AMP 1 MAINTENANCE DIY | Academy of Tone #315 | 🔴 LIVESTREAM

Want to keep your amp sounding its best and avoid common gear issues? In this episode of Academy of Tone, Thomas teams up with UK-based BluGuitar service expert Dave Barlow to take you behind the scenes of amp maintenance. Together, they’ll break down the most common problems guitarists face—from corrosion on jacks, switches, and pots to general wear and tear—and show you how to deal with them. You’ll learn what you can safely handle yourself, when it’s time to call a technician, and how to keep your gear stage-ready in any environment. They’ll also dive into the key differences between traditional tube amps and BluGuitar’s NanoTube design. This is your chance to understand the technology you use every day—and keep it performing at its peak. #guitaramp #ampmaintenance #guitarist ____________________________________________________________________________________ Join the BluGuitar community! Built on passion, innovation and respect for guitar players. Get your AMP1 MERCURY EDITION or IRIDIUM EDITION with 3 YEARS WARRANTY and FREE SHIPPING (within EU): https://bluguitar.com/en/products/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ https://bluguitar.com/ Learn proper guitar amplifier maintenance techniques to keep your gear running reliably. See how to safely inspect and service internal amp components. This demonstration covers the fundamental steps required for guitar amplifier maintenance, making it an essential watch for guitarists looking to understand their equipment better. We walk through the internal chassis, identifying key parts and explaining the logic behind routine upkeep to prevent common failures. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your technical knowledge, this guide provides a clear look at the repair process. By following these procedures, you gain the confidence to perform basic servicing on your own rig. We focus on practical, actionable methods that help extend the lifespan of your amplifier and ensure consistent tone quality. Mastering these guitar amp repair basics saves time and helps you diagnose issues before they become major problems. Subscribe for weekly gear maintenance breakdowns, and tell us in the comments what piece of equipment you want us to cover next. 0:00 Intro-Song 5:44 Welcome 6:07 Guest Introduction: Dave Barlow 6:47 UK Service Center 7:47 Les Paul Birthday 8:47 Les Paul Legacy 9:25 Harry: Repair Guy 10:28 Translucent Faceplate 13:02 Disassembly Begins 13:53 Amp1 Reliability 14:55 Tube Design Explained 16:49 Nanotube Soldering 18:27 Tube Quality 19:01 Potentiometer Design 20:49 Footswitch Mechanics 23:06 Dirty Switch Fix 25:29 Switch Cleaning Steps 28:09 Stereo Pot Redundancy 30:45 PCB Manufacturing 32:28 Custom Controls 35:59 Effects Loop Switch 37:54 Humidity & Climate 39:09 Carry Bag Protection 41:56 Socket Maintenance 45:44 Troubleshooting Tips 56:30 Alex Beirut Story 58:00 Isolating Problems 1:01:54 Translucent Edition Done 1:10:59 Interview Intro: Dave 1:13:32 Dave's Background 1:32:48 Guitar Setup Basics 1:43:36 Oxidation & Valves 1:52:38 Custom Controls Video 2:06:48 Outro & Farewell