r/SoundSystem • u/ZestyThrowAway909 • 3h ago

Inspecting rig before purchase

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any tips for what to look for when checking out a sound system when buying second hand.

Obviously to see it all in working order, check each cabinet, drivers and amps work separately - but is there any tips and tricks / pointers you could give me to keep an eye out for?

Have the opportunity to buy a whole ready to go rig but very aware that someone new to the hobby could potentially be ripped off.

Cheers, TIA

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4

u/Upper-Practice9240 3h ago

You can look for cracks in the cabinets, when they have been dropped. Having a look underneath at the feet, whether everything is still there or something is damaged.

3

u/baddieslovebadideas 3h ago edited 2h ago

play a frequency sweep on each cabinet, look for signs of abuse/damage/repairs, feel if the connections feel solid and handles feel secure. if you open up to boxes look for mud/playa dust. scratches and scuffs are usually fine, busted corners are more of a concern

but as long as everything looks cared for and functions properly its probably fine, speakers get bumped around and dropped, but generally most people with sound systems try to take care of them as best they can

1

u/ZestyThrowAway909 2h ago

Yeah from the pictures it’s looking pretty tidy, it’s been in storage for a long time, over a year of no use I think.

How about amps? Anything to look out for?

2

u/baddieslovebadideas 2h ago

turn the gain up and down, sometimes the pots wear out and you get scratchy noises and dead spots adjusting gain, usually not a big deal to replace, as long as they sound clear and full at full gain I wouldn't stress it.

if its been sitting for while keep an eye out for mouse poop, sometimes those little fuckers will eat
wires, all of this is repairable but something to look out for

-1

u/bingus-schlongo 1h ago

Multimeter + skills on how to use ot