Question Leave guitar unplugged?

[edhalen]

I usually leave my guitar on it's stand when I'm not playing. I also usually leave it plugged into the amp even when the amp is off. Does leaving it plugged in like that wear out the jack prematurely? Does it matter?

Thanks

 

[GWDavis28]

It shouldn't. Any wear would come from plugging it in and unplugging it I would think.

Glenn |B)

 

[straycat113]

The only time leaving the plug in is not good is when you have a guitar that uses a battery to generate power for a function as even though it is off it will still draw power and shorten the life of your battery.

 

[fogman]

i wouldn't leave it plugged in for the simple reason too many people have had accidents tripping on the cord then the guitar tumbles!

 

[GWDavis28]

Stray, didn't think of that. Nice one.

Glenn |B)

 

[phatduckk]

ya if you have a piezo or active pickups then you'll drain the battery by leaving it plugged in.

otherwise its just a practical matter of possibly tripping over the cable and dropping the guitar

 

[TNT]

yes, actually it can, and, that's the reason I usually unplug. The jack has a strip of metal that applies a "pressure" onto the plug (similar to a spring), and overtime it will begin to diminish in strength against the plug.

Anytime something involves a "spring" type pressure it can lose it's holding power, even if it is ever so slightly (similar to rounds in a magazine/clip).

 

[NorM]

i wouldn't leave it plugged in for the simple reason too many people have had accidents tripping on the cord then the guitar tumbles!

I have seen this come to close to happening to many times.
The rule around here is if you are not playing then unplug that bad boy.
If you wear out an input jack you will gladly pay the tech at the guitar store $10 to solder in a new one.
Cracked necks and dings don't buff out so easy.

Instead of a stand, consider hard casing those bad boys. they just can't fall so far.

 

[e.mate]

i wouldn't leave it plugged in for the simple reason too many people have had accidents tripping on the cord then the guitar tumbles!

+1 ...I saw some really bad moments like that happen...and some guitarmen absolutely shocked

 

[Spudmurphy]

Yup I agree - unplug it cos it's a H & S issue - to you and the guitar.

 

[Stratty316]

I keep my guitars in the case when not playing... protects everything better.

 

[nobozos]

I almost learned this lesson the hard way. I was at a gig, and we were just going on our second break. The drummer was coming off the stage, and got his foot hung up in my cord. I caught all of this out of the corner of my eye about 5 feet in front of the stage. It was like everything was in slow motion. I had only owned my Axis for about two weeks, and here I was watching it come off my stand, falling face-first toward my pedal board and mic stand.

In that spit second, I made a decision that should put me into the athletic division of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Without taking a step, I jumped from a standing position from where I was to the stage to catch my guitar. I did manage to catch my guitar before it hit the floor, but not before:

-The headstock hit the mic stand, chipping the finish on the corner
-I bruised a rib landing on the top of a monitor
-Spilling about 4 ounces of beer onto the stage.

Yes, that's right. I did all of this while holding a bottle of beer in my hand, and, I didn't drop it, and only spilled about 4 ounces.

It did knock the wind out of me, and I couldn't lift my arm above my head for 3 weeks, but no serious damage was done to my guitar.

After that, I ALWAYS unplugged my guitar when not playing it, and even switched to a wireless system for awhile. After I had some problems with my wireless, I decided that cords are cheaper, and sound better.

 

[TNT]

How did the 3rd set go?

 

[straycat113]

LOL TNT. Nobozos it is amazing how cat like reflexes can kick in on certain occasions, especially when a guitar is halfway to the ground. I have also been there, but you get extra points for low spillage.

 

[nobozos]

3rd set was fine, although delayed for about 5 minutes while I caught my breath and cussed.

The full effect of the agony of the bruised ribs didn't make iteslf apparent for a while. I did get out of loading equipment that night. The next morning (after the alcohol wore off) is when I realized I was in a fair amount of pain.

It was at this point that I really began to hate my 5150 Combo.

 

[TNT]

Ah yes, while the ears are still ringing, the "dreaded morning after".

 

[shredhed]

Most of what I do with guitars is from experience - negative learning I call it

Hense, I always unplug when not using it. You can use you imagination as to why