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Post by prettynoiselab on Jan 29, 2008 15:56:39 GMT -7
Hey all you experts. Looking for a good multimeter to purchase which would be suitable for troubleshooting my amps and some rack gear. Did some small-time electronics as a kid and would sure enjoy getting back into it again. A buddy of mine swears by Fluke multimeters now I just need to know which one. He uses his stuff on cnc repair work so I am not sure how close this type of work to amp troubleshooting.
Thanks for any responses in advance.
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Post by myles on Jan 29, 2008 16:37:38 GMT -7
Guitar amps are pretty darn low tech.
You do not need a pricy meter.
Make sure it has a 750+ volt DC scale and a 0-200mV scale (to use with a bias took or 1 ohm resistor to check or set bias) and thats about all that is needed.
I find the under $15.00 meters from Fry's electronics, other electronic stores or Radio Shack do just fine. Paying more is an option but you'd be better off putting the extra money toward guitar strings, food, CDs or whatever.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jan 29, 2008 19:05:34 GMT -7
I've got a couple of Simpson meters that I use every day (my day job is in Engineering at the electric company). I have an 87 and a old 25 (now the 27). I like the 87 a lot, but it's pretty expensive ($350+). We also have the Fluke 10 series at work; those are around or under $100 and are pretty good. I'm a real geek when it comes to electronics; I grew up using an analog meter and I still like to use it when working on vacuum tube radios. I love the old Simpsons like this one: www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1A587I have 260 and I love it. It's a +- 2% accuracy meter. Nothing like seeing an indicator deflect to let you know something's really going on. Sometimes the digital (high impedance) meters make you wonder "Is that phantom voltage or is it real voltage?" Meters with a low impedance mode like the Fluke 10 series don't suffer from this problem. Phil
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Post by dixiechicken on Jan 30, 2008 10:09:08 GMT -7
I'm with Myles on this one I have a cheap "CALTEK CM2701". It only goes up to 600 Volt - but enough for my Music Mand RD112-50 with 620V on the plate. It's cheap but works real well.
Cheers: Dixiechicken!
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Post by rickc007 on Jan 30, 2008 13:06:44 GMT -7
I'm a Fluke guy as well, not only high quailty, and super accurate they are built like tanks, used to work Construction in NYC, mine fell from top of latter twice, no issues, was a Fluke 83
But Frys does have a boat load of meters that will do the trick
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Post by Curt on Jan 30, 2008 20:34:17 GMT -7
Any will do for sure, Fluke's are nice, and I too have an Old Simpson 260..somewhere??? Ain't seen in a wife or two, I hope I still have that monster............
have 10 or more around here, collect them over time for work, rarely use them now though. The one I keep in my 'music' bag is an Amprobe AD-16a, does all you'll need.
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Post by bluzman on Jan 30, 2008 21:02:30 GMT -7
Recently I bought a couple of cheap DMMs to check out for our service techs. I got a nice looking $60.00 meter that didn't work right out of the box. I've tried many different meters over the years and I have found that the Flukes hold up best. I also have noticed that you can get decent meters for low cost, but that the True RMS meters tend to take more unintentional abuse because they are typically built for field service work. I don't try to drop meters, but it happens and I have had cheap meters explode when they hit the floor. There is nothing like the old Fluke 8060A. One hand push-button operation, but they are now obsolete. The 87s are great but expensive too. I'd look for a new True RMS with a rugged shock absorbing case with the voltage ranges as stated above or better. You can find many new ones out there for about 75.00. Most likely it will last a lifetime. I know there are new Flukes out there for decent prices. One of my techs likes the New Extech? meters that he has for personal use for under 100.00. Anyways, as in anything of value to you, get the best one you can afford at the time that you are comfortable to work with.
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Post by Lefty on Jan 31, 2008 10:31:09 GMT -7
I've got a couple Flukes as well, but you can get by with a DVM from Radio Shack. I got one from when I was in school that will read caps which is very handy for when your eyes are too old/tired to read the print.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 31, 2008 11:28:16 GMT -7
I have a Fluke for my bench at home, and a cheap and sleazy Radio Shack one for my gig bag. That way if an amp falls on it I won't go into cardiac arrest.
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Post by prettynoiselab on Jan 31, 2008 23:06:07 GMT -7
Wow, thanks for all the recommendations. Looks like a Frys run is in order.
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Post by tjstrat on Apr 26, 2008 10:41:18 GMT -7
Pretty late for this, but I work for Ideal industries and we sell some excellent T&M gear, including very moderately priced multi and clamp meters.
Just a plug...
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