How to Clean a Bass Amplifier

Cleaning bass amplifier components regularly will not only preserve the appearance but also helps prevent certain common failures. This procedure is for cleaning bass amplifier cabinets with closed backs and a "carpet" or "fuzz" type of covering. Open-back cabinets with exposed speakers tend to be guitar amplifiers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Contact cleaner for jacks
• Glass cleaner for chassis
• Clean cotton rag

1. Power off the amplifier and unplug it. Wait for the amplifier to be completely cooled down before cleaning.
2. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the outside of the cabinet. Vacuum over any grills or vents in the metal chassis of the amplifier. Take a moment to tip the amplifier up on one side and listen for debris inside of the cabinet that may damage the speaker. By tipping the amplifier onto a single corner, most objects will slide into that corner. If the bass is vented (has a hole in it), try reaching the hose of the vacuum through it to remove the debris. Otherwise, cleaning bass amplifier interiors requires removing the speaker.
3. Clean the face of the amplifier with the cotton rag and cleaning solution. Liquids can damage electronics so never spray anything onto an amplifier; spray the rag with cleaner and then wipe.
4. Remove the knobs with a firm tug if it is necessary to clean behind them. Clean under the knobs, turn the shafts of the potentiometers to the left and press the knobs back onto them so that the indicators are in the extreme left position.
5. Rotate each knob quickly but gently from right to left and back 10 to 20 times. This clears any debris inside the potentiometer itself out of the way to reduce crackling and drop-outs.
6. Apply contact cleaner to the rag and place a single thickness of the cloth over a three quarter inch female plug (the plug will not be damaged). Insert and remove the female plug with the cloth over it into every jack in the amplifier, even if they are not normally used. Reapply cleaner as necessary. If the rag has been stained black or brown, reinsert the cloth until it is clean when removed. Sponge tipped cleaning swabs may be used instead but cotton swabs should be avoided.

Tips & Warnings

• Frequent vacuuming will reduce smoke odors.
• Never spray liquids into or onto an amplifier.
• Only use contact cleaner for jacks. Do not use spray oils or lubricants.