recommend a good DMM??? That won't break the bank??

[playonit]

I think it's time to retire my cheapo deluxe Radio Shack meter

[collinsamps]

Slightly used Flukes on ebay........77an, 77III etc dirt cheap.

[billyz]

I second the Fluke. Look for an 87 with a weak display. You can get the new elastomers/contacts to fix for $10, and it's easy to do. When you consider the amount of work you can do with a good meter and the durability of a FLuke, it really is the best value. Make sure it has the leads, saves money.

[joebob]

I bought an Ideal multimeter, google 'Ideal multimeter'. I bought a brand new one off ebay for about $60, new they were a $110. They have many different models. I believe Loews sells them too.

Dave

[Structo]

The Meterman brand is a bit cheaper than the Flukes.
I was told that they are a clone of the Fluke or might even be some subsidiary of Fluke.

I have the Meterman 37R meter and it is a very high quality meter.
True RMS, cap tester,diode, logic, frequency.

Much more meter than I need in guitar amp work but it is nice.
I don't believe that model is in production any longer.

I think I paid $120 locally for mine.

[M Fowler]

And what exactly is wrong with the $7.95 meters at Harbor Freight

Mark

[C Moore]

And what exactly is wrong with the $7.95 meters at Harbor Freight

Mark

There is nothing wrong with that meter or this one...

http://www.tequipment.net/Amprobe35XP-A ... 5194402522

[playonit]

Thanks ALL...... keeping my eye on the Bay with your suggestions... I like both the Fluke 77-3 and the amprobe 37....

[labb]

I have six I & E's that work for me. The Co. provides them with their DMM's. We will practically buy them any brand they want (In reason). They all have Flukes..Some different models, from 11's on up but they are all flukes..(For what ever that is worth) As for the Harbor Freight/ Walmart etc..it is just a matter of what you want out of your meter. Basically in a guitar amp I think you can get by with a meter that will read DC voltage up to 500 volts, AC volts up to 150 volt and continuity. Resistance, caps and diode readings are nice to have but one could actually get by with out those functions.

[selloutrr]

if you cant afford a fluke try a sears craftsman at least it's got a warranty

[Motörbööt]

Hi,

this company is located in Germany but you can buy used professional, secondhand, refurbished Test Equipment, communication and scientific equipment, government surplus electronics, electronic equipment for hobbyists, and some special electron tubes.

http://www.helmut-singer.de/

Website is in english as well.

Greetz from Berlin

[grindliner]

I second the Fluke. Look for an 87 with a weak display. You can get the new elastomers/contacts to fix for $10, and it's easy to do.

Actually the fix is most often times free.

I have an 87 that had a weak display. My employer had a vendor show, and RS electronics had a Fluke Rep in their booth. He told me to remove the LCD from the meter, and go over the contacts with a pencil eraser, that 9 times out of ten this will fix the weak display. It fixed mine.

Also most people don't read their manuals and realize that they have batteries in them as well.

[GibGa]

+1 Ideal as a very good meter. Popular with HVAC tech who burn out on Fluke prices. I got a mint true RMS meter at ebay a couple years back for 20-30$ as I recall. Model 61-361. For an amatuer amp and other stuff builder it is good value/accuracy.
Possibly a flood of Flukes now at ebay so prices may be relatively low for them currently.

[tubeswell]

I use a Digitech QM-1320. Works okay and does everything you need (incl capacitance), measures up to a couple of thousand Megs on everything, and comes with a puny signal tracer and man-sized test probe handles

[Phil_S]

You can't beat the Fluke. This is particularly true if you want to meter current (Amps). It appears that the Fluke is the standard by which all other meters are judged. I'm sure there are other good meters, but I hear a lot about Fluke.

If you don't need a portable meter, you can haunt eBay for an older bench meter. I was able to buy an 8600A for very little money. Careful, don't make the same error I did. Pass on the bench meters with the rechargable NiCd batteries. Get one that runs directly off the a/c. Anyhow, I ended up with a great meter. I just didn't anticpate the cost of replacing the batteries, which, of course, I did myself for not very much, but it was more than I paid for the meter. There are other good brands of bench meters that you'll see out there that are also industrial strength like the Fluke.