Buying/trading a used amp: would you expect a power cable?

[TimR]

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1386348277' post='2299156']


Correction - the ebay one is free 48hr delivery within the UK.
[/quote]

Are you sure? A second class parcel is £2.60.

[Guest canonman]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1386341185' post='2299019']
I would be surprised if you can buy one for £1.50.

B&Q £4.99
Maplins £10.99

I can't think where else you'd get one less than a fiver.
[/quote]

Only a complete mug would pay Maplin's prices though!

They were cheaper than that when I worked for them, but not by much

[flyfisher]

I think we used to buy them for about 50p . . . . in 100s mind.

[Cat Burrito]

When I've previously sold amps I tended to include whatever came with it - instructions, lead etc plus any custom cover that I had made for it. I'd have no problem buying one without a lead but would rather assume that a seller would state "needs a kettle lead" and yes like most of you, I have a bunch of those lying around. It wouldn't spoil my day if an amp I'd bought showed up minus the cable but the mild sense of disappoint may mean I enjoy my next cup of tea slightly less.

[Jonnyboy Rotten]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1386348846' post='2299172']
Are you sure? A second class parcel is £2.60.
[/quote]

Read the delivery terms....I tried to post a screenshot but it won't let me for some reason.

[Dingus]

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1386344907' post='2299086']
Then it should also come with an instrument cable. The instrument cable is part of the amp. It's the part that connects it to the instrument. Oh, and a speaker lead if it's not a combo. The speaker cable is part of the amp, it's the part that connects it to the speaker.
[/quote]

Your reasoning is flawed here, my friend.

The power cable is part of the amplifier because it does not work as a discreet unit without it . The instrument cable is related to the instrument , not the amplifier. Besides which, there are alternative ways of using the amp other than plugging an instrument into it with a cable, but the amp itself will not serve [i]any[/i] of the purposes it was intended for without a power cable. That is the fundamental difference.

And if you bought the accompanying cabinet, the speaker lead should be included unless otherwise stated.

[Dingus]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1386320760' post='2298622']
Interesting to note that currently 109 members have voted on the crucial issue of power cables yet November's Composition Competition attracted only 26 votes in total. Thhhpp! Thpppp! Thhp! Thp!

Having said that, I actually missed the voting deadline (due to life issues) so appreciate the hypocrisy of this post.
[/quote]

Composition competetition my arse!

I never vote in any of these things. They can use your click to find out information about you and then sell it to Wonga.com and Rickenbacker. That's what I heard, anyway.

[discreet]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1386350610' post='2299200']
They can use your click to find out information about you and then sell it to Wonga.com and Rickenbacker.
[/quote]

The amount of time you spend on here, I expect Satan himself is even now poring over your entire browsing history.

BWA-HA-HA-HA! BWA-HA-HA-HA HAAAAAHHHHH!! *FX: Large Hall Reverb*

[Dingus]

Contrary to some opinions people are expressing by implication , using better quality power cables can in certain instances make tangible improvements to the overall sound quality on some audio equipment, including bass amps and cabs. Have the people who are scheptical about the effects of cables actually listed to an A/B test and heard the difference? I have, and can attest to the fact that in a lot of cases better cables can bring out a pretty dramatic improvement in overall sound .

[flyfisher]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1386351076' post='2299208']
Contrary to some opinions people are expressing by implication , using better quality power cables can in certain instances make tangible improvements to the overall sound quality on some audio equipment, including bass amps and cabs. Have the people who are scheptical about the effects of cables actually listed to an A/B test and heard the difference? I have, and can attest to the fact that in a lot of cases better cables can bring out a pretty dramatic improvement in overall sound .
[/quote]

Was it a double-blind test?

[Dingus]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1386350951' post='2299207']
The amount of time you spend on here, I expect Satan himself is even now poring over your entire browsing history.

BWA-HA-HA-HA! BWA-HA-HA-HA HAAAAAHHHHH!! *FX: Large Hall Reverb*
[/quote]

It only seems like I'm on here a lot.

In reality I am devoting more and more time to my escort work as well as my numerous charities, and only occasionally break off from my clients needs to dispense sage advice out what to do if the pickup mounting screws have rusted on your Westone Spectrum , what colour underpants Jaco wore with Weather Report and why Wayne Rooney would be better employed as a bin man.

[Dingus]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1386351276' post='2299212']
Was it a double-blind test?
[/quote]

No , but the fellow in the shop did wear glasses.

[Dr.Dave]

Yes - but I wouldn't trust it.

[Guest canonman]

When I buy a working second-hand amp, I expect it to come with a mains lead, although it's not a problem if it doesn't as I have dozens of brand new IEC leads knocking around.

If I buy an amp as non-working/spares or repairs to refurbish, and it comes with an IEC lead, then I usually bin it anyway and use one of my brand new leads. If the amp has a wired-in mains cable then I'll replace it if there's any sign of damage to it.

As I have access to PAT testing gear and I'm qualified to use it, I wouldn't sell/trade an amplifier without making sure it's been tested first. If this involves fitting a replacement mains cable or replacing an old Bulgin round-pin socket with a modern IEC socket before I test it, then so be it. Better safe than sorry!

[jmchich]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1386350325' post='2299194']
Your reasoning is flawed here, my friend.

The power cable is part of the amplifier because it does not work as a discreet unit without it . The instrument cable is related to the instrument , not the amplifier. Besides which, there are alternative ways of using the amp other than plugging an instrument into it with a cable, but the amp itself will not serve [i]any[/i] of the purposes it was intended for without a power cable. That is the fundamental difference.

And if you bought the accompanying cabinet, the speaker lead should be included unless otherwise stated.
[/quote]

This. Plus the choice of instrument cable is related to how much you can spend, the length you want, how resistant to wear and tear you want it to be, etc etc. Similarly, but possibly less so, with speaker cables. Plus speaker cables have different plugs according to the cab they are plugging into.

Personally, as a newbie buying a cheap amp, I'd prefer to have a power lead included, but I'd understand and be fine if it didn't, given the price. But if I spend £300+ on an amp, I'd expect the power cable it was bought with (or a decent replacement) to be included.

[JTUK]

I'd expect the correct cable to be supplied with an amp.... even though I have a good few spares...

[flyfisher]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1386345052' post='2299092']
It should come with a bass as well. And a bass player. And his wife. And dog. And so on.
[/quote]

Well I wouldn't go that far, though the dog should come with a lead, obviously.

[tauzero]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1386351076' post='2299208'] Contrary to some opinions people are expressing by implication , using better quality power cables can in certain instances make tangible improvements to the overall sound quality on some audio equipment, including bass amps and cabs. Have the people who are scheptical about the effects of cables actually listed to an A/B test and heard the difference? I have, and can attest to the fact that in a lot of cases better cables can bring out a pretty dramatic improvement in overall sound . [/quote]

Yebbut you're mentally deranged.

[TimR]

New amps come with power leads. Used amps should too.

I wasn't impressed when I had to buy a 1/4" jack-jack cable when I spent nearly £700 on an amp and cab in a dealers. But the amp definitely came with a lead.

And a cardboard box.

And instruction booklet.

And some silica gel packs.

Edited December 6, 2013 by TimR

[Beedster]

[quote name='Martin E' timestamp='1386260807' post='2297891']
More a case of practicality perhaps?
Having neatly packed your amp in bubble wrap and found a nice box to fit you then realise you have this odd shaped lumpy thing to include as well.
[/quote]

That has happened to me more than once, silly perhaps but there it is

[seashell]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1386363581' post='2299433']


Well I wouldn't go that far, though the dog should come with a lead, obviously.
[/quote]