Can you recommend a good multimeter?

[evito]

I am looking to pick up a multimeter since I am starting to do some troubleshooting work on basses. I would love to get some ideas from everyone on ones I should look at. I will be using this purely for bass repair and some automotive repairs.

If you can give me a model number or link it would be greatly appreciated!

[B-string]

Are we taking just occational use? If your not making a career out of it just go to Radio Shack and get a medium priced DVM, they even have models that test caps. That will be just fine, otherwise spend the big money on a Fluke DVM.

This is an example of a good occational use DVM: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103175
I use the capacitance tester on signal cables that otherwise test good untill you put them in use.

[pbassist]

I have an $8 (yes $8) digital multimeter that I got in a supermarket, and for occasional works like checking cables, pickups and so works well, I think that you don't need much more for basic checking, but don't expect for this price features like temperature or capacitor measuring...

[Rick Auricchio]

I have a $20 cheapie, but I spent the $120 for a Fluke 114.

The cheapie would be fine for simple tests.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by pbassist

I have an $8 (yes $8) digital multimeter that I got in a supermarket, and for occasional works like checking cables, pickups and so works well, I think that you don't need much more for basic checking, but don't expect for this price features like temperature or capacitor measuring...

Hmmm... just 2-weeks ago I saw a brand-new analog DMM on sale for P50 or approx. $1USD . . . but I guess I couldn't fly all the way back to Manila just to pick that up for ya could I?? . . . . .yeah... that a GREAT idea!!! I'm ready . .

[pbassist]

Originally Posted by Rattman

Hmmm... just 2-weeks ago I saw a brand-new analog DMM on sale for P50 or approx. $1USD . . . but I guess I couldn't fly all the way back to Manila just to pick that up for ya could I?? . . . . .yeah... that a GREAT idea!!! I'm ready . .

Pretty constructive comment... incredible amount of info and clever argumentation. I'm impressed!

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by pbassist

Pretty constructive comment... incredible amount of info and clever argumentation. I'm impressed!

Haha!! Thanks for NOT gigging me on my MISTAKE there thou: "DMM" would not pertain to what I describing, as the "D" stands for 'digital' . . that little meter I found in Manila was clearly an analog-type multimeter.. So yeah, better just head over to a nearby Radio Shack and see what's affordable over there.

[Rick Auricchio]

Often an analog meter is helpful when making qualitative measurements: say you want to see if there's voltage vs. nothing. You don't care about the exact voltage, just whether it's present. The needle swings and you don't really have to look closely at it. With a DMM, you have to read the numbers: it could say 5.03v or 0.78v and you need to look.)

The Flukes show a little bar-graph line below the numbers, which helps a bit.

I find I often use the continuity beeper function to test cables after I solder 'em. You're watching where you put the probes on the plugs/jacks, and just listening for the beep.

[JustDavid]

+1.

Analog can be nice in another way; tends to have a much lower impedance than a DMM so it gives more load on a circuit & that'll show up things a DMM doesn't.

[Rick Auricchio]

Yes, especially if it's a cheapie or an old VOM.

Thinking of meters, I've got a little analog Triplett 310, a $20 DMM, a $30 Radio Shack analog, and the Fluke 114. And a Heathkit VTVM I built in high school, which I haven't fired up in 20 years!

[JustDavid]

With ya! Severe "geezer geek" stuff

[Rick Auricchio]

I just tried to fire up the VTVM and it has either a bad tube or something else. Out it goes into the electronic recycles box. The manual is dated 1966.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Fluke would be, and is my #1 choice. Buy once, cry once. No matter how vintage it is, it most likely smokes all the competition in its price range.

The 10€ ones are decent, but can be quite misleading at times.

+1 for the beep, most useful for troubleshooting and signal path tracing.
+1 for the analog multimeters, currently I don't own one, the good ones are too expensive and the crappy ones are just that: crap.

Just my 0.02€
Sam

[JustDavid]

Don't toss it!! Try a CraigsList; $1, as-is, where-is. Someone might LOVE that find!!

[phat5]

My Fluke 88 is 18 years old, and still works flawlessly. It's used almost daily for automotive work.

[Craig_S]

I have a 20 (+-) year old Micronta (Radio Shack brand) that still works. It was given to me 15 years ago. Amazing, huh? I just bought a new DMM from Sears. Good enough for what I do.

[SuperDuck]

Fluke is the creme de la creme for DMM's. Their price might make them overkill in this situation, however.

[REAPER52]

FLUKE- no doubt