Tip o' the week - More on amplifier care
I apologize if this week's tips are too obvious, but they are important.
We all love to experiment with different speakers and it is easy to turn an amp on without a speaker hooked up. An amp won't instantly blow up if this happens, but if a strong signal (like you blowing through your latest mike) is sent to the amp without a speaker connected, a blown output transformer can result. Keep it in mind!
I have seen quite a few amps that had been left on by mistake for weeks or even months. In every case, the owner did not realize the amp was on because the lowly pilot light was burned out. If it is an old Fender, the amp will survive, but always replace that pilot light bulb ASAP if it goes out. Most amps use a #47 bulb that is easily available, even at your local Radio Shack.
Skip Simmons
Actually Skip these are the perfect kind of tips to receive. These are those been there done that and I can save you a whole lot of headaches type of tips that have immediate practical value.
Ron