Bass Cables - Which ones are worth it?

[TomB]

I've been having unusually (?) bad luck with Neutrik RA switching plugs.

2 in the last 6 months just quit switching. DeOxit spritz didn't help.

So much for reputation...

Also no luck with switching plugs from several manufacturers. ALL have failed. It’s why I have a mute switch.

 

[BeMoreFrench]

Got the same 6m Planet Waves angled Amphenol cable with gold plugs since... 2010 ! never had it serviced, has never let me down, built like a tank really, only 50 bucks or so. Too bad Daddario never make them anymore. Anything Neutrik or Amphenol with shielded end is the best, period.

Found it, same as that one but mine is all black with gold plugs

 

[Clark Westfield]

Just had a Monster die on me.

Lifetime warranty, until you try and claim it.

They need a sales slip for replacement.

I’ll rummage through the basement and see if I can find my receipt from 13 years ago.

Worthless!

I may try Guitar Center to see if they have something on file.

If not, I’ll use it in the shed to hold shovels or something.

 

[Geri O]

Just had a Monster die on me.

Lifetime warranty, until you try and claim it.

They need a sales slip for replacement.

I’ll rummage through the basement and see if I can find my receipt from 13 years ago.

Worthless!

I may try Guitar Center to see if they have something on file.

If not, I’ll use it in the shed to hold shovels or something.

Can you find a friend with soldering skills that can repair the cable, ASSuming one end has become unsoldered for whatever reason?

I'd say throw it my way, but that would be one hell of a throw....

 

[vindibona1]

Can you find a friend with soldering skills that can repair the cable, ASSuming one end has become unsoldered for whatever reason?

I'd say throw it my way, but that would be one hell of a throw....

Forget about Monster. They are a dead company. I had one cable die on me and after finally reaching someone it took months to get a replacement from them Sommersaults to get receipt so I could claim the warranty.

The one cable brand I've had very good luck withi "Audioblast" cables. I found them on Amazon. Very inexpensive for what they are. Feel-wise they're like Mogamis, but at a fraction of the price.

There is one cable that I use with my worship group, but I'll have to look which brand the cable is when I go there on Friday. It has a Neutrik plug on it, but it seems to shield better than the others. The only issue I have with my Sandberg bass is that run through my rig, withthout the cable I use there it did, unlike my other basses, have a bit of a hum. It could be that something that has to do with the hearing loop that is right there next to the amp. But the Audioblast cables have served me well except for this one bass (which leave me shrugging my shoulders).

 

[tlc1976]

IMO any standard instrument cable is probably good enough for playing live. You’ll never notice the difference in the mix.

Recording, I can understand how it is a different story. Probably similar to AV cables for my TV gear. I used to always use whatever department store cables I could get. Then one time I acquired a box of heavy duty AV cables from an ex Direct TV installer. What a difference! I never went back to cheap AV cables.

Only thing I totally avoid are the thin instrument cables that come complementary with a cheap bass or amp. Those might as well go straight into the garbage.

 

[byacey]

IMO any standard instrument cable is probably good enough for playing live. You’ll never notice the difference in the mix.

Recording, I can understand how it is a different story. Probably similar to AV cables for my TV gear. I used to always use whatever department store cables I could get. Then one time I acquired a box of heavy duty AV cables from an ex Direct TV installer. What a difference! I never went back to cheap AV cables.

Only thing I totally avoid are the thin instrument cables that come complementary with a cheap bass or amp. Those might as well go straight into the garbage.

The thinner cables tend to have higher capacitance per foot, but at the same time, you don't really need something the size of a garden hose, either. Around 1/4" is average for decent cable; but the detail is in the inner conductor gauge, the inner insulation thickness and dielectric parameters, and finally the quality of the outer shield. A supple, but strong outer jacket is the icing on the cake.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

My brother gave me a cable from Divine Noise in Portland, Oregon. Quality, low capacitance cable and G&H copper core plugs. I balk at paying a bunch for cables, but it is a fine cable. Thanks bro!

 

[Danny C]

I've been using Mogami with the Nutrix? silent ends. I have 4 and have been using them all almost every day for years..4-6? I've never had a problem with any of them. All purchased through amazon.

 

[Steve Slate]

Just had a Monster die on me.

Lifetime warranty, until you try and claim it.

They need a sales slip for replacement.

I’ll rummage through the basement and see if I can find my receipt from 13 years ago.

Worthless!

I may try Guitar Center to see if they have something on file.

If not, I’ll use it in the shed to hold shovels or something.

I replace my Monster Bass cable one time although years ago at GC in Nashville.
They replaced it without a second thought. No problem. But that was maybe 6 or 7 years ago!!
People can say what want but I've had excellent results. First purchase was in 02 at Sam Ash.