Leaving cables plugged in Amp
- Thread starter Open lane
- Start date
LLL
New member
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
I always leave my speaker cables connected whenever possible, in case I have a bout of Alzheimer's and turn my amp on without a load.
I always leave my speaker cables connected whenever possible, in case I have a bout of Alzheimer's and turn my amp on without a load.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
Good idea. I've been spraying the contact cleaner on a 1/4" plug and using that like a Q-Tip.
Good idea. I've been spraying the contact cleaner on a 1/4" plug and using that like a Q-Tip.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
No, I think I read that in Tom Mitchell's book on amp maintenance. It seems like a good idea.
No, I think I read that in Tom Mitchell's book on amp maintenance. It seems like a good idea.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
I always leave them in, mainly because the contacts are basically just springs. And what kills a spring? It isn't constant tension. Repeated cycling is what kills springs.
I always leave them in, mainly because the contacts are basically just springs. And what kills a spring? It isn't constant tension. Repeated cycling is what kills springs.
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
^^^Exactly
They'll already be in and out enough just from normal activity, even just the occasional head/cab switch-around or just moving things around.
No need to hasten the wear and tear on purpose. lol
^^^Exactly
They'll already be in and out enough just from normal activity, even just the occasional head/cab switch-around or just moving things around.
No need to hasten the wear and tear on purpose. lol
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
It's plated too, and you can wear the plating off long term. Mostly I leave the head/cab connected so I don't accidentally smoke something though.
It's plated too, and you can wear the plating off long term. Mostly I leave the head/cab connected so I don't accidentally smoke something though.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
In days of yore, 1/4" plugs and sockets were used in telephone exchanges, where they were plugged and unplugged many many thousands of times with no detriment (hence 'phone plugs'). They are designed to be repeatedly connected/ disconnected.
I would suggest leaving things plugged together for long periods of time is worse than the alternative (the 'dissimilar metal' effect can occur, and the 'self-cleaning' aspect is negated). For those who worry about turning their amp on with the speaker unplugged, the answer is very simple .... coil your speaker cable and place it on top of your amp as close as possible to the power switch, so you will see it before you switch the amp on.
And I wish some of you guys were less enthusiastic about squirting various spray products into amps and other gear.
In days of yore, 1/4" plugs and sockets were used in telephone exchanges, where they were plugged and unplugged many many thousands of times with no detriment (hence 'phone plugs'). They are designed to be repeatedly connected/ disconnected.
I would suggest leaving things plugged together for long periods of time is worse than the alternative (the 'dissimilar metal' effect can occur, and the 'self-cleaning' aspect is negated). For those who worry about turning their amp on with the speaker unplugged, the answer is very simple .... coil your speaker cable and place it on top of your amp as close as possible to the power switch, so you will see it before you switch the amp on.
And I wish some of you guys were less enthusiastic about squirting various spray products into amps and other gear.
LLL
New member
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
Speaking of spraying spray products into amps...
For keeping contacts clean and pots smooth, Caig Deoxit is the bee's knees:
https://www.google.com/#q=caig+deoxit
For pots, add the spray straw to the can, point at the slot at the side of the pot and quickly give it a shot (don't make a mess).
Then turn the pot back and forth several times.
Fixed many a tough, dead-spotted or crackly pot for me.
Speaking of spraying spray products into amps...
For keeping contacts clean and pots smooth, Caig Deoxit is the bee's knees:
https://www.google.com/#q=caig+deoxit
For pots, add the spray straw to the can, point at the slot at the side of the pot and quickly give it a shot (don't make a mess).
Then turn the pot back and forth several times.
Fixed many a tough, dead-spotted or crackly pot for me.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
It looks like Switchcraft are rated at 10,000 cycles. Who knows about the Chinese knockoffs.
What's the dissimilar metal? Aren't both played with some alloy of nickel?
Either way it's 6 of one, half dozen of another, right?
I'm sure the quality of the connectors is of 2017 is of equal quality as from 1910 too right?
It looks like Switchcraft are rated at 10,000 cycles. Who knows about the Chinese knockoffs.
What's the dissimilar metal? Aren't both played with some alloy of nickel?
Either way it's 6 of one, half dozen of another, right?
Last edited:
PAPADON
New member
Re: Leaving cables plugged in Amp
I discussed this once with a structural engineer back when I used to build houses. What I was asking him about was the metal straps that are set into the concrete slab and attached to the framing to keep things in place. My question was, "why do building inspectors require that the straps be replaced if they get bent over". His answer was that bending the straps causes them to lose their tensile strength so my guess is the constant bending is worse than constant tension.
I discussed this once with a structural engineer back when I used to build houses. What I was asking him about was the metal straps that are set into the concrete slab and attached to the framing to keep things in place. My question was, "why do building inspectors require that the straps be replaced if they get bent over". His answer was that bending the straps causes them to lose their tensile strength so my guess is the constant bending is worse than constant tension.
