Does it really matter?

[mwbassace]

I'm all on board with making cables, but...and I ask this in all seriousness...is there a liability issue with a non-licensed person manufacturing a power cable?

I'm reasonably sure there could be an OSHA issue. They really don't like to see unsafe extension cords on job sites.

And if one cooked their gear with a home-made power cable, I would think the warranty would be worthless.

But the first statement is spot-on. Spend the $$ on quality-made power cords.

OSHA is an occupational oversight entity & I don't believe would have authority over a weekend warrior band. Guess it would depend on how "official" the band is as far as being an entertainment contractor.

I can also say from years of experierience in nukes, auto plants, refiinery's, power plants, foundry's & the like using SOOW cable that said cable with proper NEMA cord ends is just as, or more, safe than any off the shelf extension cord. And is way more durable.

 

[Marko 1]

Invalid Link Removed
Here's what we use. It has an "outlet" every 5'. We love them.
Invalid Link Removed

I have two older versions of that, 12-3, one for front and sometimes one for the back of the stage. They're awesome.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Here's something else your buddy should buy. $400 for a 4-foot patch cable. Guaranteed. It sounds MUCH better!

LCDi and iSINE Series Premium Cable

 

[Killing Floor]

Yeah your PA is ridin dirty.

 

[DJ Bebop]

We are gearing up for our first gig as a band. The guys who owns the PA equipment and just purchased a couple of these 50 foot extensions (3-prong to IEC) for the powered subs and mains. We are all chipping in on new acquisitions for the gigs and we need a couple more.

View attachment 4714742

These cost about three times more than a regular extension cord of the same length and rated current. He maintains it will “dirty up“ the power if we plug the cables that came with the PA into extension cords. I think that if we use extension cords that are rated for enough current and plug the original IEC cords into an appropriate gauge extension cord, there should be no issue. What are the thoughts of those with experience in this world?

Get these...
Victor Wooten Power Cord Guitar Bass Amp Audio Power Cable | Essential Sound Products

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Get these...
Victor Wooten Power Cord Guitar Bass Amp Audio Power Cable | Essential Sound Products

Oh, Vic! That’s a good one! Maybe I’ll just daisy chain 8 of ‘em and hope I don’t really need the whole fitty feet! Saved myself $199, so it’s only $1592!

 

[DrThumpenstein]

You're right, he's wrong. End of story. Except he owns the PA gear.

Yeah, there’s a thread about that right now and I feel like it’s his gear, his call. I just wasn’t down with overpaying for something unnecessarily.

We had band practice tonight and I told him about this thread. I didn’t show it to him. Too many of y’all said he’s an idiot! He’s not one of those, just misled. By his uncle, who ran lights and sound for one of the venues in town, for a number of national acts including Bon Jovi and, yes, KISS! I guess he was under the impression that that gave him some credulity.

Thanks again everybody, this was a fun little thread!

 

[seamonkey]

Build our own cables with locking IEC ends
https://smile.amazon.com/Rewireable-IEC320-C13-Accidental-Unplugging-Disconnections/dp/B01DCFVXKK
Or other similar ones.

Or better yet, newer pro subs, tops, and lights are now using PowerCon
No plugs pulling out with PowerCon. They are like SpeakOns but for power only.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I bought 50 foot and a 100 foot 12-3 chords and didn't charge anyone. In fact our Front Man bought his own 100 foot 12-3 as well. I don't get the charging everyone in the band mentality. Does he plan yo give you back your share if you leave?

Well, as I mentioned, he didn’t charge anybody anything, just asked politely if anyone minded chipping in. I don’t mind, I just want the money to be well spent.

Something I didn’t mention is that the guy just spent about $10k on a really nice electronic drum kit that allows us to play most anywhere. And he just upgraded the PA with a better mixer. I’m not in for $10k and I have a high-end rig. So it’s not unreasonable to help a brother out.

And yes, I just admitted: it’s the drummer.

 

[Wasnex]

If it's his system and it needs more cords, he is free to buy what ever he wants (or feels is necessary). I am not down for chipping in. I wouldn't be down to chip in to buy him less expensive 12 gauge extension chords either.

Likewise I don't expect him to chip in when I want a new amp, cab, bass, strap, strings, instrument cable, speaker cable, tuner, effects, etc.

For the record I own quite a bit of bass gear and PA gear, and nobody helped me buy any of it.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

If it's his system and it needs more cords, he is free to buy what ever he wants (or feels is necessary). I am not down for chipping in. I wouldn't be down to chip in to buy him less expensive 12 gauge extension chords either.

Likewise I don't expect him to chip in when I want a new amp, cab, bass, strap, strings, instrument cable, speaker cable, tuner, effects, etc.

For the record I own quite a bit of bass gear and PA gear, and nobody helped me buy any of it.

Yeah, I get it, but he wasn’t asking for gifts, just for someone else to help shoulder the load. He’s not acting like he’d expect anybody to leave behind something that they bought if we were to split.

I’ve always kept my own extension cord and gaffer’s tape in my gig bag. Nobody ever brings tape, and you can save some ankles and noses with that stuff!

 

[BlueTalon]

Also, once a year, he’ll need to take all his cords (electric and equipment) outside and spin them around in a circle over his head. This will centrifugally force all the dead electrons out of the cables for optimal tone and performance.

April 1st is a good day to do this

Hey, it's gotta happen sometime, right?

 

[Wasnex]

Yeah, I get it, but he wasn’t asking for gifts, just for someone else to help shoulder the load. He’s not acting like he’d expect anybody to leave behind something that they bought if we were to split.

I don't think you would have started this thread if you didn't feel that he was trying to take advantage.

Let him buy his own power cords, and your contribution will be to bring the gaffers tape.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Id be more concerned with the local venues and watering holes having proper grounding on their power outlets to beging with then if you will have dirty power from using a extension leed

 

[SteveCS]

You need to get artisanal extension cords with directional copper wiring. Make sure the electricity is running with the grain of the copper. Waaaaaay more picofarads that way. It's all about the tone, man.

Also, once a year, he’ll need to take all his cords (electric and equipment) outside and spin them around in a circle over his head. This will centrifugally force all the dead electrons out of the cables for optimal tone and performance.

...

Don't forget to align cables with ley lines for maximum fidelity!

Just gone 10:00 a.m. here and half-way through my first coffee - you guys just made my day already.

 

[12BitSlab]

Also, once a year, he’ll need to take all his cords (electric and equipment) outside and spin them around in a circle over his head. This will centrifugally force all the dead electrons out of the cables for optimal tone and performance.

April 1st is a good day to do this

Clockwise or counterclockwise?

(asking for a friend)

 

[Ekulati]

I hope he's that nit-picky about the quality of your band's music.

 

[neddyrow]

One of the guys on here gave me a link for 25' power cords. They work great and are black. it's nice to have the one cable from PA to outlet or power strip....plus all of our extension cords are contractor yellow and we try to keep those hidden for looks. No loss of power or signal at 25' and looks nicer. Seems like a happy medium.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I don't think you would have started this thread if you didn't feel that he was trying to take advantage.

Let him buy his own power cords, and your contribution will be to bring the gaffers tape.

Seriously, I started the thread to answer a pretty simple technical question because I wondered if more experienced people were of the same opinion as me about whether it would “dirty up” the power to use a regular and appropriately designed extension cord rather than overpaying for cord with a specific connector. He never asked anybody to give him anything and doesn’t expect the keys player to give him the cords he bought, just use them on our gigs. At no point was anyone trying to take advantage of anyone else, just a reasonable request for some of his band mates to help shoulder some of the financial outlay to get us out there. In fact, he was pleased that the consensus is clear that there should be no loss of current across those types of connectors. He was also grateful that the keys player ordered a couple of the IEC cords to bring to our gigs. But he never said or implied that keys was buying them for him as a gift.

Id be more concerned with the local venues and watering holes having proper grounding on their power outlets to beging with then if you will have dirty power from using a extension leed

I agree! We did confirm last night that he has a multimeter that he has used on all his gigs with other bands.

 

[Audiogremlin]

Those 50ft IECs are meant for permanent installs because extension cords are only for temporary use and not up to code to use in a permanent install. The "dirty up the power" is ********. If you are setting up and striking your PA in different places every day, extension cords are fine.