My high school junior has been wanting to get an electric guitar and amp ever since he started his summer job. On the way home last week, I asked my son if he was interested in going to a local pawn shop to see if there was an used guitar amp for sale. To our surprise, there was a decent Fender amp for sale, and immediately he search Ed for its reviews.  If he liked it, he did not show his liking to me.  When we got home, he excitingly told his mom where we had been and  that he found a good amp at a store. His mom told him to buy it if he really liked it and the price was reasonable. He could not wait until next day to get it, so we went to the store again and brought it home.

When we brought it home, we realized that he did not yet have an electric guitar to try it. He had planned to buy his guitar first the next day. He tested with his electronic keyboard and microphones. Unfortunately, besides making a loud popping sound upon plugging in and out it remained silent.  He was kind of disappointed, though hopeful that it would work once he got his guitar. 

Next evening, he bought a custom made guitar for a local band member with his first paycheck , and found out the band uses the same model of amp we bought.  That observation made him even more excited for his purchase.

The fun started when he plugged his guitar to his amp. It did NOT make any sound after the initial pop.  He and I started researching and debating what to do.  I started twitching the plug while he was thumping his string. Suddenly, we heard the purest sound and music.  It worked.

It turned out the jack was kind of worn out. We decided to disassemble it and fix it.  I am very glad that I was able to help troubleshoot it and fix it, a rare few hours spent without arguments.

Now he spends too much time with his guitar and amp.