Fender Tube Amp Tube replacement/reverb tank?

[NYC]

I bought a new fender blues junior amp in 2009. Used it a total of maybe 30 times in a home bedroom setting just every day normal practice at low/med home volumes - all of that use was in 2009.

It has been in a closet, literally not turned on or plugged in, since 2009. I’ve moved a few times so it’s been transported and just put in a new closet.

I’m about to start playing again and I’m curious if I should check, replace, service anything like the tubes or reverb tank, etc since it’s been sitting inside in a closet for like 13 years.

I think perhaps it could have sat on its side (not straight up and down/right side up) for short periods when it was in storage…my wife likes to move things around a lot and recall once about a year ago seeing it sitting on its side in the closet so I moved it right side up.

Should I check anything, listen for anything odd or replace tubes since it’s been out of use for 13 years? Reminder that I only used it for about a year before this 13 year hiatus. So it’s relatively unused in general, so my concern is mostly just how it’s been out of use.

[Litterick]

My Princeton Reverb II was in storage for some time. When I retrieved it and turned it on, the most abominable screech came from the speaker. I turned it off, in terror, and did not dare touch it for several weeks. When I found the courage, I turned it on and everything was fine. So perhaps an amp needs some time to settle.

[stevo58]

If it has been sitting for thirteen years, it is possible some of the electrolytic capacitors have dried out. If this is the case, you may hear hums or screeches. Often the caps will “reform” after voltage is applied and perform reasonably well. What you don’t want to hear is one of the filter caps exploding when it is suddenly confronted with 330V (in a Blues Jr) after a long vacation. This will be a real mess. There’s no way of knowing in advance what will happen. The best thing to do would be put it on a variac and slowly increase the voltage. This gives the caps a chance to reform peacefully.

You might want to just take it to a tech and say “this hasn’t been turned on in thirteen years and I want to use it again. Can you check it out and make sure everything’s ok?” If the tech is any good he’ll know what to do. The worst that could happen is he would replace four filter caps and a handful of low-volt electros (bypass caps). Shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

This is why you should turn your unused amps on a couple times a year. Even if you don’t use it.

Caps are parts that wear out and have to be replaced.

[John A.]

I say turn it on and see what happens. It might make funny noises and die, or it might be fine. No way to tell other than by trying it. At the moment the amp tech situation in NYC is not good (too few good ones, who are all expensive and back-logged), so best to avoid that if possible.

[sgosnell]

It's possible that some tube connections have corroded to some extent, leading to poor or no connection. It's possible that some capacitors have died. It's possible that the connectors to the reverb tank have corrosion. It's not possible to say whether any of this has actually happened. Turn it on and see what happens. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, try to find a competent repair shop, which may be difficult. I wouldn't start trying to fix or replace things without knowing there is a problem. The chances of an explosion are very slim, the chances of just not working are somewhat higher, and the chances of it working fine are much higher. The odds of corrosion on metal parts depend mostly on the humidity level it has been in. Higher humidity increases corrosion.

[Gitfiddler]

Tube amps are fairly robust, even Blues Jr's. My old BJ sits in a corner most of the time, watching me use my other amps. However, when i do crank it up, there's never an issue, even after a few years of my neglect.

As for the amp being stored on its side, I would simply make sure all of the tubes are properly seated in their respective sockets and secure all external connections (speaker, cables, etc.)

The reverb tank being on its side should not be an issue. In fact, Fender installed the reverb tanks sideways on some of their mid-80's Rivera-era amps (e.i. Princeton Reverb II and Super Champ) when fitted with the oversized EV speakers.

Enjoy your BJ!

[ccroft]

My Mesa 22 Calibre sat idle for at least 15 years. I just blindly went ahead and turned it on. It was fine. I did take it to my guy after that for a checkup and he said everything's fine. Put a couple new tubes in.

That's about 6 years ago now. I haven't fired it up in a 2 years. Sounds like maybe I should. It's 30 years old now.

The reverb tank on these (and some other Mesa) are mounted vertically on the side of the cabinet as well, so I wouldn't worry about that one either.

[Cunamara]

Just plug it in and turn it on. See what happens. My Fender Pro Reverb has sat, at times, for a decade or more unused and it works just fine when I plug it in and turn it on. These are robust devices.

[Irishmuso]

My Fender Pro Reverb has sat, at times, for a decade or more unused and it works just fine when I plug it in and turn it on.

I remember when I had one amp and 2 guitars. Those were the days.

[icr]

Just turn it on and use it. Otherwise, I'm sure you could find someone there that would want to replace all the tubes, capacitors, speaker etc. in exchange for your money.

[1charlie]

One neat trick is to remove each tube, spray the pins lightly with WD-40, wipe them clean, and reinsert the tube in its socket several times to improve the connection.

I have saved a few trips to the amp tech this way.