Worth servicing an amp in order to sell it?

[Philly Q]

I'm thinking of selling my Rivera R55 combo because, basically, I never use it and it's just taking up space.

It's in pretty good condition, but it's in need of a service - it crackles, hisses and pops like crazy so I imagine the valves need replacing.  It also has a dead "Ninja boost" LED, but I don't think there are any major problems.

I'm Mr DIY when it comes to (most) guitar repairs, but I'm completely and utterly clueless about amps, so I'd need a professional to look at it.  Which causes its own problems, as I'm a non-driver so I can't just drop it down to Chandlers or wherever.

Would an overhaul give enough "added value" to justify the costs, or d'you think I should just sell it as it is?  :?

[gwEm]

if you want, i'll have a look at it for the price of a beer. in theory i'll have moved to london this weekend, so next week should be ok.

if you buy some valves, i can pop round with my tool box. no promises, but it'll at least be free. i studied electronics for 8 years and rebuit my JMP50 so can do the basics.

[martinw]

That's good offer, and even if you had to pay for it, a service on one of those shouldn't cost more than £25. Plus the valves of course, but it's not likely they all need replacing.

I serviced one of those a few months back. One heavy amp, and very well built. A quick clean up, cleaned the pots and jacks, 1 new preamp valve, checked all the voltages and he was good to go for another few years.

It might be hard to sell an amp with crackles.

[WezV]

if you want, i'll have a look at it for the price of a beer.

Dont give him any beer untill after he has been inside the amp

[bobthemerciful]

I sold my first ever amp (an old Carlsbro 60 TC) on ebay a couple of years ago. Had it serviced first, just so I could sell it with a clear conscience.
 :)

[Philly Q]

Cheers, I might take you up on that, gwEm  :) - no rush, it's getting a bit close to the "least wonderful time of the year" so I'll probably wait until January.

As for what needs doing, is it most likely to be the valves causing the snap, crackle and pop?  I was totally guessing when I said that.  I don't want to buy a set if it turns out there's something different wrong (he says, suddenly getting Scrooge-like).

Assuming it is the valves, what'll most likely need replacing, preamp, power amp or both?  I don't even know where to buy them, what they cost or what brand to get (told you I'm clueless about amps...)

I sold my first ever amp (an old Carlsbro 60 TC) on ebay a couple of years ago. Had it serviced first, just so I could sell it with a clear conscience.

Oh, if I sell it "as is", I'll spell out all the problems - and probably make them sound worse than they are!  Honesty is the best policy, I'm totally paranoid about getting negative eBay feedback.

[HTH AMPS]

Snap crackle and pop is rarely valves from my experience - it's more likely to be dirty valve base contacts or dirty pots.

Get some non-lubricated spray cleaner for the valve bases - spray it in then put the valves in/out a few times then repeat.  That should shift any dirty contacts.

Get some lubricated spray cleaner for the pots - spray inside the pot then rotate the pot round a dozen or so times.

Off course this should be with the amp OFF and unplugged from the wall.  

 :twisted:

[Philly Q]

Snap crackle and pop is rarely valves from my experience - it's more likely to be dirty valve base contacts or dirty pots.

Get some non-lubricated spray cleaner for the valve bases - spray it in then put the valves in/out a few times then repeat.  That should shift any dirty contacts.

Get some lubricated spray cleaner for the pots - spray inside the pot then rotate the pot round a dozen or so times.

Cheers HTH  :) .  That's gotta be worth a try.  I've got some Electrolube "Electronic Cleaning Solvent" from Maplin - I'm guessing from the brand name that 'tis likely to be lubricated?

Off course this should be with the amp OFF and unplugged from the wall.  

I figured that bit!  I said I was clueless, but...