Amp Started Smoking

[cjdincus]

So the other night me and my friend were jamming and i had my '81 Fender Deluxe Reverb on full volume and the volume started fading in and out when i was playing and then lots of smoke started coming out the back. Im not sure where the smoke come from. Anyone have any ideas of what could have happened and if it would be expensive to fix? thank you.

[Atomic]

one of the elves inside opened the door and let the magic smoke out.
once the smoke is gone, so is the magic that makes the amp work.


but seriously, it could be any number of components really.. any attempt to say what it is without opening the amp and testing in person is pure speculation. take it to a qualified amp tech.

[KSG_Standard]

I've only seen one amp smoke, it was caused by a short...If you are not an electronics guy, take it to an amp tech. The deluxe reverbs have been around forever and there are plenty of techs that can figure out what's up with it. Maybe you'll be lucky and the fix will be cheap. Good luck!

[TeleDog]

Tube amps require periodic service. Have you ever serviced the amp? Replacing the tubes, checking the caps...

If not, it's probably the amp showing its age and lack of TLC...

[cjdincus]

thanks for the info. yeah i had the tubes changed back in july but the amp itself has been serviced since 89 i think so its been a while. im gona take it to the shop soon. Once again thanks for helpin

[Splattle101]

Originally Posted by Atomic

one of the elves inside opened the door and let the magic smoke out.
once the smoke is gone, so is the magic that makes the amp work.

You bastard.

Filter caps, rectifier...the list is endless.

[Atomic]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

You bastard.

Filter caps, rectifier...the list is endless.

hey every bench jockey worth his salt has said that to at least one customer.. and done so with a straight face.

[hipofutura]

I'm guessing transformer.

[paulygates]

It should be easy to identify. The bit that looks burned is probably it. I would still take it to a tech though. There maybe another faulty component that caused it to overheat.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by cjdincus

Amp Started Smoking....

Your amp is hanging out with a bad element. Next thing you know, it'll be drinking, taking downers and amphetamines and stealing.

[paulygates]

I wondered who would go down that road.

[BillB1960]

All electronic devices are powered by smoke. Irrefutable evidence of this is available by simple observation: when an electronic device starts showing visible smoke it stops working, e.g. the smoke has leaked out. This is because electronic devices run on a "closed loop" system, as opposed to automobiles which run on an "open loop" system.

Now the trick is finding which of the components has begun leaking and let the smoke out. Since some individual components actually generate their own smoke it is sometimes possible to simply replace the component and it will create the necessary smoke to power the device. However in most cases it's best to take it to a professional who will replace the faulty component and refill the device with smoke.

For many years there has been a significant shortage of smoke available on the open market. The manufacturers seem to be able to get it but most smaller repair facilities can't which is why they tell a lot of people that it's better to buy a new device than repair the old one. There's also been a concerted effort to get consumers to recycle their old electronic equipment so that the smoke can be reclaimed but so far success has been limited.

I've yet to see smoke "commoditized" but it wouldn't surprise me to someday soon see "smoke futures" traded on the open market. When that happens watch out...there could ba a serious run up in the cost of electronics.

None of this helps you figure out what went wrong with yor amp. Just take it to a pro and let him figure it out.

[Belzeebub]

looks like you've fried the transformer.

[paulygates]

Thanks for clearing that up, Bill

[lp_junkie]

my Fender amp caught on fire during a sound check once, prompting my return to Marshalls in 1997.

Smoke means heat, which is the enemy of all things electronic, it can get very expensive repairing amps depending on what caused the smoke.

[Splattle101]

Those of you suggesting particular components, forget it. There are any number of things that could have gone, and in combination.

You can do a lot of initital trouble shooting with your nose. Where does the smokey smell come from? With your eyes: which bits look burnt? And so on. But you can do sweet fuck all along those lines sitting behind a computer monitor.

It must go to an amp tech.

[axepilot]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

But you can do sweet fuck all along those lines sitting behind a computer monitor.

Thank you! Too many web experts here.........................with devining rods seeking the cause.

[hipofutura]

Ah, come on guys. We're just having fun with intellectual masturbation. Of course we don't know what components smoked this amp, and of course it will have to go to a tech for repair.

Remember, the OP asked what could have happened. I believe he received most if not all possibilities from the collective MLP armchair amp techs.

[weirdotis]

It could need a cap job but if you replaced the fuses and it works fine, I'd leave well enough alone.

Matt

[vortexx]

I've seen a picture of Ritchie Blackmore with his cab on fire