Gargoyle's post reminds me of my father.

He'd been a Radar Fitter in the RAF for his national service ("The
Apprentice knows it needs hitting, the Engineer knows where, but only
the Fitter knows how hard!"), and mentioned a similar approach to diagnosing blown fuse failures.

The fuse would be replaced by an appropriate length cut from a 6-inch nail and the kit powered up again. The components that burnt out were then replaced...

I'm not sure how applicable that approach is either to punkfolkrocker's situation, or modern equipment in general, but it raises a smile.