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Best instrument cable?
- Thread starter N. Kentucky Bass
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- best instrument cable
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
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- I suck, but nobody really notices
I use monster cables.
I've had the same two cables (a 15ft and a 25ft) monster bass cables, for over 15 years.
I brew my own. Keeps cost down and quality up, plus I can custom make lengths and use the exact plugs I want.
Unless your cable is physically damaged or the connections are loose at the plug it's fine. Cables don't "wear out", aside from breaking from being used so much. Unless you're handmaking your own cables you're paying WAY to much for someone else's "handmade". Zero difference in audio quality.
Unless your cable is physically damaged or the connections are loose at the plug it's fine. Cables don't "wear out", aside from breaking from being used so much. Unless you're handmaking your own cables you're paying WAY to much for someone else's "handmade". Zero difference in audio quality.
I have a Monster cable that's about 15 years old and still going strong
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
Got a bunch of their stuff but had a couple fail. Their warranty service...probably shared by others...is great: send a pic of the lot or model # on the jacket then, upon their request, send a pic of the same cable with the ends loped-off. They'll mail you a replacement.
Riis
Lots of good ones out there. For me:
If I'm buying 'over the counter' cables, Mogami, all day, every day.
On the other hand, I really prefer my friend Butch at bayoucables.com. Butch is a retired government contractor who makes fabulous cables to order, top shelf components and top shelf assembly. I bought my last instrument cable from him, 15' Canare, straight Neutrilk x Mk2 Neutrik right angle silent plug that's fabulous. I keep trying to get him to send me a couple pounds boudain with my cables, no luck yet . . .
If I'm buying 'over the counter' cables, Mogami, all day, every day.
On the other hand, I really prefer my friend Butch at bayoucables.com. Butch is a retired government contractor who makes fabulous cables to order, top shelf components and top shelf assembly. I bought my last instrument cable from him, 15' Canare, straight Neutrilk x Mk2 Neutrik right angle silent plug that's fabulous. I keep trying to get him to send me a couple pounds boudain with my cables, no luck yet . . .
I use Rattlesnake Cables, great product. Hank is a solid guy. 
Best Custom and Handmade Guitar Cables | Rattlesnake Cable Company
*no affiliation, just a very satisfied customer
Best Custom and Handmade Guitar Cables | Rattlesnake Cable Company
*no affiliation, just a very satisfied customer
Just don't get the cheap-y and you'll be fine. If someone says they can tell the difference between quality cables, challenge them to a blind test.
I highly recommend a 90 degree angled jack on one end. that way it works best with any kind of bass, assuming you can also fit the 90 degree side into the amp if needed.
that right angle is way better on all my basses.
Monster may make fine cables, but their marketing is exaggerated and it only adds to the cost (like Bose)
I highly recommend a 90 degree angled jack on one end. that way it works best with any kind of bass, assuming you can also fit the 90 degree side into the amp if needed.
that right angle is way better on all my basses.
Monster may make fine cables, but their marketing is exaggerated and it only adds to the cost (like Bose)
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I think that the house brands from reputable vendors are fine, or brands with boring sounding names like ProCo and Whirlwind, that have been around forever.
I prefer to look at the details of how the cable is constructed, and have learned two lessons over the years:
1. The sleeve and threaded part of the plug have to be machined from a single piece of metal, so they don't work loose from one another over time. My favorite old fashioned Switchcraft 280 meets this requirement, as do I think the Neutrik plugs.
2. The plug has to be serviceable, i.e., not glued together. Once you get to the level of decent cable, the main failure mode is flexing of the inner conductor at the joint between the cable and the plug. The symptom is a faint crackling sound, and it can also sound like a vibration in your rig. It can be repaired by cutting off a couple inches of cable and re-attaching. Some of my cords have lasted for decades this way.
I'm not a fan of gold plating. Cheap gold plating flakes off, or the underlying material corrodes through the gold. Heavy nickel plating is more than conductive enough, and stays put.
I prefer to look at the details of how the cable is constructed, and have learned two lessons over the years:
1. The sleeve and threaded part of the plug have to be machined from a single piece of metal, so they don't work loose from one another over time. My favorite old fashioned Switchcraft 280 meets this requirement, as do I think the Neutrik plugs.
2. The plug has to be serviceable, i.e., not glued together. Once you get to the level of decent cable, the main failure mode is flexing of the inner conductor at the joint between the cable and the plug. The symptom is a faint crackling sound, and it can also sound like a vibration in your rig. It can be repaired by cutting off a couple inches of cable and re-attaching. Some of my cords have lasted for decades this way.
I'm not a fan of gold plating. Cheap gold plating flakes off, or the underlying material corrodes through the gold. Heavy nickel plating is more than conductive enough, and stays put.
Don't judge the "best guitar cable" only by its sound.
A bad cable will:
A bad cable will:
- twist easily
- not sit flat on the floor
- have molded connectors
- not be serviceable
- not have lifetime guaranty
- not be flexible enough
- end up in the garbage
Last one I bought, a year and a half ago, was an Audioblast because it came with Neutrik Silent right angle on one end and a straight Neutrik at the other, right place at the right time, and the price was right too. No complaints so far.
Rattlesnake. Haven’t found anything close. His customer service is insane too.
All Neutrik ends and easy to customize.
I’ve told the story before. Once I ordered a couple special length cables on a Saturday afternoon and they were made, packed and shipped regular priority post and they hit my mailbox Monday. Montana to Austin over a Sunday. So basically what I’m saying is Hank is Santa.
All Neutrik ends and easy to customize.
I’ve told the story before. Once I ordered a couple special length cables on a Saturday afternoon and they were made, packed and shipped regular priority post and they hit my mailbox Monday. Montana to Austin over a Sunday. So basically what I’m saying is Hank is Santa.
What’s on sale at Sam Ash this week?
