Tire balancing is an important component of your routine automotive maintenance schedule. Like changing the oil, balancing the tires is something that vehicle owners are encouraged to do several times throughout the course of the year. This is also something you’ll want to make sure to have done by automotive service professionals. There are […]

While most estimates suggest wheel bearings should last between 75,000 and 150,000 miles, the actual lifespan depends on:

If you notice signs of a bad wheel bearing, visit your nearest Meineke location. Once you bring your vehicle to us, we’ll perform a thorough diagnosis to honestly determine if a replacement is necessary.

Balancing your cleaner and gained sounds is often a challenge, especially in a band context. With V130’s massive headroom, the channel masters give you the control you need to make sure all your tones are heard loud and clear. People have asked why the tone controls are common to all modes: our answer is that the EQ is optimised to work across the range. Get it balanced to your chosen cab – not too much, not too little – and V130 stays poised across all modes.

Keep in mind that wheel bearings are not the same as engine bearings, as there is no constant source of lubrication for wheel bearings. This means they must be tight enough to keep water and road dust out. They also support the entire vehicle weight while driving, so they endure abuse from rough roads and potholes, as well as lateral forces when turning.

A series effects loop sits between pre and power sections for whatever pedals you want to put in there. We find that modern digital delays and reverbs can sound cleaner in the loop, while more traditional analogue delays, modualtions and so on sound great straight into the front of the amp. The only ‘right’ way is the one that sounds best to you.

Should you invest the time and money required to have your vehicle’s suspension lowered? It’s a question that many drivers never even think about. Before you make the decision to proceed with lowering your vehicle’s suspension, consider the options and understand the pros and cons that a lowered suspension entails. Why Get a […]

​ The V30 Jack has two channels: very high headroom clean and very heavy overdrive (just as Guthrie Govan wanted it). In V130 we’ve added two modes in between. The Clean channel gets a ‘crunch’ mode for light breakup and classic overdrive that’s reminiscent of sounds in V40 and The Sheriff 44. The Overdrive channel’s extra mode is Voice I, derived from channel 1 of VX The Kraken with the input of Rabea Massaad. They’re all footswitchable.

If you’re driving on the highway and a wheel breaks off, it’s because a wheel bearing failed. What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing, and what can you do about it? Here, we explore wheel bearings, including what they are, how they work, and how to tell if they’re about to fall off.

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls held together in a metal ring called a race. The race is located inside the hub, and each wheel has one. At the center of the wheel is a hollow piece of metal called a hub. The wheel bearings fit tightly inside this hub and ride on a metal axle shaft, helping reduce friction when the wheel spins.

Most people are aware of the need for general car maintenance. It’s essential to take care of the basics, like regular oil changes and checking battery terminals for corrosion. But, getting an alignment is just as important. Many think it’s simply a minor irritation when your alignment starts to get off. The truth […]

Evolved from V30 The Jack model, upscaled in power, and adding shades of V40, The Sheriff 44 and the VX The Kraken ​ V130 Super Jack players will find the massive clean headroom and heavy overdrive that they love… and then some. We've also added two modes in between: one for V40- and Sheriff-style pushed clean and classic drives; the other for channel 1 Kraken-derived gain. The four 6L6 valve power section can also be switched from 100 to 30 watts for even more tonal flexibility. All clean, all gain, effortless power. The Jack changed from the Countess in late 2020 to better represent the versatility of the amplifier, it’s still the same amplifier inside and the changes made are purely visual and in name.

The best advice is to head to your nearest auto shop that offers wheel repair and replacement services. If you’re on the road, slow down steadily and avoid turning rapidly. If you drive long distances on a bad wheel bearing, you’ll eventually lose control of the vehicle, and the wheel will stop suddenly.

The amount of miles your vehicle can endure will depend on how extensive the damage is and the conditions on the road. If you’re concerned about replacement costs, note that the average estimate for a replacement is about $350 for each bearing.

Take all the hassle out of replacing output valves with the V130’s external bias measurement points and adjustment. All you need is a new set of power valves and a multimeter. It’s fast, safe and reliable – you can find full instructions are in the amp’s manual.

100 watts of 6L6 power section can be eye-poppingly loud if you want it. But it’s not just about volume: V130’s high-headroom abilities give you clarity and massive dynamic range right across the loudness spectrum. It’s a feel and response that many players love. You can also switch down to 30 watts for a less bold feel, lower volume and more power-stage ‘give’.

You already know your car cannot function safely without sturdy and properly fit wheels. A wheel is complex, and several components must be integrated for it to function safely—including the bearings.

If you want to know how to check for a bad wheel bearing, place your car on a jack stand, grip your hands on the 6 and 12 o’clock positions of the tire, and then spin the wheel to see if it wiggles. It’s also a great way to learn how to tell which wheel bearing is bad.