Amp maintenance

[Truktek2]

Do amps need preventive maintenance? I have a Hartke ha-3500 which is a hybrid amp with a pre-amp tube. Do I have to do anything to it? or is it one of those "if it aint broke, don't fix it". Just wondering.

[dbase]

Thats a good question... I have a feeling that most of us here dont keep an amp long enough to experience a breakdown. Myself, I'm on my third amp in 4 years. Always looking for that "special sound" or just a hobby buying new amps, cabs or basses.

[Hobobob]

Preamp tubes are pretty low maintenance until they need to be flat out replaced. I'm not too familiar with Hartke amps, but I'd be more concerned with keeping the power amp cool. If the amp has a fan, make sure it keeps running up to speed. Keep the dust from clogging it up, and you should be fine.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Do clean Your amps every once and a while. NOT for the faint at heart.

Regards
Sam

[BurningSkies]

The 3500 is pretty maintenance free. I've had one since about 93 and beyond changing the tube by choice, it's needed nothing. You could vacuum it out from time to time if you feel it needs it, but mine hasn't gotten anywhere near that dirty inside.

[RadioactiveGuy4]

Preamp tubes will last along time but it is good to take a look at it to make sure its looking good ( you want the top of your tubes to be silver.) If you see black white or clear tops then its time for new tubes.

[WalterBush]

If the amp starts sounding a little off after a while, replace the tube. Otherwise, just clean it out with some dust-off every now and then.

If you're really militant, you can check to make sure ribbon cables and other connectors are secure internally (observe safety rules for high voltage electricity, please), pull the knobs off and tighten down the pots, makes sure no chassis screws are vibrating loose...but really, none of that stuff should come up for years and years.

[dincz]

Originally Posted by Truktek2

Do amps need preventive maintenance? I have a Hartke ha-3500 which is a hybrid amp with a pre-amp tube. Do I have to do anything to it? or is it one of those "if it aint broke, don't fix it". Just wondering.

Just to be safe, I'd recommend changing the preamp tube every twenty years or so.

[okcrum]

Any amp with a fan should be vacuumed out once a year or so. The buildup on the internal parts will make them run hotter, and if you're in a humid environment, it will also absorb moisture like crazy, and be another kind of potential problem.

1" of dog/drunk/cougar hair on the heatsinks is bad (seen this before). Amp was cutting out from thermal protection.

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by okcrum

Any amp with a fan should be vacuumed out once a year or so. The buildup on the internal parts will make them run hotter, and if you're in a humid environment, it will also absorb moisture like crazy, and be another kind of potential problem.

+1

I usually take the chassis out of my Trace Elliot combo once a year, place it on the yard and give it a good blow out with an airline (normally used for tyre inflation), but a vacuum cleaner works just as well if not quite so impressive.

I also give the speaker ports their annual dusting and blow the dust out of my cooling fan.

[Truktek2]

All great info everyone. Which leads me to my next question. How hard is it to change a preamp tube? How do i know whicj one I need?

[disp]

Like a light bulb but no twisting. Plug and play. This amp should have a stabilizer arm you remove with a screw driver.

Any 12ax7 will do.