Cables, Cables, Cables.

[skabassist13]

Im here in search of cable knowledge. I hear/ read from various sources that cables can affect your tone. It is to my knowledge that a cable is just wire wrapped in an insulator and that all cables are the same. Therefore there is either a mass hysteria going around that one cable sounds different from the other, most people have some sort of placebo effect with different cables, or im just uneducated. Obviously some are more durable than others. That is one thing to take into consideration. And i hear capicitance has something to do with tone. Resistnace would obviously have something to do with it, the less the better right? So then if this is all true then will someone explain to me why one cable sounds different from another and why some things are better to have in certain cables and some are not? And what about speaker cables? You want the lowest gauge (numerically) in the shortest length right? Thanks in advance.
Travis

 

[prickly_pete]

http://www.verber.com/mark/cables.html

 

[Psychicpet]

I have heard some difference between a $5 cable and a very high end cable but in all seriousness, as long as it's gonna stand up to being stepped on and has a good warranty... I dunno, why not go with what works and what you can afford. I've strated to use Planet Waves cables just because I like the gauge of cord and the lifetime warranty but I've been using Mogami for the longest time and those are just as good if not better but for gigging the PW cables seem a bit more tough(not that any of the Mogamis have failed)

my 2 bits



pd

 

[Musicfreak1988]

I don't know much about how a cable works, and the few things I do know, I can't explain in English properly but I'll try: The thicker the black ring (on a jack connection) is, the better the quality (some guy at a store told me). And that's all I technically know . But I play synthesizers as well as bass, and I can tell you most of the time the thicker the cable is, the better the quality. IMHO, Klotz and Neutrik cables are very durable and they their sound quality is also very decent. Less humm than with a 'Yellow cable' or so...

 

[bass4Jesus]

When I got to use cables, I use Monster Cables. I prefer my Shure UT wireless system though.

Seriously, you get what you pay for. I've noticed a big difference between my Monster cables and the cheaper ones I used to use. Signal transmission seems alot more potent with the higher end cables.

 

[cgworkman]

As long as a cable is properly put together, is shielded, and is made out of halfway decent materials - honestly, most are - you'll probably not hear a difference unless you have the hearing of a K9.

OT: What's up with these new speakon cables? Is the only difference the connectors?

 

[dlloyd]

most people have some sort of placebo effect with different cables, or im just uneducated.

I'm pretty cynical when people start talking, for example, about cables having directional properties. I buy fairly decent cables (most I own are "Venom" cables which I think are a UK company) and look after them, checking them for deterioration before any gigs etc.

Some companies have latched onto the fact that lots of people equate high cost with high quality.

 

[Morrow]

never underestimate the importance of always using new cables.You don't want to put some filthy old thing in your " instrument" after all.They come in sanitary protective wrappers and should be dicarded after use.

 

[skabassist13]

OT: What's up with these new speakon cables? Is the only difference the connectors?

from what i hear it is just the connecter. but that connecter is said to have better conductance characteristics.

never underestimate the importance of always using new cables.You don't want to put some filthy old thing in your " instrument" after all.They come in sanitary protective wrappers and should be dicarded after use.

huh?

 

[skabassist13]

OT: What's up with these new speakon cables? Is the only difference the connectors?

here ya go crish. i just found this in the owners manual to the Ampeg SVT-412He cabinet that i own.

"Speakon® connectors are recognized as the standard
for professional installations, assuring a secure,
permanent connection that won’t corrode, vibrate loose
or be easily tampered with. The 1/4” jacks are convenient.
However, the Speakon® jacks are recommended
when using power amplifiers over 150 watts, for permanent
installations, or for the first enclosure among a
number of daisy chained enclosures."

 

[TSanders]

I think I sound fine using all Whirlwind cables. Not as expensive as others, but mine are workhorses. I do use speakon from my GK head to my GK cab in order to bi-amp.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Like Popsicle Pete, I prefer Planet Waves cables. I like the fact that they have molded ends so I CAN'T get at either plug. If they crap out (which none ever have) I can just send them back and get a free replacement. Plus I like the cool little cord wrap that P-W has on their cables.

And yes I can definitely hear a BIG difference between $5 cables and a good cable like Planet Waves. My guitar player and I did an extensive "blind-fold" A-B test and the Planet Waves won out every time. A good indicator also is plugging into a very sensitive tuner like my Korg DTR-2. Using the cheap cables the needle bounces all over the place while the good cables are rock solid.

Monster cables = for me. Used them for about 3 years and I had to send one back about every 4-5 months.

 

[MingusBASS]

I have a couple monster cables but I've never had much trouble with any cables I've used. I just make sure I wind them up properly...instead of just bunching them up in a ball and shoving them in my gig case.

Andrew

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've just bought some instrument cables for my rig and effects loop, after using the previous ones for about 6 years. I had no problems with the previous set, but thought I should get some new ones just for the hell of it. As others have said, treating your cables well is the key to a long life.

As for what to buy, I prefer instrument cables that don't have heatshrunk connectors, so if something does go wrong I can resolder the connections myself. Good quality silicon wrap is what I look for, something that coils up nice and easily.

 

[basspastor]

I use "Audible Purity Guitar Instrument cable" on my bass and "Horizon Studio Quality Instrument cable" on Mic's, etc, no problems as of yet.
That is my **cents worth.
Blessings

 

[bass4Jesus]

Yep. IMHO quality cables and a little common sense TLC goes a long way. Cables should last a good, long time.

 

[shaver]

i like monster cables not because of the cable and wire, but mainly because of the gold ends.. gold is a realy good electrisity conductor and this is why i use monster, always a good connection that i belive can be heard.. i havent had any static of crackle from the input since i started using them.

 

[midopa]

Well, call me boiled cabbage! (If I could get that as a subtitle under my username, that'd be great, mods and admins. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!) I've used various cables from cheap generic ones to Monster cables and couldn't tell the difference betwixt the sound from 'em. I refer you to the beginning of my reply. But I've been using a Monster cable the longest and it hasn't copped out on me yet. Been about three years now, too.

Now, someone give me the low down on all this jive I hear about batteries making a difference!

 

[cgworkman]

i like monster cables not because of the cable and wire, but mainly because of the gold ends.. gold is a realy good electrisity conductor and this is why i use monster, always a good connection that i belive can be heard.. i havent had any static of crackle from the input since i started using them.

Actually having worked in a field that dealt with cables, etc. - Gold tipped connectors are a myth except for the most expensive cables (i.e. several hundred dollars for a cable, etc). They use gold plating which is far from "real gold". To top it off, I used to work for a compoany that made all kinds of cables, connectors, etc. They had both "Gold" versions and "regular" versions of everything they sold. A standard nickle plated connector would cost them about $.06 cents. The gold one? The same. The connectors could be made for less that a penny - literally! They couldn't manufacture just one for a penny - but had to make several for .01cent! Where'd the .06 cents come from? The packaging. Believe it or not.

However - the "gold" version would sell for 200% more than the "standard" version.

As I said, only the most high end cables use "real" gold.

 

[bovinehost]

To a certain extent, cables are cables are cables are cables. Good ones work and last a while. Bad ones are cheap and crap out pretty quickly.

Save your money for Christmas presents for your mom.