Is my amp being used when I'm not there?

[heavyfunkmachin]

Hi,

I'm playing in a shared space with a couple other bands and I'm getting the feeling my amp is being played when I'm not there... There's no way to take the fuse out or block the amp (PF-500 head into barefaced cab) and I don't want to take the head out everythime I set up... plus, I don't know if I'm just being paranoid!

So, is there any way to tell if an amp is being used?
I though about a piece o paper in the cab port: if it's not there, it's being used...
But I realize it could be succked inside the cab just as easilly as bown away
so... ANY IDEAS?

 

[Fun Size Nick]

Unplug one end of the speaker cable. Use tape to stick a hair across the socket, if it's broken the next time you're there, then it's been plugged in.

Set the EQ to something outlandish, and see if it's been changed next time.

 

[Mr_Martin]

This will help:

 

[beans-on-toast]

The amp is small and relatively portable, why not take it with you. Besides, you can plug in headphones without the speaker connected for practicing at home. Also, being so portable, I'd worry about it being stolen.

If you have to leave the amp in the practice room, remove the power cord.

 

[neckdive]

Adjust the knobs to something crazy, then take a picture of it. If you find it's being used, cover the whole rig and lock it with a long cable and lock. Whoever is using it will get the hint.

 

[johnpbass]

Even though you say you don't want to take the head with you, I'd do it just to be sure. Get a little carry bag (I use a GigSkinz medium mixer bag). 10 pounds is not bad to schlep back and forth to rehearsal IMO.

 

[The Chuck]

Take it home with you, it's pretty small and light.

 

[heavyfunkmachin]

IMHO taking the head home defies the porpoise of having a rehearsal space, plus is a huge hassle for me: subway to work, subway to rehearsal and subway home… 2-3 days a week.


Tried the crazy EQ solution, but they might be being careful. Unless something smarter comes up, I might have to take the fuller’s unilock route… despite making me look like an arse….

 

[johnpbass]

Do you leave your bass there?

 

[heavyfunkmachin]

Yep, 2 basses, pedalboard, head and cab!

 

[CL400Peavey]

If you are leaving equipment in shared space, then you have given them licence to use your gear. Lock it all up in some fashion, or take it home. Something like a heavy canvas cover with a locking strap that goes underneath could be a solution.

 

[Jim Carr]

Since you leave your gear (basses and amp, etc.) in a place where others can play with it, it is possible that visitors to the practice room are doing just as you imagine—while you're away. Rather than accuse friends of being untrustworthy, I take my amp head and bass home no matter what.

I have noticed that no one seems at all interested in a big heavy no-name (fEARful) cabinet, unless they are a bass player, and even then, with no badge saying Ampeg, Eden, Peavey, or whatever—bass players think is must be a toy—until they hear it.

 

[Shardik]

If you are leaving equipment in shared space, then you have given them licence to use your gear.

I disagree. Our band has a rehearsal space, and I wouldn't dream of touching the amps, drums etc of the other guys before asking.

 

[heavyfunkmachin]

It’s a room shared by 3 bands, we all have our gear (Amps, guitars, pedals, etc…) and nobody messes with each other’s gear. There and a certain degree of “trust” due to common friends, etc… so everything should be fruity-loopy… BUT I might be more obsessive about my gear than others that are, IMHO, reckless and careless… that’s nature, and a bigger investment on gear on my side.


Recently the other bands involved included “bass” parts in their songs and requested to use my gear, I explain myself and declined my gear to be shared. They said “OK” and (In theory) they have been putting bass trough the PA… that’s the part where I start to suspect my amp is being used.


So I wanted to find a way to be sure about someone else using by amp/cab before being weird about it…. If I can't find any I might have to find a way to lock it up, but taking my gear home is not an option due to transport and day-to-day live things…

 

[Jim Carr]

I disagree. Our band has a rehearsal space, and I wouldn't dream of touching the amps, drums etc of the other guys before asking.

Of course, same here—but not everyone has had the same upbringing.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I disagree. Our band has a rehearsal space, and I wouldn't dream of touching the amps, drums etc of the other guys before asking.

Im not saying it is right. Just that not everyone is as scrupulous as you would like them to be, especially when you are not there watching.

 

[The Chuck]

I disagree. Our band has a rehearsal space, and I wouldn't dream of touching the amps, drums etc of the other guys before asking.

Yes, but not everyone was brought up right!

 

[Jim Carr]

It’s a room shared by 3 bands...
Recently the other bands... ...requested to use my gear, I explained myself and declined...and (In theory) they have been putting bass through the PA… that’s the part where I start to suspect my amp is being used.

So I wanted to find a way to be sure about someone else using by amp/cab before being weird about it…. If I can find any I might have to find a way to lock it up, but taking my gear home is not an option due to transport and day-to-day live things…

Look, they will just deny it no matter what. Don't get into "being weird." Your relationships are more important. Just take the head and basses home.

 

[Jim Carr]

Yep, 2 basses, pedalboard, head and cab!

What kind of head? You might just slip the fuses out, but that invites someone defeating it with a piece of foil or a gum wrapper (yes, it does work, but I won't show you how).

 

[Fun Size Nick]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] might be big enough for the amp & cab, if it's one of the smaller barefaced cabs!

You could perhaps buy or build some storage cabinets for your gear - even suggest to the other users of the space that you all pitch in together for them, to keep the space organised/secure etc,