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Anyone else do this with new and used gear?

#21
New amps? No. I always open up a used amp though. I want to have a look around to make certain that it isn’t packed full of dust and dirt, and that nothing looks janky. Loose connections or wires twisted and taped back together, etc. If it has tubes, they get replaced asap unless I know for a fact that it has just been done.
Basses? Yeah, I cannot resist having a look into the control cavity.
 
#23
two fingers said:
Maybe someone like @agedhorse can clear this up for us. My gut says that most bass amp circuits wouldn't be that susceptible to static, but I could be wrong.

I have opened up every piece of bass gear I have ever bought and poked around to see what makes it tick.
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In general, bass amps are designed to deal with the rigors of the road. This includes static discharge, but not randomly, only to the parts that can be accessed from outside the box (switches, jacks, controls). In fact, there are specific standards that a CB certified product much meet with regards to static discharge.

I always look inside new boxes, I like to see how other designers approach packaging and what sort of challenges they had to overcome. I also know what not to touch, what may be sensitive.
 
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#24
I've owned many amps in my time.
While I appreciate the design and layout (especially old handmade stuff like early Fenders) I see no reason to open a working amp up for no reason other than cleaning or tightening a loose part.

My new motto:
"If no good can come from it, I'm not interested".
 
#25
agedhorse said:
I always look inside new boxes, I like to see how other designers approach packaging and what sort of challenges they had to overcome. I also know what not to touch, what may be sensitive.
Click to expand...
I'm the same way; I like to see how the PC boards are supported, how PC mounted connectors and controls are anchored to prevent cracked solder joints, if the PC board designer parked a bunch of electrolytics tight against a heat sink, etc. Every once in awhile I run across a potential problem that can be dealt with before it become a problem.
 
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#26
I’ll look but not touch. Except tubes. I’ll almost always wiggle test and optionally reseat tubes.

Inside a server, monitor, laptop, workstation, network switch, or router I’m perfectly at home and will wade in without fear because I know what I’m looking at as well as what I’m doing. But audio gear? Nope. Different world from the one I trained for and work in.
 
#27
Not specifically getting the cover off immediately, but...
if it's a tube amp I want to change the tube ASAP & put the tubes that came in it on ice as spares.

I'll definitely make sure everything is functioning, run each EQ knob to its extremes & see if it goes wonky.
I'll do this in the pawn-shops as well, when checking out an amp. It has prevented me from buying a dud many times.
 
#28
It's fun to look inside old Fuzz pedals. Extremely huge oversized components for low voltage is cool.
and comical also compared to today's smd devices.

I also looked inside a Class D Mark Bass before
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#31
I recently acquired an almost new Mesa Scout combo. I noticed that the
toroidal transformer was very loose.
I opened up the amp and very carefully tightened the nut in the center. .. not too much tourqe.
Closed the amp and that was it.
Aside from this.. I never open Electronics..
 
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#32
Coot said:
I have a tendency to crack open every piece of new and used gear I get home . To see the workmanship (or lack thereof).I I'm interested to know if anyone else does this ? Or only when a problem occurs?
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Given my mantra of "if it ain't broke fix it anyway", what do you think?
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Although lately I haven't been buying too much commercial gear and after seven years I've still never opened up my main gigging cab.
 
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#34
byacey said:
I'm always suspicious anytime I hear the terms "upgraded" or "modified".
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So am I, I see the results of "upgrades" and "modifications" enough that when a unit comes in for service I automatically investigate these first and per factory policy restore to the original factory conditions. This is necessary in part to maintain the safety certification from when the product was originally manufactured.
 
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#39
When I was an authorized tech for FMIC, SLM, Yamaha and Marshall I did it all the time. Not just for repairing them if/when they died, but to see if there were any improvements made by the companies as far as design and component quality and to see what connectors were used and if they could cause problems down the line. Now that Im not working for a music store I only open up my used toys that I buy online (I have a strange compulsion to buy dead things and bring them back to life if possible to either keep for myself or flip).

The last thing I opened up was my Ampeg PF800 after it came back from warranty repair (tech said he had to replace the main board after the amp shut down at a very low powered gig). I figured since it was already opened that I couldnt void any warranties).
 
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