I'm a cable snob?

rustynuts · #1 05-30-2008, 05:58 PM

The owner of the local music store here in town asked me to bring my board and pedals in so some of his customers could hear the effects and play around with them a bit, hoping to stimulate some interest. It's a pretty small town with most people buying one or two Boss (or Behringer) pedals at the max. Since he's been so good to me every time I go in there I couldn't say no in good conscience.

I took them up this afternoon and to my surprise there were about twenty kids there wanting to try them out. It was fun to see their faces while they played around with the pedals and most of them took a genuine interest in them.

One kid though, was a royal pain in the rear. The shop owner told me later that this kid is one of those who "knows everything" and he was pretty disruptive. He plays guitar and he seemed almost to take offense at the fact that I had so many pedals....Several times he reminded me that "You're just a bass player, these pedals are being wasted on a bass player."

And then he launched into a tirade about my board's cables....I've got a mix of Planet Waves and my custom Canare/G&H cables.

"How much money did you spend on all those cables?"
"Just under $400."
"Four hundred dollars? What? Are you ____ing stupid or what? What a waste, man! FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS? Man, I can buy a TON of these cables right here," he said while pointing at the rack of what I call wiggle worm cables, the cheap ones that are like limp noodles. "And they're just as good as that ____ you've got! You're just a cable snob!"

And then the owner ejected him from the store.

I've been called a lot of things, but never a 'cable snob'.

bassnug47 · #2 05-30-2008, 06:02 PM

Toasted · #3 05-30-2008, 06:06 PM

I guess he doesn't like treble.

rustynuts · #4 05-30-2008, 06:08 PM

Inflin · #5 05-30-2008, 06:09 PM

Nice. I've encountered many a bratty kid like that, unfortunatley a lot of them are also very succesful.

Mind you...$400 on cable? I've gotta say I'm impressed.

KarateKid25 · #6 05-30-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustynuts

One kid though, was a royal pain in the rear....
this kid is one of those who "knows everything"....
He plays guitar....
Several times he reminded me that "You're just a bass player....

That my friend, is the true definition of a 'Guitard'...
A jealous one at that. Ignore the little ****

whitedk57 · #7 05-30-2008, 06:12 PM

It's OK to buy the more expensive things sometimes. I am a toilet paper snob myself - has to be smooth. Ice Cream - give me Breyers , or don't give me anything.

Sometimes though, cheap is OK for me. Diet Dr. Thunder is just as good to me as Diet Dr. Pepper. Cheap cream-filled cookies are fine. Generic Fruit Loops is good too.

bazmeister · #8 05-30-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inflin

Nice. I've encountered many a bratty kid like that, unfortunatley a lot of them are also very succesful.

Mind you...$400 on cable? I've gotta say I'm impressed.

our man knows quality

logicman69 · #9 05-30-2008, 06:13 PM

Hello, My name is Mark, and I am also a cable snob..

I see nothing wrong with wanting the best. Most people underrate the importance of good cable. I'm shocked on how many people spend thousands and thousands of dollars getting the best equipment they can, but when it comes to buying the cables they want the cheepest possible cable they can find.

I ask my customers all the time.. "When you buy a Corvette, do you put cheep tires on it?" I didn't think so...

rustynuts · #10 05-30-2008, 06:13 PM

I honestly found him somewhat entertaining. I'm sure I'd have grown tired of him pretty quickly if he hadn't gotten tossed out though.

Yep, a true 'guitard'.

rustynuts · #11 05-30-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitedk57

It's OK to buy the more expensive things sometimes. I am a toilet paper snob myself - has to be smooth. Ice Cream - give me Breyers , or don't give me anything.

Sometimes though, cheap is OK for me. Diet Dr. Thunder is just as good to me as Diet Dr. Pepper. Cheap cream-filled cookies are fine. Generic Fruit Loops is good too.

Generic Froot Loops? Blasphemy!

Though I have found some of the generic cereals are better tasting than their name brand counterparts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inflin

Mind you...$400 on cable? I've gotta say I'm impressed.

It's awfully easy to do....I bought five of the PW Cable Station kits at $60 each before I bought a bunch of bulk Canare and G&H ends to build my own with. It didn't take much to spend $400. Not much at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by logicman69

Hello, My name is Mark, and I am also a cable snob..

Another TB club!!

peterbright · #12 05-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Amazing

D.Don · #13 05-30-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustynuts

The owner of the local music store here in town asked me to bring my board and pedals in so some of his customers could hear the effects and play around with them a bit, hoping to stimulate some interest. It's a pretty small town with most people buying one or two Boss (or Behringer) pedals at the max. Since he's been so good to me every time I go in there I couldn't say no in good conscience.

I took them up this afternoon and to my surprise there were about twenty kids there wanting to try them out. It was fun to see their faces while they played around with the pedals and most of them took a genuine interest in them.

One kid though, was a royal pain in the rear. The shop owner told me later that this kid is one of those who "knows everything" and he was pretty disruptive. He plays guitar and he seemed almost to take offense at the fact that I had so many pedals....Several times he reminded me that "You're just a bass player, these pedals are being wasted on a bass player."

And then he launched into a tirade about my board's cables....I've got a mix of Planet Waves and my custom Canare/G&H cables.

"How much money did you spend on all those cables?"
"Just under $400."
"Four hundred dollars? What? Are you ____ing stupid or what? What a waste, man! FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS? Man, I can buy a TON of these cables right here," he said while pointing at the rack of what I call wiggle worm cables, the cheap ones that are like limp noodles. "And they're just as good as that ____ you've got! You're just a cable snob!"

And then the owner ejected him from the store.

I've been called a lot of things, but never a 'cable snob'.

He probably buys "speed grease" a jar filled with normal vaseline that is sold to geetards to rub their hands with in order to play faster, for a jar like that, you'd probably be able to charge him at list $199.

D.Don

Parabolic Box · #14 05-30-2008, 06:25 PM

He's just jealous he doesn't have the means to get the very best. People downplay others they don't want to appreciate.

cheapbasslovin · #15 05-30-2008, 07:20 PM

I am definitely not a cable snob, but I can see - if you build your own cables to custom lengths and change your board routinely - how that could add up in a hurry. I don't think I could justify that money on cables (unless I nickel and dimed myself in such a way that I didn't keep track

). That's no reason to trash you because you chose to do it.

It is also funny to hear people assume that pedals have no business being hooked to a 40hz instrument. Do these people not listen to recorded music??? Almost everyone's got at least some effect going anymore.

Bassbasixx · #16 05-30-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustynuts

I want this shirt where can I get one?

Parabolic Box · #17 05-30-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbasixx

I want this shirt where can I get one?

It says right on the shirt...

http://store.talkbass.com/We_Don_t_W.../ts_treble.htm

B.C. · #18 05-30-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbasixx

I want this shirt where can I get one?

Talkbass store, linked to the page.

My .02 I'm not as much a snob that I will pay 150 bucks on a single cable that will sound like my 50 dollar cable on stage. That being said, a good cable does make a big big difference.

I guess I'm in the middle. A good Spectraflex is the best for me.

KarateKid25 · #19 05-30-2008, 07:35 PM

Damn rusty.... Everytime I come on here, I see something to do with your cables. Its a constant reminder that im one of these people with $$$$'s tied up in effects and no decent cable.

Munjibunga · #20 05-30-2008, 07:43 PM

He might've had a point if they were all Tara Labs cables. There is a point of diminishing returns on cable cost, but the first consideration should be durability. Otherwise, copper is copper. I use high-quality cables, both commercial and hand-made (by me). All Canare or Belden cable with Neutrik and Switchcraft connectors.