I found them quite convenient when I moved from the U.S. to New Zealand. I just had to get new cords and plug 'em in. Of course, the amps, etc. were set up for wide supply range or switchable from 120V to 240V...
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Detachable power cords... Why?
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- Start date
I always assumed because it's easier to move an amp when it doesn't have the power cord hanging down
I have a gig bag full of extra speaker cables, extra power cables, extra strings, extra tuner, and some maintenance repair equipment. In my car trunk I have a nearly duplicate bag with everything I need. A few times when I was younger I looked like a jacka$$ by having to borrow a cable or not bringing an important piece of equipment.
It's good to take a spare couple hours when I have time to make sure I have all the miscellaneous parts I need if I get a short notice call. Also I've had the misfortune of working with more than one guitarist who forgot something and here we were two hours before a gig driving somewhere to find a part instead of setting up, limbering, and relaxing. I hate that.
Having said that, I love the detachable cable. It makes the amp universal, like said before, those cables are fairly standard. I wish I could have some of my older amps power cables removed and power receptacles added except I don't have the skill to complete that.. .
It's good to take a spare couple hours when I have time to make sure I have all the miscellaneous parts I need if I get a short notice call. Also I've had the misfortune of working with more than one guitarist who forgot something and here we were two hours before a gig driving somewhere to find a part instead of setting up, limbering, and relaxing. I hate that.
Having said that, I love the detachable cable. It makes the amp universal, like said before, those cables are fairly standard. I wish I could have some of my older amps power cables removed and power receptacles added except I don't have the skill to complete that.. .
Yeah, I thought so too. And no matter how well I wrap the cable, it always falls off those "convenience posts" designed to hold the cable wrapped in place behind the amp....
I like it because it means if someone trips over it it doesn't yank the guts out of my amp, rather it just unplugs it.
The answer about easier to sell it around the world makes sense--and by that reasoning you should be able to take it to different places with different power chords--I also find it easier to carry it without the cord falling down & dragging on the ground.
Guitar players have it easier with their open back combos; perfect storage in the back for that dangling fixed power cable. 
One thing that I can say: About 2 years ago, I bought a couple of old used Carlsbro Cobra keyboard combos. I already
had a Carlsbro Viper bass combo and a Sessionette 75. All require P.A.T. testing for portable use. I took the Cobras to
be tested at a Music shop. They failed and the shop-keeper, a rock guitarist, wondered why. I said check the mains leads.
The leads failed on their own but the combos passed with new leads. A bit of info for those buying 2nd hand, old tech
amplifiers etc.
had a Carlsbro Viper bass combo and a Sessionette 75. All require P.A.T. testing for portable use. I took the Cobras to
be tested at a Music shop. They failed and the shop-keeper, a rock guitarist, wondered why. I said check the mains leads.
The leads failed on their own but the combos passed with new leads. A bit of info for those buying 2nd hand, old tech
amplifiers etc.
In case it hasn't already been mentioned, just wrap a bit of electrician's tape around the end and it should then fit snugly. Any tape may do, but I prefer the black electrician's tape because it's a bit spongy.
The question should be "How gullible, or just plain stupid and irresponsible are you?"
- Aug 21, 2003
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I think this is the first post to mention travel.
To me the convince factor is the first thing I'm thinking off.
Second is the length.
I used to real short ones when I used to use a rack and little longer ones for my board.
Wow never thought there were actually people that LIKED attached power cords.
Nothing worse than moving an amp with a powercord dangling by the side... Grr!
Also nice to be able to switch for longer version, or powercon version or ...
Nothing worse than moving an amp with a powercord dangling by the side... Grr!
Also nice to be able to switch for longer version, or powercon version or ...
FYI
Per any AHJ (authority having jurisdiction), strain relief must be used when lethal voltages are present at the connection (over 48 volts).
UL specs in this case --- must support the weight of the device, up to 15 lbs. Been there.... done that.
Captive power cables are a nuisance. I have to replace the one on my old SVT and despite the fact the amp hasn't been modified and is in good shape, I think I'm going to stick a powercon on there. Also I'm pretty sure the captive cable even in its best days wouldn't have supported that thing. 
I had a Fender Bassman 50 in 1972. I put my own 3 wire min "twist lock" on the power cord so I only had to stuff 6" of pigtail into the back of the head. I did not want to damage the tubes. I must have been an anal 13 year old.
As others have said, You can forget the cord to your equipment as you can forget to bring an instrument or speaker cable to the gig.
Power cords with IEC 320 ends are used on lots of stuff. If you forget yours, look for a computer at the site as a possible source for the cord.
I carry extra cords in many varieties---- guess I'm still anal.
As others have said, You can forget the cord to your equipment as you can forget to bring an instrument or speaker cable to the gig.
Power cords with IEC 320 ends are used on lots of stuff. If you forget yours, look for a computer at the site as a possible source for the cord.
I carry extra cords in many varieties---- guess I'm still anal.
I replace them with right angle plugs and leave them on.
Wow, I am amazed at all the love for removable cords.
-- Travel: how many of you regularly use your amp in different countries? Be honest!
-- When cords were attached, amps had ways to store them. With detachable cords, eh, where does it go? If the amp is in a rack or transported in a gig bag, great, but my GK combo drives me nuts because there is no place to store the cord because the cover has no pockets. That's why they are so easy to lose IMHO.
-- The replies that forgetting your cord means you are disorganized is silly, it wouldn't be a problem if the cord was attached. Carrying some spares just in case you forget the cord...c'mon this is just a rationalization.
-- The statement that if you forget the cord "the venue should have a few lying around" had me ROTFL. I'm usually working at venues where I bring extra cables in case some are missing from the PA! Now if 7-11 stocked IEC cables so I could get one at any hour of the day or night, I'd feel better
-- The statement that if someone trips on the cord, it will unplug from the amp only holds when the amp is an SVT.
An IEC plug is not that easy to dislodge and a lightweight amp is going flying whether the cord is attached or not.
-- I still recall the gig where the drummer brought his JBL Eon setup for PA. He brought the mixer and four powered cabs and no power cords. The singer had to run a bullet mike (because it was the only mike we had with a 1/4" plug) though a guitar amp all night. That sealed the issue for me.
-- Travel: how many of you regularly use your amp in different countries? Be honest!
-- When cords were attached, amps had ways to store them. With detachable cords, eh, where does it go? If the amp is in a rack or transported in a gig bag, great, but my GK combo drives me nuts because there is no place to store the cord because the cover has no pockets. That's why they are so easy to lose IMHO.
-- The replies that forgetting your cord means you are disorganized is silly, it wouldn't be a problem if the cord was attached. Carrying some spares just in case you forget the cord...c'mon this is just a rationalization.
-- The statement that if you forget the cord "the venue should have a few lying around" had me ROTFL. I'm usually working at venues where I bring extra cables in case some are missing from the PA! Now if 7-11 stocked IEC cables so I could get one at any hour of the day or night, I'd feel better
-- The statement that if someone trips on the cord, it will unplug from the amp only holds when the amp is an SVT.
An IEC plug is not that easy to dislodge and a lightweight amp is going flying whether the cord is attached or not.-- I still recall the gig where the drummer brought his JBL Eon setup for PA. He brought the mixer and four powered cabs and no power cords. The singer had to run a bullet mike (because it was the only mike we had with a 1/4" plug) though a guitar amp all night. That sealed the issue for me.
