Peavey 5150 Head been stored 3 years, should I use variac ??????????

[CoopDaKill]

Hey Guys,
I've had my 5150 head stored in a trunk for about 3 years. I'm wanting to drag it out and put it back in use,. I think I should use a variac to reform the caps. What do you all think? Anything I should be aware of, on this modern hi-gain beast? Thanks for your time and help. Coop

[soundguruman]

The Illinois capacitors (made in china) tend to puff smoke. I would replace them all.

[Enzo]

This is just my opinion, and others may disagree.

Nobody forms caps when they make the amps.

When I get an amp in for repair, I often don;t know if it has been sitting for 2,3,5,10 years or if it has been in daily use. If I took the time to bring every amp up on a variac to form the caps just in case, I'd still be fixing things from last summer.

Three years is not a long time.

Me, I'd plug it in and see how she sounds.

[Steve Conner]

I agree. Let's say you bought a "brand new" amp in a stock clearance, it could easily have been sitting around a storeroom for 3 years without power. But everyone (not least the amp maker) expects that to fire up without problems.

The variac is more for that 50 year old table radio that you found in a barn.

[Enzo]

And for watching that solid state power amp under repair to see if it is fixed.


I have a couple of SOvtek MIG60 amps new in the box in my warehouse. Unopened. I bought them back in like 1993-94. Someday soon I ought to plug them in.

[CoopDaKill]

Thanks Enzo, and everyone. I apprecate all your insight and value your opinion. I'll fire her up soon, and see what happens.