Smoking Near Amp

Growly Lytes · #1 03-13-2011, 09:57 PM

Im not sure if this has been covered ?
What does smoke do to our amps ? If your playing a smokie bar is it bad, very bad or not bad ? Does it matter if the amps are not running when there is smoke about....lets say your girl smokes alot at home where your amp is ?

jacostilllives · #2 03-13-2011, 10:01 PM

I wouldn't stress about it.

will33 · #3 03-13-2011, 10:04 PM

Most of the best amps I've ever heard are like 40 years old. I'm sure they've had plenty of smoke around them in that time, doesn't seem to hurt anything. Now if you're in an enclosed studio control room with somebody elses board that costs more than your car(s)....maybe best not to. Smoke in the amps, drink rings on the top, chicken grease on the strings......that's called "mojo".

JimmyM · #4 03-13-2011, 10:26 PM

ya, smoke is not really an issue imho.

Munjibunga · #5 03-13-2011, 11:07 PM

You let your girl smoke in the house? I'd worry more about my lungs (and hers) than the amp.

will33 · #6 03-13-2011, 11:10 PM

Depends on what she's smoking and what the amp is. Old fender, no problem...slick new 4 pound pocket rocket....meh, get a scratch or 2 on there, wear the new off, then it won't be so bad.

AwkwardLoudness · #7 03-14-2011, 02:22 AM

Tobacco smoke will make an amp stink but not cause technical problems.

OTOH, if there's smoke coming from the amp, then it's likely a catastrophic failure....and time for a new amp.

Sartori · #8 03-14-2011, 04:53 AM

It'll just make it smell bad. That's about all.

Lots of old amps still work fine after being used in smoky bars with no issues except for the stench.

jastacey · #9 03-14-2011, 08:25 AM

The really only issue about tobacco smoke, is when the amp is fan cooled, the smoke will deposit a somewhat stickey residue, on the insides, and that will make dust stick to it and can cause thermal issues, but it will take years of constant use to produce those issues

Floyd Eye · #10 03-14-2011, 08:31 AM

If you love your amp, you should clean it out once a year regardless. Tobacco ( I am a chain smoker) will leave a sticky residue on everything, just like jastacey said.

BassmanPaul · #11 03-14-2011, 09:36 AM

Tabacco smoke contains oils and other nasty stuff. Pulled into an amp by its cooling fans it lands on the heat sinks and makes them sticky. Other crud getting sucked into the amp gets caught in that and, over time, builds up.

It does take years to happen. I've had to repair several amps that had a problem cutting out. All the amps needed was to be thoroughly cleaned out.

Edit: Darn, all that typing only to be beaten to the punch - twice! I really should read the whole thread before letting my little fat fingers go!

Growly Lytes · #12 03-14-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jastacey

The really only issue about tobacco smoke, is when the amp is fan cooled, the smoke will deposit a somewhat stickey residue, on the insides, and that will make dust stick to it and can cause thermal issues, but it will take years of constant use to produce those issues

Yes i think this is what i was worried about.My amp has two massive fans inside it.So anything thats in the air would be sucked in.I quess it would take along time before something happend.
Thanks guys
Growly

thudfromafar · #13 03-14-2011, 05:27 PM

Smoking around your amp may increase its risk of cancer.