Can a lightning storm damage my amp?

[Rockin Mike]

I would think the circuitry would be tuff enuf, but I don't have the budget for a new one if I'm wrong...

[bolophonic]

I think the average amplifier is designed to amplify sound, not to withstand lightning.

[bassgod0dmw]

Absolutely. Any piece of electronic equipment can be damaged. If you've got a surge protector that will most likely take the hit. I have seen a surge protector get completely fried and the computer that was attached to it was also toast.

The circuitry is nowhere near tough enough to withstand that type of power. Think about it, a power line is HUGE compared to the wiring inside of your amp, and power lines can only withstand a small fraction of what a bolt of lightning is capable of.

[JimmyM]

A surge protector won't do squat in the event of a direct lightning hit. NEVER play during lightning if you can help it.

[Passinwind]

Who cares about the amp? You should be looking at the bigger picture...

[Rockin Mike]

well yeah, nothing can survive a direct hit, but I'm guessing a tube amp is more sturdy against surges than a computer... Not talking about physical impact, just electrical surges.

[refbassist]

when ever there's a storm you should unplug Valuable Electric devices, the reason for that lightning may strike a power line which will cause a power surge that will damage any electric device that's connected on it's way, same thing applies to water so it's not a good idea to be in the shower at this time

[hdracer]

With all the thunder storms we have had around here this year, I even unplug my Furman M-8DX Power Conditioner from the wall when I am not using my amp and do not play during a storm.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

well yeah, nothing can survive a direct hit, but I'm guessing a tube amp is more sturdy against surges than a computer... Not talking about physical impact, just electrical surges.

Sorry, no truth to that one, bro. Lightning surges make us all equal in the eyes of the Lord, whom you may be seeing if you play during one

[Papa Dangerous]

Did you know water alone is a very poor conductor of electricity???

I say screw the amp... go outside with a huge metal rod attached to your bass. LET the lightening strike you, and you will become so electrified that you will never an amp again! Not because you will dead.. but because your bass will be super amped up without any amplification device!

*WARNING: The event in the aforementioned post is to not be attempted at home*

[Smokin' Toaster]

A lightning bolt can have the power of a one kiloton explosion.
The temperature of lightning is 50,000°F, 3 times the temperature of the surface of the sun.
Lightning is the #2 weather killer in the US.

I don't think your amp can handle that. Not even a little bit that manages to get in through the electrical system.

And. A bass makes a fine lightning rod.

[Jools4001]

@Papa Dangerous... how on earth did you get that username

[Jools4001]

Smokin Toaster? Yep, a lightining strike would probably do that as well

[Papa Dangerous]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

@Papa Dangerous... how on earth did you get that username

HAHAHA it is actually an inside joke... My friend received a nickname from our other friends nephew. Uncle (insert nickname here) At this point, we were thinking of stage names for each other, and I wanted to be part of the family. So I was called Papa D (D is one of the various nicknames I have.. just about anything starting with D could be dubbed as my nickname lol) So I went from Big D.. to Big Danger.. to Papa Dangerous lol I am frequently called this by many many many people xD

[Moofknock]

Hey at least with lightning you can generate 1.21 gigawatts!

GREAT SCOTT, MARTY! Think of the possibilities!

Wow, that's heavy, Doc!

[will33]

These guys are right, something that has enough to arc a few thousand feet from ground to cloud no surge protector in the world can protect against. When electrical storms approach get everything unplugged and away from any wiring/outlets.

A friend of mine had lightening strike in his backyard. Casualties included a jcm2000, a powered mixer, a vocal effects unit, a tv....pretty much whatever was plugged into the house wiring....thank God no people.

[logie48]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

@Papa Dangerous... how on earth did you get that username

Pun intended?

[Rockin Mike]

Well that's why we have homeowner's insurance.

Again, I'm not talking about a direct hit, but even a strike miles away can cause the lights to blink.

Surges come in all sizes. My question is, are amps more or less vulnerable than computers?

I would guess they are tougher than computers.

and yes I agree nobody should play bass outdoors during a lightning storm. The rain can rust your strings.

[logie48]

Originally Posted by will33

These guys are right, something that has enough to arc a few thousand feet from ground to cloud no surge protector in the world can protect against. When electrical storms approach get everything unplugged and away from any wiring/outlets.

A friend of mine had lightening strike in his backyard. Casualties included a jcm2000, a powered mixer, a vocal effects unit, a tv....pretty much whatever was plugged into the house wiring....thank God no people.

The closer the fault is to your house, the higher the fault level.

If one hits a pylon outside your house, the fault levels are too high and too quick for any protection to operate. Goodbye amp .

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

Well that's why we have homeowner's insurance.

Again, I'm not talking about a direct hit, but even a strike miles away can cause the lights to blink.

Surges come in all sizes. My question is, are amps more or less vulnerable than computers?

I would guess they are tougher than computers.

Amps, like computers, are only as impervious as their weakest part, and considering that you will find many of the same parts in each, they are both equally vulnerable to damage in a lightning storm.

Yes, this goes for tube amps and SS amps.