R Series V1.0 p 22
built to take a lot, but why push it? If you treat your amp well, it will treat you (and your
guitar's tone) well.
Check for loose tubes
Here's as close as you should get to being inside your amp. With the amp unplugged
and cooled off, examine the tubes to make sure they're in tight and straight.
Note:
Unlike light bulbs, tubes push straight into their sockets. Never try to twist them! Also
note that some of the tubes are inside of metal sleeves. These are easy to remove for
checking the tubes. Grasp the sleeve with your fingers and depress it (it's spring-
loaded) and turn to the left (counterclockwise). Now pull it off; this may require a little
wiggling action. Remember to put the sleeve back on after you check the tube.
Make sure the power cord is tightly plugged in
This is critical at both ends of the cord. And don't use one of those 3-pin-to-2-pin
adapters unless you connect the ground lug to the outlet. Leaving the ground
disconnected isn't just cheating--it's dangerous to unground any electrical device that's
supposed to be grounded.
Let it idle before you play
If you have a few minutes to spare before you play, turn the amp on and set it to
standby so that all the parts can get warmed up and stable. Once the amp's nice and
warm (5 or 10 minutes), flip the Standby switch and get busy on your guitar.
Don't use the back of the cabinet as a storage locker
Remember, there's a speaker and glass tubes in there. Both cost money to replace
(money that's better spent on strings, picks, etc., right?). Stash your footswitch and any
other heavy and/or hard-edged stuff in a bag or a case for travel.
Clean your amp once in a while
You can use a damp cloth or one dipped in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent
and water (lots of water!) to wipe off grime, dried Pepsi, and whatever else accumulates
on the vinyl covering. Make sure the amp is unplugged first. Everything else can be
vacuumed, as long as you're gentle and use a soft-bristled brush attachment on the
vacuum hose.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
Amp won't turn on
1. Make sure that the AC mains cord is securely connected at both ends.
2. Verify the power source with something that you know works (a radio, a light, etc.).
3. Check the Mains Fuse, and replace it if necessary (if it blows again, refer your amp to
qualified service personnel).
There's no sound
1. Make sure that the guitar cord to the input is okay (wiggle it--check your guitar's
volume setting, too).
2. Check the Volume controls.
