"Burning in" a New Amp...?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 03-23-2010, 07:10 PM

Well, my Carvin bx1500 arrived today. I'm very much looking forward to giving her the once over.

A while back someone said that its a good idea to "burn in" the electronics of a new amp so that its less likely to have problems.

How exactly do I do this? I assume I leave it on for an extended time.

1. How long do I leave it on for?

2. How loud should it be? Can I just feed it a signal but keep the volume at zero? Obviously my wife will be none to pleased if I keep the amp on with even moderate volume for 48hrs etc

seamonkey · #2 03-23-2010, 07:23 PM

No Burn in is needed but Beat the **** while it's still under 14day trial and warranty period.
If something is going to go wrong it's going to be within the first little bit of time you have the amp.

lbwdog · #3 03-23-2010, 07:32 PM

None of this is necessary whatsoever........ If there is any subtle benefit, it will happen with normal use.

Nothing will make it less likely for problems, but hopefully, if any do manifest themselves, it will be done in the first hours of use. How many hours? I don't know. Maybe two...maybe two hundred.

Years ago, whenever I would go to an electronics store to purchase a (CRT) TV, I would choose one of the display models rather than one in the box. The logic being that if it had been playing day after day in the store, any problem would hopefully have shown itself.

RickenBoogie · #4 03-23-2010, 07:35 PM

+1 just rock out.

johnk_10 · #5 03-23-2010, 07:39 PM

burning in a solid state or a hibyrid amp is unnecessary, but i do 'burn in' tube amps after i build them. i do it to 'form' the filter capacitors for the first time.

waleross · #6 03-23-2010, 07:43 PM

You burn in a tube amp and you burn up a solid state amp!!!

KramerBassFan · #7 03-23-2010, 07:53 PM

Not needed.

There is the infant amp mortality thing - but I wouldn't worry about that here.

easyrider13 · #8 03-23-2010, 08:04 PM

For years I've heard it said that if electronic equipment is going to fail, it will usually do so in the first 24 hours of use. If it doesn't fail, it should be good for the long run.

When Apple was a smaller company, I think they used to burn-in their computers for a day or so before shipping.

If you have 14 day return privilages, I say let it run.

::::BASSIST:::: · #9 03-23-2010, 08:12 PM

Got the initial idea for this in this thread:

Post #41

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...rn#post8703349

Quote:

If at all possible, it's best to burn in a new piece of electronics before relying on it in a gig. I usually try and run equipment for a couple of days straight before using. Not abuse, just turn it on and run a signal through it and let it get good and warm. If it lasts over a weekend, it will usually last for years.

billfitzmaurice · #10 03-23-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Well, my Carvin bx1500 arrived today. I'm very much looking forward to giving her the once over.

A while back someone said that its a good idea to "burn in" the electronics of a new amp so that its less likely to have problems.

Electronics don't need break-in. Just play it as much as possible before taking it out on a gig to allow any possible defects to reveal themselves.