• 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.

Most reliable / maintainable amp rig

S

SeismicAssault

Oct 10, 2007
458
1
New Hampshire, USA
#1
I've been in the market for a new amp rig lately, and I wanted some input on amps what are the most reliable and maintainable amps out there. I've gone through a number of amp heads and cabinets that have failed, and required servicing that either I couldn't do myself, or was extremely expensive.

So if I'm looking for a rig that I can still be playing in 40 years (with normal, occassional maintenance), what would you suggest?
 
#2
SeismicAssault said:
I've gone through a number of amp heads and cabinets that have failed, and required servicing that either I couldn't do myself, or was extremely expensive.
Click to expand...

Most amps aren't user serviceable.

I really don't have a good response for the rest of the question. It's unfortunate, but electronics fail. It depends on too many variables as to how, when, or why.

People say tube amps are super reliable, but they need periodic maintenance that can be expensive. Then flip the coin over and other people say they are unreliable because there is fragile glass inside of them.

The real question is this: Why are so many of your amps & cabs failing? Are they being used properly?

I've been playing for a decent amount of time and I've gone through quite a few amps, but I've only ever had 1 fail on me.
 
#5
Vintage Peavey heads (400 series, the Marks, etc.) have a reputation for being nearly bulletproof.. Personally I've stayed away from tubes simply because of the maintenance these guys require (I'm the consummate cheapskate..) Carvins seem to be built well, at least the DCM600 I have hasn't missed a beat in many years..

Cab failures are most likely caused by overexcursion. It isn't the total wattage number you want to look at, its the power it takes to make the cones exceed xmax in that particular cab. Many commercial cabs handle a lot less power than advertised.. This issue would go away if you invested in fEARful..
 
#8
JimmyM said:
You're saying you can't blow a fEarful?
Click to expand...

It would be very difficult to.. With the Kappalites, thermal and mechanical limits are about the same. A 12/6 - 15/6 can easily handle 500+ watts without straining.. Many other "500W" rated cabs may only be useful w/less than half that power due to excursion limitations.

Not to say you can't overpower a fEARful, but you'd have to do some pretty nasty stuff to it before it fails..
 
#9
I agree with Jimmy, but might have to give a nod towards Genz Benz - not because they are necessarily more reliable, but because of their customer service. They are probably the best in the business. Next would probably be Ampeg just because of how many techs are around that know how to service them if they break down.
 
#10
Personally I've stayed away from tubes simply because of the maintenance these guys require (I'm the consummate cheapskate..) [/QUOTE]

Not that myth again! 40 year old Ampeg, original tubes, tech said its aok, steaming along. Maybe the.newer amps stink, but The new Traynors rock and are solid. Tubes are where tone lives. IMHO.

Old tube amps, are simplistic on circuitry. preamp tubes last for decades, and have similar electronic components to ss amps. Caps, resistors,trannys, etc. What extra maint? Man o man.
 
#11
SeismicAssault said:
So if I'm looking for a rig that I can still be playing in 40 years (with normal, occassional maintenance), what would you suggest?
Click to expand...

I have many amps that i purchased over the years., Laney , Peavey, GK, Acoustic, Sunn, Ampeg,,,etc.. They've all been repaired for various malfunctions except ONE - - - a '71 blueface Fender Bassman (now 40 years old!!) which i purchased in '82.

I replaced the filter caps and tubes about 10 years ago, but that was a preemptive measure...worked fine even before i did that.

Oh, to be fair, the Laney giving up the smoke was really my fault...spilled an entire bottle of beer on it.
 
#12
bassgod0dmw said:
The real question is this: Why are so many of your amps & cabs failing? Are they being used properly?
Click to expand...

I guess so many isn't the correct wording ... maybe a few is more like it. I've had two big name, reputable amps have to go back to the manufacturer for warranty servicing, one tweeter on a cabinet act up (eventually fixed myself), and I've had tube guitar amps have to be serviced (by myself) for scratchy pots, new caps, etc. All these failures were on equipment 5-10 years old. I am just wondering whether it is the norm now days to have to replace your equipment every 5-10 years because it'll break down.

I know that electronics go, but the user can't service these things any more, only the factory. On older amps, at least they were simpler, and could be serviced by the user (even if that meant replacing tubes, transformers, discrete electronics, etc.). I don't mind servicing and maintaining, as long as the information and parts are available.

I haven't been using any of my equipment incorrectly. I have purchased most of it used, and maybe it's an issue just getting someone else's broken down equipment. I'm just looking for that rig that I can keep going for longer than 10 years.
 
#15
jmattbassplaya said:
I agree with Jimmy, but might have to give a nod towards Genz Benz - not because they are necessarily more reliable, but because of their customer service. They are probably the best in the business. Next would probably be Ampeg just because of how many techs are around that know how to service them if they break down.
Click to expand...

I agree about Genz service.

However, it may be worthwhile to consider some of the features of the Shuttlemax 12 in regards to reliability. It's my understanding that it has dual power supplies so that if one fails, it will keep working. I think there are other redundancies in there too. Having redundant systems in place may give it a significant edge.

If I needed an amp to keep working for 40-plus years, the SM 12 would probably top the list.
 
#16
96tbird said:
Personally I've stayed away from tubes simply because of the maintenance these guys require (I'm the consummate cheapskate..)
Click to expand...

Not that myth again! 40 year old Ampeg, original tubes, tech said its aok, steaming along. Maybe the.newer amps stink, but The new Traynors rock and are solid. Tubes are where tone lives. IMHO.

Old tube amps, are simplistic on circuitry. preamp tubes last for decades, and have similar electronic components to ss amps. Caps, resistors,trannys, etc. What extra maint? Man o man.[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that the quality of tubes used 40 years ago was much higher than those currently being produced. Tubes are no longer manufactured in the USA for example.
 
#17
I will defer to the experts on this that state Chinese, yes I said Chinese tubes are now made with state of the art equipment and rival old USA tubes. Ad well JJ tubes are fantastic value and quality, made in Russia, now on brand new equipment.

Tubes are not fragile once in place, and the glass is about four times thicker than an incandescent light bulb, as thick as a cfl. They will break if dropped on concrete or metal. Just the facts.
 
#18
SeismicAssault said:
I guess so many isn't the correct wording ... maybe a few is more like it. I've had two big name, reputable amps have to go back to the manufacturer for warranty servicing, one tweeter on a cabinet act up (eventually fixed myself), and I've had tube guitar amps have to be serviced (by myself) for scratchy pots, new caps, etc. All these failures were on equipment 5-10 years old. I am just wondering whether it is the norm now days to have to replace your equipment every 5-10 years because it'll break down.
Click to expand...

To me that's just the norm of gear that gets used. You're complaining about a tweeter and some scratchy pots? Tweeters blow all the time. Your pots can get scratchy in a week if you live near the ocean. It's electronics, that's just the way it is.

I know that electronics go, but the user can't service these things any more, only the factory. On older amps, at least they were simpler, and could be serviced by the user (even if that meant replacing tubes, transformers, discrete electronics, etc.). I don't mind servicing and maintaining, as long as the information and parts are available.
Click to expand...

Those "older amps" aren't exactly user serviceable either. Messing around inside of an amp without knowing what you're doing can kill you. Replacing a tranny is fairly simple when you take the appropriate steps, but most people don't know what they are.

I haven't been using any of my equipment incorrectly. I have purchased most of it used, and maybe it's an issue just getting someone else's broken down equipment. I'm just looking for that rig that I can keep going for longer than 10 years.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't really call any of this a huge failure. Based on the first post it seemed like you were blowing things up left and right. Scratchy pots? C'mon...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back