Cloth & Poly Wire Difference

[ODDBALL]

Hello,

Sorry if this is a dumb question but what is the difference between these two used in a wire harness for a passive P bass?

Thanks

Shaun

 

[mrmills]

The main difference is the material used to insulate the wire .

Cloth is the traditional insulation, plastic is the modern version. Comes down to your asthetic perference.

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

Pure aesthetics.

 

[SasquatchDude]

Functionally, none.

I'm guessing cloth might be less likely to turn into nasty, smoking, molten goop if you accidentally graze it with your soldering iron?

 

[musicman666]

Cloth insulation will have a rounder smoother bottom end tone, while plastic will be more pronounced in the highs! Electrons much prefer to flow through the soft touch of cloth.

 

[ODDBALL]

Cloth insulation will have a rounder smoother bottom end tone, while plastic will be more pronounced in the highs! Electrons much prefer to flow through the soft touch of cloth.

Is this True?

Shaun

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Cloth insulation will have a rounder smoother bottom end tone, while plastic will be more pronounced in the highs! Electrons much prefer to flow through the soft touch of cloth.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Is this True?

Shaun

Definitely. Cloth wire is the best tone wire. If you run it through a rig powered by an Asterope power cable be prepared for tonal heaven.



But yeah, nothing more than aesthetics.

 

[Hopkins]

No difference at all, except cloth insulation is a major PIA to work with, is stiff, and takes up more room in a control cavity. The only reason it is still used is for some weird nostalgic attachment to wanting to do things like Leo did back in the 50s.

 

[dmac1961]

Cloth does have a functional advantage, you can pull the cloth back when making the solder connection, when you're done, let it go and the cloth will cover the connection. Not as neat as heat shrinking, but easier and functional.

 

[ODDBALL]

Definitely. Cloth wire is the best tone wire. If you run it through a rig powered by an Asterope power cable be prepared for tonal heaven.



But yeah, nothing more than aesthetics.

Ok... Jokes on me .

Thanks for the clarification.

Shaun

 

[tangentmusic]

Is this True?

Shaun

Surely you're familiar with TB's irreverent humor?

 

[ODDBALL]

Does this sound like a good harness for a passive P bass.

Standard wiring kit for P Bass®. Features high quality USA made components for the best in tone and durability. Kit includes: (2) CTS 250k solid shaft pots, Switchcraft 1/4" jack, 4 ft. each black/white poly wire, and .047mfd Orange Drop tone capacitor

Shaun

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Does this sound like a good harness for a passive P bass.

Standard wiring kit for P Bass®. Features high quality USA made components for the best in tone and durability. Kit includes: (2) CTS 250k solid shaft pots, Switchcraft 1/4" jack, 4 ft. each black/white poly wire, and .047mfd Orange Drop tone capacitor

Shaun

Sounds great to me, pretty much industry standard (i.e. Fender)

 

[ODDBALL]

Thanks!

How will the Orange Drop change the tone?

Shaun

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

Thanks!

How will the Orange Drop change the tone?

Shaun

It may, it may not. Some people say it changes the tone, some don't hear it. It is a good quality component, but I wouldn't pay an arm and a leg for one either.

 

[chienmort]

Does this sound like a good harness for a passive P bass.

Standard wiring kit for P Bass®. Features high quality USA made components for the best in tone and durability. Kit includes: (2) CTS 250k solid shaft pots, Switchcraft 1/4" jack, 4 ft. each black/white poly wire, and .047mfd Orange Drop tone capacitor

Shaun

Voodoo alert Orange Drop it to tone what Wild Cherry is to volleyball. If it is a good quality cap it dim't need orange and it don't need oil.


It ain't how low you can go but what you do when you get there!

 

[awilkie84]

It may, it may not. Some people say it changes the tone, some don't hear it. It is a good quality component, but I wouldn't pay an arm and a leg for one either.

I've used Orange drops, as well as generic capacitors of the same values...never noticed a difference.

 

[Treadstone71]

I've had a Sprague .047uf orange drop and a Panasonic gumdrop cap (same capacitance) in my gigging bass, and I've never heard a difference in the voicing of my chordatures.

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

I've used Orange drops, as well as generic capacitors of the same values...never noticed a difference.

Agreed.