Do you prefer straight or 90 degree plugs?

[D M C]

I’m not sure if this is the appropriate forum to discuss, so...

I have always preferred to plug a 90 deg. jack into my bass, regardless of whether the output is on the front or the edge. I just worry that if the cord gets stepped on or the bass is knocked against something, there’s a greater chance of damaging either the bass or the cord if it’s a straight plug.

If you prefer to use a straight plug, why so?

 

[Biggbass]

I really don't see any need for straight plugs at the instrument end of the signal...unless you've got a Telecaster with that funky old style jack cup.
90 is the only way to go IMHO.

 

[grinx]

9T
I'll pull a cable out of a backline if instru-end is straight and roll my own in

 

[bholder]

Carrots - depends on the bass - if the bass is built with a recess for a straight plug, then straight plug, otherwise, mostly prefer the 90 degree plug.

 

[Watchootognbout]

One of my basses has a outlet that is recessed and on the end of the bass.
I use a straight for it.

The other has a surface mount.
I use a 90 for it.
This is so that my leg doesn't bump the plug while sitting.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I used to not have a preference, but just recently I've realized that I do prefer the 90° plugs on the instrument end.

 

[D M C]

The thing that prompted this is I’ve been seeing a lot of pix in various forums that show bassists using straight plugs on Ps & Js and I cannot understand why, unless that happened to be the only cord available at the time.

 

[BurnOut]

Yes

 

[guitarflinger]

Prefer straight plugs on the instrument end and into the amp.
Prefer right-angles plugs into and out of the pedal board

So, I guess, . . . carrots

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

"Straightocaster"

90 on most other instruments.

 

[tlc1976]

My best basses have the jack on the edge of the body, facing down or almost down. In which case I prefer the straight plug. And I prefer this jack arrangement.

For the basses with the jack on the pickguard, the 90 would take some load off the jack. But with either plug, if I stepped on the cord or it snagged on something, it will still strain the jack and pickguard, instead of it just pulling out like with the other basses.

I also find the straight plug much easier to grasp.

 

[D M C]

Prefer straight plugs on the instrument end and into the amp.
Prefer right-angles plugs into and out of the pedal board

So, I guess, . . . carrots

Yeah, I get the pedals and amps rationale. I prefer straight into the amp and I almost never use a pedal, but a straight there would take up too much room, especially a pedal board. I mostly talking about at the instrument. Why do you prefer a straight?

 

[D M C]

if I stepped on the cord or it snagged on something, it will still strain the jack and pickguard, instead of it just pulling out like with the other basses.

I’d imagine it’s more likely to snap the plug off if it is a straight, rather than yanking the socket out or cracking the pick guard with a 90, so that might be a good reason for using one.

 

[guitarflinger]

Yeah, I get the pedals and amps rationale. I prefer straight into the amp and I almost never use a pedal, but a straight there would take up too much room, especially a pedal board. I mostly talking about at the instrument. Why do you prefer a straight?

A 90 degree plug never seems to hang straight from the bass with a side jack. I switch back and forth between basses with side and front jacks during a set, so I stick with the straight one which works well for both.

 

[Pilgrim]

Straight at the amp end, 90-degree at the instrument end.

Route the cable through your strap and the orientation is perfect to minimize the chance of damage by hitting the plug on anything. It follows the contour of the bass.

 

[2saddleslab]

Right angled on guitar end, straight on the amp end.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Carrots - depends on the bass...

Also, other associated gear used. Sometimes I put the 90º plug at other interfaces. Most cables I have made with 90º connectors are short for effects or rack/external devices near my rig integration needs.

 

[96tbird]

90 because physics.

 

[ThunderFox]

Always get 90 degree jacks when plugging into any of my instruments, everything else is straight, pedalboard to amp, or whatever. Even though my cable is long, it helps just in case something pulls the cable, at least it won't pull out of the jack, makes for awkward moments on stage that always take you off guard.

When playing:
When the jack comes out:
The frustrating 10 seconds it takes to find the cable and put it back in:
What your bandmates look like when this happens:
The rest of the gig, because your embarrassed:

Moral of the story, if your bass can fit an angled jack, then get an angled jack.

 

[Drgonzonm]

Does any body make a right angle male xlr?