instrument cable preferences

[eknivsnikta]

i've just decided to look into getting some better quality instruments cables, mainly for live performance, 10 - 20 feet, with clean tone (of course), solid and stable connections, and durability important considerations. i would like to avoid hype like monster and planet waves. i've heard good things about bayou cables, but it sounds like ordering may be unreliable presently? any one have any recommendations that they like with their L1000's?

[Nedmundo]

I have one key requirement for an instrument cable: it must have an unusual color someplace, whether it's orange shrinkwrap around the ends, or full lenth braided, colored wrapping. This way, I can keep track of them amist the tangled mass of black cables I often find in rehearsal spaces and venues, and others won't grab them by mistake. Same goes for my microphone cables.

My favorites are the DiMarzio cables with braided wrapping. I have a few red ones and one purple. They seem to sound fine, and I've never had failure or crackling noises after years of constant use.

[James Hart]

Good advice Ned, I buy my cables from Procable n sound made from purple 4E6S cable with orange shrink wraps... no confusing my cables with everyone else's

http://procablesnsound.com/items/gui...ble-detail.htm

[Craig_S]

I've found Planet Waves cables to be very reliable and flexible. I like the switched cables a lot. In a pinch, I'll use Live Wires from Guitar Center. They're good cables, with Neutrik ends and a lifetime guarantee.

[Ken Baker]

Bayou Cables are the best I've found, but are currently on the sidelines due to the economy; Butch had to get a real job. He may start making "ready to ship" cables in the future.

This means I make my own.

For store-bought, I'd look at Live Wires and avoid ANYTHING Monster brand like the plague.

Ken...

[eknivsnikta]

thanks everyone!

[Chef]

aaaawwwww man....bayou's down? huge bummer!

with G&L's crappy output jack, it's really important to use cables that have tru 1/4" ends. the jacks wear out fast enough without putting slightly oversized cable ends in them.

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by Chef

aaaawwwww man....bayou's down? huge bummer!

Hopefully it's temporary.

with G&L's crappy output jack, it's really important to use cables that have tru 1/4" ends. the jacks wear out fast enough without putting slightly oversized cable ends in them.

Yup - absolutely right. True for pretty much any instrument with a Switchcraft deep panel jack. As to cables, just avoid cheapies (too small) and Monster (too big). Livewire uses Neutrik plugs and have a good reputation.

Ken...

[jhardeck]

So then...the verdict on Planet Waves? Are their ends true?

[fender3x]

There's the "what" and there's the "why"... Chef and Ken gave the "why"... The quality of the jack in G&L basses is actually pretty good, in that you don't get much better 1/4" jacks than Switchcraft, and that's what they use. The problem is that the deep barrel jacks are just more fragile than the cheapo switchcraft stereo jacks. Every once in a while I get a wild hair and think about replacing mine with a jackplate and normal jack... But actually if you use decent cables the jack can last a long time. The secret: NEVER EVER USE MONSTER CABLES. If you do, you'll be replacing the jack because the plugs too big. Some crappy cables have ends that are too small. That won't hurt the jack, but it the connection will be unreliable. That has happened to me a couple of times when I borrowed a cable. Not good.

Solution: As Chef said...make sure the ends are good quality. Does that mean you have to pay planet waves or Procable prices? No! (Although those are no doubt excellent quality cables).

This place, sells really high quality cables, for rock bottom prices:

http://www.audiopile.net

Their brand, EWI, is Korean, and everyone I know who's tried them thinks they're great.

BTW, I love shrink wrap. Wonder why it never occurred to me to put some on my cables. It's an easy DIY thing....

[MeatChicago]

I used a spectraflex FatsoFlex 21 footer for about 10 years in all sorts of gigs and situations and the only thing that went wrong is that one of the end connections needs to be re-soldered now. Any product that lasts that long with the kinds of abuse put upon it is a good one. I also am into using the Vox vintage coil cable lately as I tend to get tangled sometimes. Its totally monterey pop style and is made very well and durable, got one stolen and bought another recently cause I liked it so much.

for quality and price I would also recommend Conquest Cable made in Illinois.
http://www.conquestsound.com/
I'm pretty sure they use switchcraft or neutrik connectors which should match the G&L nicely.
they sell from dealers and not direct but they have many options from simple to even wood plugs!

[Kwesi]

Even with all the hype that surrounds Planet Waves and Monster, they are quality cables. Neither have damaged the jacks in any of the basses I use and I've been using them both for over a year. Monster is waaaaay over price new, however so I suggest finding one used if you can. The thing I dig about them is that after a few times of wrapping the cable they naturally coil that way making it easier to wrap it later as opposed to my Planet Waves which never seem to want to behave.

I've also heard good things about Mogami and Canare both of which you can get at http://www.nyproaudiocables.com with neutrik plugs. I've never bought form them personally, but they have a good rep on eBay. I plan on making a purchase soon.

[cbass1]

I too have heard all this stuff about monster cables, I use them, bought them used for like half price. and have had them for about 10 years, and they continue to perform well and be maint. free. I use them on my G&l basses and never had an issue, It is certainly possible that I got lucky, but it is funny how some people have "big brand hate". You know hating on Blockbuster, Exon Mobil, Walmart, etc. The brands that you associate with any activity. Like ordering a softdrink, you ask for a coke, instead of asking for a tissue, you ask for a Kleenex. Monster cable was probably the first (as of late) high end cable manufacturer and every smaller cable manufacturer has to come in and tear down the big guy to get his foot in the door. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING REALLY, just my brain at work

[Chef]

If you're using a standard switchcraft jack that mounts to a plate=no problem
If you're using a switchcraft barrel jack=guaranteed problem.

[Ziltoid]

My jacks have to be colorful or "different", not for the reasons ned said but simply because I like them that way.

[fender3x]

There is just not that much magic in this. The problem with Monster cables is that the plug is oversized. It may break your barrel jack. It may not. What it will do, over time, for sure, is make the jack unusable for anything but an oversized plug.

There's also not that much to the cable. You want good quality cable, good quality shielding, a decent soldering job...and that's all there is to it. And there are several good mfgs listed here that are as good as any of the pricy cables.

There are several good mfgs that are not expensive. I recommended my personal favorite, becuase they are well made, from good stuff, and last as long as anything else, but for less money than most.

My personal objection the the big mfgs is not that they are poor quality, but that people will think that stenciling "Monster" or anything else on cable made by someone else, makes it magical.

I can't believe that people are recommending buying used cables of any kind, when there are several VERY good, reasonably priced cables out there you can buy new. Several of them recommended here.

[fender3x]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

My jacks have to be colorful or "different", not for the reasons ned said but simply because I like them that way.

This is a great idea regardless of the reason...and easy to do yourself with a bit of shrink wrap and a hair dryer or heat gun.

[BD Bass]

http://www.analysis-plus.com/pro_guitarinstrument.html
I really like Analysis Plus....I use it on my custom built stereo speakers, I think it was ment for Bass

[El Tookay]

I've been using a Monster 21' Pro-Link for about 8 years now, and it has never let me down. Sound-wise, it seems to have a wider, more open sound spectrum with an extended high end. The extra top end is/ was really noticeable (to me ) while playing StingRays, adding a lot of harmonic overtones as well as really annoying string zing. It is currently relegated to the pedalboard out-to-amp-in position in my large live rig- because, yes, the damn thing has fragged the barrel jacks in 3 of my G&L's. First choice for the studio, tho'.

[Chef]

I no longer own anything new enough to use the stupid-choice-barrel-jack.

Problem solved.