• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cats and rat fur

I was thinking of leaving my amp at the guitarist's house, where we practice, so I wouldn't have to schlep it around. But my speaker cab is covered in rat fur, and the guitarist has a cat that might think the cab is a carpet-covered scratching post. Has anyone had any experience with carpet-covered cabs in homes with cats?
 
Yes. My cat once ripped a 6" hole in the rat fur of brand new Eden cab within 24 hours.

I have had rat fur cabs that he didn't tear up and there are two cats at our practice spce that don't tear up the guitarists' rat fur. But I now live in a rat fur free home.

Your options:
1. Schlep it back and forth
2. Get a cover for it
3. Take your chances
 
Try bitter apple spray, it helps but you have to regularly reapply it.

Some cats don't, but most do. It's built-in. Mine keeps trying to destroy the Bergantino 322 (anybody want to buy a somewhat frizzy Berg 322?)

If you have a cat, you accept scratching as part of the deal. Or you declaw your cats, but this is like cutting off someone's fingers to stop them playing folk music--effective, er, and. And, now that I think about it, a very poor analogy, as I can't think of a reason that it would not be appropriate in this specific example. But it's cruel to do it to cats, anyway.
 
I like my cats enjoying my ratfur covered gear, if someone else doesn't like it....up theirs.

Some things (like living, breathing things), are more important than other things (like carpet-covered inanimate objects). If somebody fails to see that, I feel sorry for them....and whoever has the displeasure of living with them.:hmm:

That said, I do vacuum off my stuff for more "classy" type gigs, even though their $#!+ stinks too.
 
Please forgive my ignorance, but do they really use real rat fur to cover cabs? Or is that just called rat fur because, maybe, it looks and feels like rat fur?

Manufacturers started with black carpeting which picked up the nick-name rat fur. There are a few other colors available now, it made for a sturdy covering.

I think rat fur fell out of favor because it would smell like cigarettes after playing in some establishments. With more no smoking venues, it has become less of an issue.

=wr=
 
..... They will wake up in the middle of hte night just to f with it. I have proof. caught on camera.

I thought they only did that stuff if they knew you were watching...:)

Seriously, a washable cover is about the only effective defense.
We have 3 cats, and they WILL sleep on top of the cab, but at least you can fairly easily remove the fur from the cover and they don't seem to care for scratching it when covered.
 
Please forgive my ignorance, but do they really use real rat fur to cover cabs? Or is that just called rat fur because, maybe, it looks and feels like rat fur?

Rats are plentiful any place you find large concentrations of people and thus, our garbage. Being the opportunists we are, upon realizing we could not exterminate every last rat, we found ways to capitalize on them....hence, ratfur.
 
Has anyone had any experience with carpet-covered cabs in homes with cats?

Ha! Are you kidding? :eyebrow:

My advice: Don't do it unless a) you keep the cover on the cab at all times when it's not in use; b) you can trust the guitarist's judgement when/if he promises you that the cat cannot get into the room during non-rehearsal times.

Otherwise, prepare yourself for the rat fur to get shredded! :eek:

MM