leaving instrument cable plugged in on an amp - any problems?

[Killed_by_Death]

For years I've always unplugged my instrument cable from the amp when I'm not using it, even if the amp is stationary & there's no chance of something hitting the plug before I use the amp again.

Has anyone ever left theirs plugged in all the time & did it cause issues?

The only issue I can think of is that the tip connector might lose its springiness, but I have read that it might cause oxidation on the contacts.

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not related to the poll:

To go one step further, when I had a tube amp, I'd turn it off by turning off my power strip, and then hit the power switch. (after all the lights went off & the tubes stopped glowing)
I don't do that with my Rumble 40 though, it stays connected to power 24/7, but buffered by a UPS.

 

[Gorn]

Mine's been plugged in since 2011. No issues.

 

[JGbassman]

I leave my practice amp plugged in never had any issues. Stage gear gets unplugged without issue either. As far as amps go. I always power up or down via the power switch on amp.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

DOH!, edited to clarify "instrument cable"

 

[Bodeanly]

I don't unplug my instrument cable unless I am transporting my amp.

 

[Funky Ghost]

My music room has 4 amps ( 2 guitar - 2 bass ) I've left the Bass amp ( My MarkBass ) with the cable plugged into the back for the last 5 years without issue. I do unplug the bass to save the battery life though.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Your instrument cable plugs in the back?

 

[SAlcott]

I leave the instrument cable in my practice amp all the time.
To turn off my tube amps, I just reverse the turn-on procedure. Put it on standby for a minute or so and then turn off the power.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Apparently it's actually better for a tube amp to be turned directly off instead of going into standby first.
I'm sure someone will argue the opposite however.

 

[pcake]

my amps are usually hybrid or SS, and i usually leave the cable plugged in. never had a problem leaving the cables plugged since 1994.

 

[JACink]

I sort of do, and don't.

I have a long intrument cable (one of the coiling ones) that usually stays connected to the amp, with the other end tucked under the handle, or connected to one of the basses (not active) hanging on the wall beside it. However, when I play through the amp, I usually use a shorter cable, so I unplug the long one, use the shorter one, and when finished, the long one gets plugged back in. The short one is usually connected to my soundcard.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It's about time you ditched the long coiled cord
doesn't sound like you're using it

 

[el murdoque]

I use three amps. Two in two different rehearsal spaces and one at home. Each amp has a cable in the right length
so i can plug in my pedalboard. At home and in one rehearsal space, the cable is more or less installed and in the third place, i roll up the cable after use and place it on top of the amp.
All amps stay plugged in. I've never had any issues with that.
A 1/4" plug can either loose its tightness or it can corrode. Either way, it's just a small and cheap replacement bit.

My tube amp at home is connected to a switchable socket, along with my pedalboard. When i don't play, the socket is switched off. I turn off the head before i flick the switch, though. Mostly to make sure the power is in off position when i switch the outlet back on. I doubt there is a big difference in switching the thing to standby then to off, or switching standby and off together, or just cutting the power. It's how it comes to life that is important.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

cutting the power will at least partlially drain the capacitors

my info might be antiquated, but I have understood that a charged capacitor won't have as long of a life as an uncharged one

 

[JACink]

It's about time you ditched the long coiled cord
doesn't sound like you're using it

Actually, there are two reasons for the cable...

The first is that it is the only way I am sure of where it is and that I pick it up when taking my amp to rehearsal / jam etc.

The second is that the coiled cables are an absolute nightmare for tangling and generally making life difficult, so being plugged in a draped in the way it is, it actually stops it tangling so much.

 

[Meyatch]

I never leave a cable plugged into the amp. Seems like a good way to trip and damage yourself or your gear.

I would never have guessed that I am apparently in the minority on this.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I can coil up the cable on top of the amp & it is completely out of the way.

Well, that settles it, I'm leaving mine plugged in from now on, unless I'm moving it out to the back porch for an outside jam.
I've got components coming to make myself a nice 6' Mogami/Amphenol instrument cable. Total cost, $16.
The one right angle plug cost a couple of bucks extra or it'd be under $15.

 

[Meyatch]

Aside from tripping (and I just think it looks messy to have a cable plugged in, even coiled up on top) I can't think of any reason it would actually be bad for the amp. I leave speakers plugged in all the time, and I don't anticipate any problems with that.

Nobody voted for it, but it probably really is harder on the jack to be plugged in and unplugged over and over than it is to just stay plugged in.

 

[primusfan1989]

Leaving the cable inside the input jack when not in use is an accident waiting to happen

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I unplug mine most of the time. There is a tripping hazard with it plugged in and small amps can be pulled off the cab. Larger amps can have their input jack screwed up if it's yanked.