Different instrument cables for different sounds?

[robert_stuart]

Cables are passive devices and as such can't add anything.

here is a scientific review of audio cables proving the only thing different is high end. enjoy

Analysis of Audio Cables

As the “only thing”, that’s a pretty big thing. And what people have been saying.

Summary of the article: Passive instrument tone is absolutely changed by different cables. The effect appears to be related to cable capacitance.

One can infer that piezo basses are even more susceptible than those tested.

So I’m wondering: which manufacturers advertise low impedance?

 

[gus67]

The cable in combination with the coil pickup can move the resonant peak higher up but only if the cable is conected directly to the pickup.

 

[Barghest]

A cable is a passive LPF essentially, there is no cable in the world that'll add high end, it can only cut. OP's Monster cable doesn't extend his high end, it's just that his crap backup cable cut his high end, meaning that he'd have achieved the exact same result by just rolling the tone off.

And yes, it is possible to buy your cable according to capacitance and resistance per foot, but you'll likely only see that from the manufacturer of the actual cable on their data sheets, not the guys selling finished cables. Mogami 3368 is 21.4pF/foot, measured at 1kHz, 20c, for example.

 

[J Wilson]

No.

Life is too short to split that many hairs. Good cable with genuine Neutriks and solid strain relief is all I need and use.

 

[gus67]

Let's put it this way, it doesn't add shine, it brings it back, but the fact is that some recover it in a painful way more than others...EBS high performance for example or Fender coiled (a really ice pick). I like mogamis 2524 but no more than 3.5 meters (11.5 feets aprox.) i also like neglex 2549 with the two vives joined. In the end, I always wind up with Vovox Sonorus, its bright but no harsh and a powerfull bass with not much midrange lost.

I really do think there are sonic differences, but they aren't immediately obvious; somehow, those differences add up, and after a while, you notice that something is working better than before—and the only thing you've changed is the cable.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

snip...

I really do think there are sonic differences, but they aren't immediately obvious; somehow, those differences add up, and after a while, you notice that something is working better than before—and the only thing you've changed is the cable.

The brain is a funny thing. It adds and subtracts and even outright falsifies objective facts. It is the least reliable measurement.
Perception. You change something and you think you like that and tomorrow it's the opposite.
The how's and why's are well documented. Also the required methodology for perception testing.

As for cables (instrument, speaker, power) - use what makes you happy, but stop try to imply objective differences. (apples to apples)

 

[gus67]

camon...I'm running tests with A/B selector and blind eyes. I'm not fooling myself, im mechanical engineear, i know what its FFT...do you?

 

[OldogNewTrick]

camon...I'm running tests with A/B selector and blind eyes. I'm not fooling myself, im mechanical engineear, i know what its FFT...do you?

ouch.....

 

[CryingBass]

I have seen many times when audience members will get up and leave during a performance just because a non-optimal cable was chosen...

 

[gus67]

...OF COURSE....

 

[Jack]

camon...I'm running tests with A/B selector and blind eyes. I'm not fooling myself, im mechanical engineear, i know what its FFT...do you?

Ain't nobody above bias.

 

[JimmyM]

Let's put it this way, it doesn't add shine, it brings it back, but the fact is that some recover it in a painful way more than others...EBS high performance for example or Fender coiled (a really ice pick)

Fender coiled is icepicky? That explains it:

I’ve seen a lot of what Khn has done over the years (or at least the stuff he couldn’t get pulled when they broke), and he has always used a white Fender coiled cord on his guitar. With all those pedals and the looper, it’s irrelevant and more of a looks thing, but he’s no stranger to plugging straight into an amp, I’m sure. His tone doesn’t hurt my ears but it’s pretty bright.

 

[gus67]

Fender coiled is icepicky? That explains it:

View attachment 7540195
I’ve seen a lot of what Khn has done over the years (or at least the stuff he couldn’t get pulled when they broke), and he has always used a white Fender coiled cord on his guitar. With all those pedals and the looper, it’s irrelevant and more of a looks thing, but he’s no stranger to plugging straight into an amp, I’m sure. His tone doesn’t hurt my ears but it’s pretty bright.

 

[bass player 53]

If you overlook the AI mechanical voice,
there is something to learn here. The takeaway is that things are not often what they appear to be, or what we were taught.

 

[gus67]

Fender coiled is icepicky? That explains it:

View attachment 7540195
I’ve seen a lot of what Khn has done over the years (or at least the stuff he couldn’t get pulled when they broke), and he has always used a white Fender coiled cord on his guitar. With all those pedals and the looper, it’s irrelevant and more of a looks thing, but he’s no stranger to plugging straight into an amp, I’m sure. His tone doesn’t hurt my ears but it’s pretty bright.

Fender Deluxe Coil Cable 9 m.
It was so brittle.