

Would you buy a car and then never drive it so it lasts longer? That's kind of contradictory, isn't it? Why even own it then?

[srj]

my definition of longevity is trying to keep the amp working for as long as possible. Which might have been a better thread now that i think of it !

I guess i have kind of asked that in whether is better to use the amp regularly or use it only when ya have to.

But i'm gettin lots of good advice here in this thread any way !

[BassmanPaul]

I have often found that if you don't use an amp an a regular basis when you do use it the pots are noisy and other little glitches appear.

Paul

[srj]

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

What's the point of having an amp if you aren't going to use it? Life's too short to agonize over ridiculous minutiae like this.

Would you buy a car and then never drive it so it lasts longer? That's kind of contradictory, isn't it? Why even own it then?

Good point , and i agree , to a point , but there are times when i could use a practice amp more than my bigger amp.

[BassmanPaul]

When practising I don't really care how my bass sounds within reason. In a damp cottage in the Emerald Isles you should be able to turn the amp up, or is the Colleen giving you grief??

Paul

[johnk_10]

i believe that an amp will last the longest if it is used regularly (at least every 6 months turn it on), mostly to keep the capacitors from drying out from sitting without being charged.

and, i would recommend keeping an amp in the same environment that you live in (i.e indoors) so that the speakers won't dry out from heat (sitting in the sun), or the chassis rust/oxidize from moisture (like some people's amps that are kept in the garage).

2 cents........

[nysbob]

I own 6 amps. Every amp I own is at least 30 years old. Some are pushing 40 - 45.

Some get gigged regularly, some only see current a few times a year. None of them are abused though, and they all seem to be hanging in there pretty well.

[Walking]

Electrolytic caps will age, and there is some thought that using them occasionally will 'form them up' and extend their life. Folks who work on antique radios will slowly raise the voltage with a variac transformer to form up the caps.

My own feeling is that if an electrolytic is over 20 years old it should be replaced just on principle. If there is less than 20 years on the caps, then I don't think any sort of power on schedule is needed. IMHO anyway.

[johnk_10]

i have a few old tube amps from the 50's that have their original caps still in them and they're running perfectly. i do not replace caps in vintage amps unless the originals are not operating properly. alot of techs say that caps have a useable life span of 15-20 years, but after repairing/restoring amps for 35+ years, i am not one of those that subscribe to that.

[nysbob]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i have a few old tube amps from the 50's that have their original caps still in them and they're running perfectly. i do not replace caps in vintage amps unless the originals are not operating properly. alot of techs say that caps have a useable life span of 15-20 years, but after repairing/restoring amps for 35+ years, i am not one of those that subscribe to that.

The guy that I go to for tech says the same thing.

me - "those are the original caps...shouldn't they be replaced?"

him - "show me what's wrong with them...are you hearing a problem?"

[JimmyM]

i had the original caps in my 73 super replaced a couple years ago. they had started to leak and the amp crackled. if it ain't broke, don't fix it. people waste so much money trying to prevent tube amps from breaking down. it's ridiculous.

[B-string]

Electrolytic caps do have a shelf life 5 to 10 years. Power them up every 6 mo to a year and they will stay healthy. I have reformed caps (non-leaking or shorted ones) that were almost 50 years old. It is more involved than just using a variac. If the time it takes reduce the (DC) leakage takes to long, best to trash them. If the cap is 100 years old and not powdering or shorted, why toss a good component?

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i believe that an amp will last the longest if it is used regularly (at least every 6 months turn it on), mostly to keep the capacitors from drying out from sitting without being charged.

and, i would recommend keeping an amp in the same environment that you live in (i.e indoors) so that the speakers won't dry out from heat (sitting in the sun), or the chassis rust/oxidize from moisture (like some people's amps that are kept in the garage).

2 cents........

How you keep it when you aren't using it can be as important as how you use it/transport it. I don't abuse my gear but I do use it vigorously and rarely have problems. Also address issues when you first notice them... don't wait for them to go critical mass.

[pasta4lnch]

I gotta tell you I used to be scared to use some gear (especially gig w/ it) because I was afraid of something happening to it. one day I just threw caution to the wind and realized what a stupid thing that was. gear is meant to be used - even a gagillion dollar custom god bass made from baby seal skin. enjoy it! worry later . . .