[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1369499332' post='2089872']
Or if you're busting out the duct tape, just put a piece on top of your head with a quick sketch of your settings. Tried and tested. Half a dozen circles with a line to show which way they need to point and you've got instant recall!
The old ways are often the best.
[/quote]
i disagree and inclined to agree with mr wazoo - i regularly gig my amp with pre and master maxed out but i leave the EQ punched out but i use the shelf boost to up the low end only about 10% and cut the top end about the same - never have any problems - always sounds clean, no fade (hartke2500+410hydrive)
however
if some little oik was to ramp the low end shelf up past 50% and punch the EQ in and max the low end on the EQ as well then it will definitely start groaning under the pressure - despite all the reassuarances that they will keep the settings within reasonable limits once their up on stage you are at their mercy and it will only take one little selfish unthinking bedroom bassist diva to start maxing everything up because they're not hearing 'their sound' and you have instant recipe for amp/cab failure
having said that i dont think that many would actually change the settings - ive been to plenty of open mic nights with several bass players all rolling up with their own basses and plugging in and the only adjustments ive seen going on were very basic just to get the volume level correct if you were swapping for example between a high output active and a low output passive - i would even go so far as to say that most will respect other players rigs as they appreciate that the markbass or ampeg rig they are plugign in to is way better than anything they currently have or are likely to get in the very near future - but there are always exceptions and eventually somebody somewhere will get their rig well and truly ferked because of somebody else's inexperience and inability to listen to simple instructions
i think the bottom line is that it is a dynamic risk assessment - ie who rolls up asking and whether you feel you can trust them if you or your close friends cant vouch for them