Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Did I Break My Amp?
- Thread starter BigWhammy
- Start date
Just looked and mini amps by Fender run on 9v batteries.
This is pretty unreal, I'd suggest next time you post, be more specific. I think the collective assumed you left a "real" amplifier on. Also, when you leave an active bass plugged in overnight the 9v will drain. So when you said you changed the battery, we thought it was in your bass.
So if you're ever screwed again, you'll probably be out about $60 for a new mini amp.
This is pretty unreal, I'd suggest next time you post, be more specific. I think the collective assumed you left a "real" amplifier on. Also, when you leave an active bass plugged in overnight the 9v will drain. So when you said you changed the battery, we thought it was in your bass.
So if you're ever screwed again, you'll probably be out about $60 for a new mini amp.
You can and I did, playing outside (on a pallet) my Peavey Bass 400 let out the magic smoke and gave me 110v to my strings, gives a new meaning for "To hot to handle"
Right on. I was just wondering if the act of cycling an amp off and on is harder on the unit than leaving it on all the time. Was just curious, that's all! As you posted, if power cycles have an impact on lifespan.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,978
- 5
- 220,743
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
This story does have a point related to the OP's posting.
In a much younger and stupider day a group of us revolved in and around multiple different bands and a couple of practice or jam houses. One particularly nice summer our bands "house" was the servants house to a mansion back in the 20' and 30's. It was about 200ft back from a cliff overlooking a river with many camping islands in it, that provided a captive audience. The grounds had a way cool gazebo closer to the cliff which was the home of a few practices but more often extended jam sessions which may have included multiple different types of blood pollutants. One weekday we decided a jam was needed so everything went to the gazebo about noon, the band did work out a couple of songs and took a break for pizza and beer. Later the jam started and a few more amps came in, about midnight we had consumed much more beer and other blood pollutants, about then we turned way down, and just jacked a stereo into the PA. Sometime we just disbanded and everyone crashed. early in the am some clowns woke up fired up the grill and started eating, drinking and jamming ata way low volume. The cycle repeated itself for four or five days with some people and amps coming and going, but most of the amps stayed and were not turned off for four or so days. Bassman's, B25B, B15S, some peavey 400, a 360, VT22, V4B, Marshall, a small Vox (Berkley II?), 2 Crown power amps for the PA.
My point is a ton of gear that was left on for an extended period of time and no damage. I was a bit paranoid about amps out in the midday sun, and out when the dew developed. we did our best to make sure everything was under the gazebo roof at night.
In a much younger and stupider day a group of us revolved in and around multiple different bands and a couple of practice or jam houses. One particularly nice summer our bands "house" was the servants house to a mansion back in the 20' and 30's. It was about 200ft back from a cliff overlooking a river with many camping islands in it, that provided a captive audience. The grounds had a way cool gazebo closer to the cliff which was the home of a few practices but more often extended jam sessions which may have included multiple different types of blood pollutants. One weekday we decided a jam was needed so everything went to the gazebo about noon, the band did work out a couple of songs and took a break for pizza and beer. Later the jam started and a few more amps came in, about midnight we had consumed much more beer and other blood pollutants, about then we turned way down, and just jacked a stereo into the PA. Sometime we just disbanded and everyone crashed. early in the am some clowns woke up fired up the grill and started eating, drinking and jamming ata way low volume. The cycle repeated itself for four or five days with some people and amps coming and going, but most of the amps stayed and were not turned off for four or so days. Bassman's, B25B, B15S, some peavey 400, a 360, VT22, V4B, Marshall, a small Vox (Berkley II?), 2 Crown power amps for the PA.
My point is a ton of gear that was left on for an extended period of time and no damage. I was a bit paranoid about amps out in the midday sun, and out when the dew developed. we did our best to make sure everything was under the gazebo roof at night.
There is no problem leaving solid state amps on indefinitely. In fact it is better for them! Amps are a lot like light bulbs - the turn-on surge when they are cold blows them out. A service tech I worked with told me that he hadn't turned his stereo system for 10 years!
Inside every transistor and IC are tiny wires that connect the semiconductor to the mounting pins. These wires expand and contract with temperature and can eventually fatigue and break. If you are going to come back to your computer or amp, or TV soon - just leave it on! (Unless there is a heat problem).
Inside every transistor and IC are tiny wires that connect the semiconductor to the mounting pins. These wires expand and contract with temperature and can eventually fatigue and break. If you are going to come back to your computer or amp, or TV soon - just leave it on! (Unless there is a heat problem).
I'm intrigued by the idea of playing a bass through one of those Fender mini amps. I have an orange crush 3 watt battery powered amp, but I'd never play bass through it. I barely play guitar through it (though I do occasionally with a Sansamp GT2 amp sim in front - sounds much better).
Fender Mini amps run on 9v batteries. Sounds like the crisis was averted by the OP, although his post was not very specific. Confusion was bound to happen, as I was too.
