The Great Cable debate!!! (Warning - Nerd content)

[Trevorus]

Well, people are debating a bunch about the benefits of boutique cables. Here's where we're going to measure the cables in a controlled manner, and find out what's technically going on. Capacitance is debatably the most influential aspect on tone of a cable. Resistance of these cables on each lead was in the 0.0 to 0.2 ohm range, which is negligible.

I'm using a DMM from RadShack. This one:


And I tested all the cables in my accessory bag.


THis is a George L cable which usually runs between my pedals and the amp. Approximately 10 feet. Measured 0.374nF


This is a Carver Professional cable that I got through Fender. It's my most expensive cable. Approximately 20 feet. Measured 0.820nF


This is my Fender Vintage Voltage cable, which the ends are not stock. They had a tendency to have the ends go bad, so I replaced them. Approximately 20 feet. 0.778nF


This is an unknown fabric covered cable. It's a bit different in that the cables "texture" is a bit harder. It doesn't flex the same as other cables, it's stiffer. It's also approximately 20 feet. Measured 0.846nF


This is a cable that was a throw away where the ends went bad. I popped some new ones on, including a monster end, just to see how it felt in comparison to Switchcrafts. Approximately 20 feet. Measured 0.872nF


This is a Rapco Cable with a right angle end added to it. The cable end didn't change the measurement appreciably, so I left it on. Approximately 30 feet. Measured 1.192nF (Highest of all)

Playing passive instruments through all of them, the most expensive cable has some handling noise. When I roll it in between my fingers, it has some crackly noise. The rest really don't have that. So I wonder about that. With an active bass, it makes no noise at all.

So, what do you guys find with your cables, eh?

[Trevorus]

Bump?

[tplyons]

Nerd.

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Nerd.

haha i was waiting for that...

[seanm]

I think you scared everybody away with the nerd content warning

Unless other wise mentioned, all of the cables I measured are 20'. No pictures because I am too lazy.

My main practice cable is a 10+ year old Radial Tweed cable that I walk all over every day. Had to resolder the ends last year. 25' or 30', can't remember: 1.165nF.

My main practicing out cable is a BRTB: 0.938nF.

At one jam space I need a bit more than 20', I use a second Rodam cable: 0.883nF.

My main gigging cable is a Club Bass signature cable. This cable has a weird plasticy feel and is a brownish colour. It is also the winner so far at a whooping 1.265nF.

So what do I win?

[Rattman]

Man... you guys really do have TOO much time on your hands.. he he

[Lesfunk]

OMG We now take pictures of our CABLES???

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

OMG We now take pictures of our CABLES???

I guess you weren't around for my SHOW YOUR STRAP thread.

[Lesfunk]

LOL!

[varunkapahi]

maybe you should also have taken pictures of the DMM showing the readings of the capacitances ....!!

by the way could some one tell me how much capacitance aprroximatelty would be alright for 10/20/30 feet cables? a value which woudnt cause changes to the tones u know
i really do need to know because here in my city i do get a lot of bad cables whic i have to return back to the stores the next day becasue they suck the high end significantly

[Benjamin Strange]

I don't care what you nerds say... my Monster Cables make my $300 Wishbass sound like a $100,000 Ritter. Science and logic be damned - my ears are more sensitive than any scope ever dreamed of being.

All the drunks in the audiences love and appreciate my tone, and many have come up and thanked me specifically for using high quality cables. This is true.

[Steve]

You can't rely on a Radio Shack anything to give you true results.

Do it again with a Fluke meter.



How's that for NerdSpeak

[seanm]

For the record, I used a Radio Shack meter too

All the multimeters at work are Flukes though. Does that count for something? I didn't think so

[Brad Maestas]

I've never actually measured my cables but it sounded like fun so I did it.

The cable length I have in most abundance is 15 footers so that's what I used.
Using an Extech 22-816 True-RMS MM, I got these values:

Rapco / Switchcraft straight ends - 0.754nF
Mogami 2524 / Neutrik straight ends - 0.391nF
Pete Cornish HD / Neutrik straight ends - 0.312nF
Analysis Plus Pro Oval Studio - 0.276nF

...whatever that means!

[peterbright]

Originally Posted by tplyons

I guess you weren't around for my SHOW YOUR STRAP thread.

I hope they only showed their bass straps.

[peterbright]

What does it mean?

[Munjibunga]

Now, for each cable, find the resistance and calculate the capacitive reactance over the audio frequency range and then the overall impedance. Then you'll have something. I don't know what, but something.