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

[Roland Rock]

I'll not go into detail as I don't want to skew things, but a couple of amp transactions recently have contradicted my way of thinking in this matter. This is certainly not a whinge or complaint about the people I transacted with, just a way to see what the consensus is.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Roland Rock

[flyfisher]

I voted yes because they are so cheap (about £1.50) that I would always include one for anything I sold and if I bought something that didn't include one then they are so cheap (did I mention about £1.50) that I wouldn't worry about it and just get a spare one out of my box full of them.

Would people get upset if a bass is sold without a plectrum? I'd suggest it's a similar level of triviality.

[Conan]

They generally come with a kettle lead when you buy them new, so yes - I would expect the power connector to be included in the sale. If it is the buyer's first or only amp, I think it would be rude to sell them the amp with no way of plugging it in!

I would have voted for options 1 [b][i]and[/i][/b] 3 had that been available!

[Conan]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1386250804' post='2297694']
Would people get upset if a bass is sold without a plectrum? I'd suggest it's a similar level of triviality.
[/quote]

I don't think it is. You can use a bass in the absence of a plectrum - but try using an amp with no power cable!

[barkin]

If I sell an amp, I'd include one.

As for buying - I wouldn't really care either way. I've literally dozens of good tested ones here already.

[EliasMooseblaster]

I'd have also gone for options 1 and 3; in the end I went with 3. I've got into a strange habit of hoarding kettle leads ever since a bit of a hiccup with a return to a mail order company - they replaced the amp very promptly but forgot to send a cable with the new one! Now I always check before I part with my cash...and this minor incident was nearly 12 years ago! Maybe I'm just a bit neurotic.

As flyfisher said, the things are easy enough to find and replace. I think what I really worry about is making sure I've got one with a 5A fuse in it, as everything else in the house seems to run off 3 or 13A. Not that I've managed to blow a fuse in an amp to date...maybe I really am just neurotic!

[tonyf]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1386250804' post='2297694']
Would people get upset if a bass is sold without a plectrum? I'd suggest it's a similar level of triviality.
[/quote]

This.

TBH, I'd care not either way. In terms of euro leads, I've probably got at least 4 or 5 spares kicking around in my leads bag. Further ones in the band's leads box. For me, it seems a bit trivial if you're quibbling about a power lead. After all, you should as a working musician have a number of them as spares.

Mind you, flipping that on it's head, you should be including one of your many spares as part of the deal.

So there. That's me covered for any offence taken.

[Conan]

I don't have any spares!!! Does that make me a bad person?

[tonyf]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386251576' post='2297713']
I don't have any spares!!! Does that make me a bad person?
[/quote]

Yes. Back in ya box!

[Roland Rock]

Thanks for responses so far. I've amended the poll so that you can vote for more than one option

[superclive]

Why do kettle leads seem to multiply?

When everything else seems to disappear?

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='superclive' timestamp='1386251698' post='2297719']
Why do kettle leads seem to multiply?

When everything else seems to disappear?
[/quote]

Just like me, they long to be,

Close to yooooou....

[cheddatom]

you get them with every PC and Monitor you buy, so if you're like me, you have hundreds of kettle leads and you just don't care.

[RhysP]

[quote name='tonyf' timestamp='1386251529' post='2297712']
After all, you should as a working musician have a number of them as spares.
[/quote]

Big assumption that everyone that uses an amp is a "working musician" there.

[flyfisher]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386251147' post='2297702']
I don't think it is. You can use a bass in the absence of a plectrum - but try using an amp with no power cable!
[/quote]

Fair point - I was thinking more about the cost. But, as others have mentioned, a spare lead really should be in every player's gig bag. I bet few of us don't carry a £20-ish set of spare strings or a £10+ spare instrument lead, so why not a £1.50 mains lead?

[barkin]

Dunno - I'll ask our guitarist next time I see him...

[Gazza 2905]

[quote name='barkin' timestamp='1386251331' post='2297707']
If I sell an amp, I'd include one.

As for buying - I wouldn't really care either way. I've literally dozens of good tested ones here already.
[/quote]

This.

I think it's reasonable to expect a power lead to be included when you buy an amp, because it won't work without it.
But because most of us already have an assortment at home, it's largely irrelevant.

[tonyf]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1386255863' post='2297796']
Big assumption that everyone that uses an amp is a "working musician" there.
[/quote]

Fair enough. You're right

[Martin E]

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.
Just a note in your ad saying power lead excluded for ease of packing explains all.

[gary mac]

I voted yes

However, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[Dad3353]

My Hiwatt has a Bulgin plug. The amp would be difficult to power up without it. One shouldn't assume that everyone has 'spares' of anything that came with the item when new. A bass sold without strings..? After all, we all have spares, don't we..? Well don't we..?

[Jonnyboy Rotten]

I would be surprised if the amp did not come with a cable but I wouldn't be fussed if it didn't, you can pick up UK to IEC mains lead dead easy for a few quid.

[pete.young]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1386260873' post='2297893']
My Hiwatt has a Bulgin plug.
[/quote]

I'd be taking that round to the amp tech in very short order to get the Bulgin plug replaced with something modern and safe.

I voted no, but there's one exception: if I was sold something as 'PAT Tested' I'd expect a tested lead to be included, since this affects the test period of the lead.

[RhysP]

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1386261595' post='2297902']
......you can pick up UK to IEC mains lead dead easy for a few quid.
[/quote]

Thank you for not saying "Kettle lead".

[Dad3353]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1386261627' post='2297904']
I'd be taking that round to the amp tech in very short order to get the Bulgin plug replaced with something modern and safe....
[/quote]

Thanks, and I understand the 'short' comings of these plugs (I'm old, too...). It's the same as fitting seatbelts to a XK120; one is 'vintage' with potential dangers, the other is more in line with modern thinking. I've checked the plug, and, for the use I have, it's reasonable. Good call, though.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Dad3353