Best instrument cable for bass?

[ChicoMarx]

I just had both a Core and a Monster die on me within a week...both were about 3 years old. I've had cheapo generics last longer than that. I solder my own cables. Pick up some instrument cable and gold-tipped solderless 1/4" connectors from any on-line electrical house and make them yourself. Don't even need to know how to solder...

 

[Hopkins]

Any cable made from a decent shielded wire and Neutrik ends.

 

[ChicoMarx]

My first choice too...but...if someone doesn't have soldering equipment or doesn't know how to solder, gotta go the other route. Or... Find a friend who's got the equipment and skill, and bribe him with a six pack to make you a bunch of cables!!!

 

[Marc61]

I have a Mogami. Shorted in the middle but, I repaired it and I guess it's cool Think I'm gonna try the analysis plus. If you think they're expensive, Bob Babbit endorsed a cable tgat was like $1000

 

[40Hz]

I just order Mogami cable in bulk and make my own. That way I get exactly the lengths and plug configurations I want. It's a piece of cake to do. And you can save some (not a huge amount - but still some) money too. You can also make back your upfront expense by making cables for friends and associates after you make a few for yourself. I used to do that a lot in the past. Get a reputation anong local musicians for making a reasonably priced high quality "custom" cable and you can do a fair bit of business if you want to.

If you never have, this vid is one of several that'll show you how:



Speaker cables are just as easy:

 

[sfmag1]

Phil Jones or Mogami.

 

[Spacecase]

Premium custom cables at a fair price:

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I'm pleased with my purchase. Tweed color outer nylon braid, Neutrik connectors (one, a Silent plug), and low-capacitance (20 pf/ft) cabling. Other options are available.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the company.

 

[Marc61]

So I was feeling rich and picked up this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I purchased rhe 20ft with straight connectors to silent plugs. At first A/Bing it through my practice amp I didn't hear a difference from the Mogami cable but today, putting it through my rig I did the same comparison and hear huge difference. To my ears the sound with the Analysis was richer and thicker. The only thing is it did nothing to improve my playing . That said, as a working musician I feel it's worth the investment.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

So I was feeling rich and picked up this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I purchased rhe 20ft with straight connectors to silent plugs. At first A/Bing it through my practice amp I didn't hear a difference from the Mogami cable but today, putting it through my rig I did the same comparison and hear huge difference. To my ears the sound with the Analysis was richer and thicker. The only thing is it did nothing to improve my playing . That said, as a working musician I feel it's worth the investment.

Looks like a good cable, but the length of your original cable also is a factor right?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

If you roll your own.... RG-58a/u for instrument cable, but not for speakers.
It has about half the capacitance of regular instrument cable.
Is very flexible, and fits well to a 1/4" phone plug.
Get the stuff with stranded center and foam polypropylene insulator.
Belden 8219 or equiv.

 

[Marc61]

Looks like a good cable, but the length of your original cable also is a factor right?

Hadn't thought about that but they are both 20 ft

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Seen this btw?

Audio Cables Compared and Recommended

 

[ddnidd1]

If you roll your own.... RG-58a/u for instrument cable, but not for speakers.
It has about half the capacitance of regular instrument cable.
Is very flexible, and fits well to a 1/4" phone plug.
Get the stuff with stranded center and foam polypropylene insulator.
Belden 8219 or equiv.

Belden 8219 has a capacitance of 26.5 pF/ft which isn't particularly low. Certainly not half and it is normally used for radio frequency applications.

Check against the capacitance in these various cables: Audio Cables Compared and Recommended

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Belden 8219 has a capacitance of 26.5 pF/ft which isn't particularly low. Certainly not half and it is normally used for radio frequency applications.

Check against the capacitance in these various cables: Audio Cables Compared and Recommended

That is a very informative chart you've provided for us. Thank you. That was a lot of work for the fellow who compiled the information.

It seems that the capacitance ranges from Fender Platinum Acoustic at 147 pfd/ft, (Is that a type-o?)
down to Atlantic Quality Zerocap at 3 pfd/ft but with an asterisk that denotes a much higher value, and that the cable is "active?" Cable, in and of itself is not active. So let's throw out the high and low figures because they may not be accurate. The capacitance ratings now run from 50 to 11 pfd/ ft.

The author of the comparison chart also comes up with his favorite best five that don't account for flexibility and a top five not taking price into consideration. Those ten cables run between 25 and 50 pfd/ft. Belden at 26.5 is better than most of these and quite flexible and very inexpensive.

When I said half the capacitance, I failed to mention the specific cable, but it was one of the cables listed by Belden for use as guitar instrument cable. I apologize for not having the details on the other cable as I did that comparison a couple of months ago.

The cables in the chart you provided not only were graded by price and capacitance which are both objective comparisons. Many of the ratings offered by the author were, in his own words subjective. So the final ten where graded mostly as the author's opinion. Likewise, my offerings about Belden 8219 are solely my opinions. I just suggest that it should not be overlooked when considering instrument cable if making up your own.

You are also correct in that Belden 8219 is primarily designed for RF (radio frequency) use. I don't work for Belden and gain in no way by mentioning it here. In my 43 years as a broadcast technician, I have used a lot of this cable for RF, as well as audio. If a cable is good for RF, it will be good, perhaps even superior, for unbalanced audio use.
You will not be able to find ready made cable assemblies comprised of this cable. I have been rolling my own though long enough to feel, IMHO, that this cable can rank right up there, if not be superior to some instrument cables used for guitar and bass. One of the characteristics is because it is designed for RF use, it must provide excellent shielding, and does so without being stiff. Proper shielding is more difficult to achieve as the frequency increases.
If it works well at RF, it must work well at Audio. But again, that's just my opinion.

The point is that there are many different cables one can use. Belden just happens to be trusted around the world when it comes to posting specifications that are reliable, repeatable and without hype. One must consider many factors when choosing cable, if any of that matters. If you like a cable for its color or brand name alone, then you are in luck, as there are a lot of choices. And while most folks probably don't make their own instrument cables, those who do, will want to look at as many options as possible. I simply present one option that most folks outside of my line of work may not consider.

 

[comatosedragon]

Another +1 for Mogami.
I didn't try a lot before deciding to take the plunge a year or so ago, but every cable I have bought since has been Mogami Gold or Platinum. High Quality cable, high quality sound (imho).
And yes, one can notice a difference in sound. At least I did. (Maybe just a difference in signal strength . . .)


I am not a professional, nor have I ever 'played out'.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I am not a professional, nor have I ever 'played out'.

Bro, get some ppl together and play out!! That's where the most fun is

 

[Steve Dallman]

I worked as an amp tech at a music store for decades. We carried many different brands, including Monster's. If a cable came back to the store not working, I was the one to repair it.

Over the years, I fixed more failed Monster cables than all the other brands combined, and Monsters were certainly not our better sellers. Pretty ends, but they didn't hold up.

I'd rather a solid cable, with Switchcraft, Nutrick or now Rean soldered plugs without a warranty, than a cable that will fail with one.

Monsters are also high capacitance, which will roll off treble and lower the resonant peak of your passive bass. You may like that, but I'd rather get full frequency response out of my instruments.

If you play an active bass, then cable capacitance is not an issue.

There are great cables out there, like Conquest (made in the USA). Guitar Player had a great cable shootout issue years ago. Conquest, Dimarzio, Lawrence and others came out very highly rated. Monsters were panned. That was a while ago and since there are many other high end and good medium end cables available. Even Monster came out with lower capacitance cables...no doubt in response to criticism.

 

[Marc61]

So I was feeling rich and picked up this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I purchased rhe 20ft with straight connectors to silent plugs. At first A/Bing it through my practice amp I didn't hear a difference from the Mogami cable but today, putting it through my rig I did the same comparison and hear huge difference. To my ears the sound with the Analysis was richer and thicker. The only thing is it did nothing to improve my playing . That said, as a working musician I feel it's worth the investment.

replying to myself. Is that the same as talking to myself?

Anyway, last night a group I'm with performed at Arlene's Grocery in NYC. A venue well known for their sound. Now, I don't exactly use the finest bass. An Itala Imola fretless 5er to be exact. Last night though even the soundman said the same thing I was feeling, richer, thicker, more rounded bottom sound. He thought it was the bass but I realized it had to be the cable that was a difference maker. Not sure I would recommend everyone jump to get the Analysis just yet because it is costly, it's not that flexible (if that's important to you) and I need to see over time if it's truly durable (especially the silent plugs).

Feelin really good about my sound right now though

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Not sure if it was mentioned but what about Lava Cables, Ultramafic Flex?
Link Removed

Wow!
My two favorite colors are Purple and Green.
I like that the cable is Purple.
I don't like how much green I have to give up to get one.

Specs:
Frequency Response: Excellent, what ever that means.
Capacitance: Low, but how low?
Noise and RF Rejection: Superior, but to what?
Conductors: Two, but they are low strand count.
And for that kind of money I'd like the conductors to be silver plated. What are they selling? Almonds?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

A direct quote from the manufacturer, I just received an email from, I asked exactly what you asked:


"Conductors are low strand and silver plated. Capacitance is about 35 pF/ft. Excellent means it passes signal fully. Superior to most standard coax cables.

I designed this cable from being a custom shop for about 70% or so of the world’s best guitar cable manufacturers.

It sounds darker due to higher capacitance and 2-condutor design than the Ultramafic but is more flexible.

Hope this helps.

Happy New Year!


Respectfully,

MARK L. STODDARD"

Huh?

And did you ask about the almonds?