Cigarettes and amps?

[jordy_on_bass]

Hey guys,

I am receiving my GK700RBII in the next few days or so. I live in a smoking household and was just wondering if there are any detrimental effects of the smoke from cigarettes on head units? I have my gear in my lounge room and don't really want to move it to a spare room if I don't have to, but if the smoke wil have an effect on my gear, then I will obviously have to move it.

Cheers,
Jordan

[B-string]

Its not great for it, but equipment has survived for decades in very smokey bars? Cover it when not in use will keep the sticky tars from building up in/on it.

[jpfbass]

It will probably retain that cigeretty smell if you take it out of your house (this is very hard to get out), but I don't know about the electronics as far as tar build up and such. You should definitely cover it though, I would think that would help to protect it.

[jelwood]

I would be more worried about my own health than the health of my amp in that situation.

However, I just bought an equalizer on ebay not too long ago and the thing was CAKED in smoke/tar/poison/whatever they smoke in clubs. It's also around forty years old. Still works great!

[Bass_Pounder]

If your running it in the house, it will get *some* buildup inside from the fan moving air through it (but it will take a fair amount of time).

If you are not really using it, a cheap plastic bag cover will keep it safe.

[nysbob]

When you see the ad "no smoking studio" or whatever, it just means there will be no smell or yellow patina on the gear.

I have never heard of any music gear failing because it was exposed to cigarette smoke. It affects humans, but these are machines. I wouldn't sweat it.

[MIJ-VI]

If you quit smoking you'll have more money to buy a cab too.

[jordy_on_bass]

lol @ the replies to the smoke being more hazardous for me than the amp. I don't smoke alot at home, mostly when I am at work. My fiancee is a smoker too and we have friends over who smoke, so it's not just my 3 cigarettes a day from me in the apartment. If it were just me, it wouldnt be a huge issue.

MIJ-VI, already have the cab. 1970's V4-B Ampeg 2 x 15 folded horn! Looking at getting a new one in the future though as it isn't essential right now. If I got another one, I think my fiancee would kill me as we are already paying for a mortgage and saving for a fishing holiday for me in a few months up the coast and a trip to California and Vegas for next year!! The second part may not be an issue for some people here, but it is for us Aussies since the states is virtually on the other side of the world!! She wanted to kill me when I bought the GK, but she saw my side: The cab needs a head unit and it was a good deal, as any second-hand GK here is minimum $850US BEFORE postage and the brand new ones are $1200US+ before postage. Damn, music gear here can be so expensive! You don't wanna know how much Ampeg can cost

[wave rider]

If everyone is a light smoker, why not step out to the porch to light up? Otherwise, I would use some kind of cover.

I did apartment painting for a while, some occupied. The ones with regular smokers really did have that noticeable yellow color on everything.

I did enjoy tobacco for many years, glad I was able to step away...

=wr=

[jordy_on_bass]

wave rider,

during the winter here it is freezing cold and during the summer there is an assortment of bugs that bite us outside, plus the fact we need to go down a couple flights of stairs to get outside. My partner suggested that since it is our place, not rented, that we just smoke inside. We also don't smoke everywhere in the house, just the living room, where my gear is located.

Like I said, I could put it in the spare room, but it has a bed and an array of our belongings in it and would make practicing and getting to my gear a bit of a nightmare. Just easier keeping it in the lounge room.

I might put a cover over it when I am not using it, seems like the logical thing to do.

Cheers,
Jordan

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

lol @ the replies to the smoke being more hazardous for me than the amp. I don't smoke alot at home, mostly when I am at work. My fiancee is a smoker too and we have friends over who smoke, so it's not just my 3 cigarettes a day from me in the apartment. If it were just me, it wouldnt be a huge issue.

MIJ-VI, already have the cab. 1970's V4-B Ampeg 2 x 15 folded horn! Looking at getting a new one in the future though as it isn't essential right now. If I got another one, I think my fiancee would kill me as we are already paying for a mortgage and saving for a fishing holiday for me in a few months up the coast and a trip to California and Vegas for next year!! The second part may not be an issue for some people here, but it is for us Aussies since the states is virtually on the other side of the world!! She wanted to kill me when I bought the GK, but she saw my side: The cab needs a head unit and it was a good deal, as any second-hand GK here is minimum $850US BEFORE postage and the brand new ones are $1200US+ before postage. Damn, music gear here can be so expensive! You don't wanna know how much Ampeg can cost

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

wave rider,

during the winter here it is freezing cold and during the summer there is an assortment of bugs that bite us outside, plus the fact we need to go down a couple flights of stairs to get outside. My partner suggested that since it is our place, not rented, that we just smoke inside. We also don't smoke everywhere in the house, just the living room, where my gear is located.

Like I said, I could put it in the spare room, but it has a bed and an array of our belongings in it and would make practicing and getting to my gear a bit of a nightmare. Just easier keeping it in the lounge room.

I might put a cover over it when I am not using it, seems like the logical thing to do.

Cheers,
Jordan

Perhaps a thin swatch of gauze temporarily taped over the amp's air intake would allow you to gauge if your amp will develop emphysema over time?

If there proves to be a significant tar build-up then a more elegant air filtration system can be rigged.

[vin*tone]

You're worried that cigarette smoke might harm your amp?

I know - it's been said....

[wave rider]

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Perhaps a thin swatch of gauze temporarily taped over the amp's air intake would allow you to gauge if your amp will develop emphysema over time?

If there proves to be a significant tar build-up then a more elegant air filtration system can be rigged.

Maybe a cold air intake from another room or outside? Use some clothes dryer hose?

The cover, when amp is not in use, is a good idea just to block settling residual smoke.

How about one of these: http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...p?product=DB35

Easy wheeling your stack in and out of the spare room, makes the lounge room seem more spacious!

=wr=

[MattyBass]

I would put a towel over it, and wash the towel about once a month, always put the same side down.. That's all you need... : )

[xxfaux_punkxx]

Originally Posted by wave rider

Easy wheeling your stack in and out of the spare room, makes the lounge room seem more spacious!

=wr=

no kidding. I keep my amp in my bedroom and it leaves no room for practice and it's only a 15w.

as for the smoke affecting the amp... probably over time... but that'd be a long time.

[GeneralElectric]

Its going to be quite awhile before smoke damages that amp. Your amp will probably be dead and buried by then anyways.

[mentalpatient]

My Chihuahua's pong off real bad after chewing some meaty bones. One time I nearly passed out. I never turn on my amp during the toxic storms they create. Perhaps I should get another amp that does not have a fan.

[deepbluesuk]

It may cough and splutter a bit but will definitely have that throaty GK growl.........

[panama]

It's weird to me when people smoke in their home/apartment.