Need a couple of inexpensive amp power cords

[wrxplayer]

What makes one cheap one better than the next? Any specific recommendations?

 

[zenas]

Old computer cords snip the female end off if you don't need it. I use those all the time to upgrade old amps to three prong plugs thrift store here gets a buck a piece.

 

[soldersucker]

You have unknowing opened a big stinkin can of TGP worms.
Anything long enough to reach a plug will suffice 18G would be a nice gauge.
Other considerations may be the type of rubber/plastic and its ease of coiling and the sturdiness of the male end.
Everything else is Hoodoo Voodoo Man.

 

[zenas]

Oh yeah the cord can O worms !
I pull cords off 50 year old amps that look like cords from 50 year old lamps.
Don't think they put a hell of a lot of thought into cords 50 years ago.
I'm 50 years old and 50 years ago I sure didn't give a dam about cords !

 

[wrxplayer]

Thanks. Got two at Amazon for $4.99 each delivered.

If I hit the lottery I will get the next one for $79 and see what the controversy is all about!

 

[CubanB]

ha

 

[teemuk]

What makes one cheap one better than the next?

A good one will not fall apart after few months of use. It has contacts that fit to receptacle or socket snugly and tight.

After that is taken care of, most of them are generic enough to introduce no difference in performance.

People like to fuzz about wire gauge but overall it's not really that important. If you take a computer's power coord, it's well versed to supply power for 400W - 500W systems so usually the issue with power coords and plain guitar amps is not going to be too "skinny" wiring.

The contacts of the plug are actually more important: Even thickest wire can't help if the contacts can't pass that current. Even worse, if it's cheap contacts and cheap hardware rest assured that stuff will get worrn, dirty and intermittent more quickly than "better" quality stuff. Then those contacts will introduce more resistance than the entire wiring from power station to your mains receptacle and that will start to matter.

But ask yourself this: How many times have you had issues with even the cheapest noname brand computer power cables. I have had so few isssues that I have a box full of intact, good IEC power cables, while the things they powered have ended up in landfills years and years ago... That stuff isn't usually that failure prone, even if you get cheapest of the cheapest...

 

[xtian]

Apex Jr. has good 6' ones for cheap:

http://www.apexjr.com/wire.html

see bottom of page.

I bought 16ga ones last time, but the wire is actually too large to solder into vintage amps! Recommend the 18ga ones.

 

[TimmyP]

Monoprice.com

 

[jay42]

If I hit the lottery I will get the next one for $79 and see what the controversy is all about!

You don't want to pay $79, but...well, I like a longer cord than the typical IEC 6' that's used for computers and monitors. 10' is good for me.

 

[walterw]

Need a couple of inexpensive amp power cords

go to work and wander into whatever storage room they put the old computers and monitors and such in, then scrounge a random power cable or two. that'll be all you need.

 

[cap47]

$7 for a 12 foot cord from Hoffman Amps. I just ordered one for my 2nd 5e3 build.

 

[smolder]

On gigging combos I've taken to mounting a power strip with a ten foot cord using Velcro inside. Plug a pedal board, iPad, second amp, what ever you need into it. Very versatile setup.

 

[Kyle B]

One thing about 'computer power cords' is they (in my experience) are made with a 'plastic' insulation. Doesn't bend very easily when cold, and tough to neatly roll up regardless the temperature. Better quality 'instrument cords' use a rubber insulation, are very flexible when cold, and wrap up nice and neat.

My 2-cents