ESP MusicCord

[MultiScaleMale]

What I heard is thicker low mids and a deeper bottom with the MarkBass Tube800. No difference when powering the pedalboard, no difference with my Line 6 Studio 110 combo. I didn't get my lead sled amp out though. I didn't conduct a proper scientific experiment, but I could tell which cord was used with my back turned. Again, not a statistically significant sample, but enough to make me satisfied. Is it possible that a more robust cord that's closer to the gauge of wiring in the wall is supplying power more readily than the cheap power cables? It's not going to make bad wiring in the wall better, but there's a reason that certain gauge wiring is specified for different amp circuits. I just cut open a power cord and it was not anywhere near as robust as the wiring in the wall (just going by memory from when I saw it). A standard power cord seems like putting a garden hose nozzle on a fire hose. Is a standard power cord sufficient? I guess, but wouldn't something closer to wiring in the wall be better? Especially with a high current amp?

 

[playerunk]

Let me ask some of you that seem to be pretty knowledgeable about electric current, why do you think it's so expensive? Is it just hype??? There has to be something about this cord that is different then the standard 16 or 18 gauge power cord that usually comes with an amp? Everyone has said what it can't do, well what can it do????

It's expensive so people will perceive it as high quality.
What it can do is exactly what your normal power cord does.

 

[Paullee01]

That makes sense, isn't most romex wire in the walls going to outlets 12 or 14 gauge. Why would you what a power cord that's only 18 gauge powering your amp..

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Amp power cords are usually about 14 or 16 AWG.

Of course, for a short length like 6 ft, even 18 AWG wouldn't make a noticeable difference if the amp runs off a standard 15A circuit.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

So when are we starting the esp power cable tour thread?

I considered it.

 

[Paullee01]

Cybersnyder since you've been using this cord I'm going to cut right to the chase.

If you lost the cord some how or it was stolen would you buy another one?????

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Cybersnyder since you've been using this cord I'm going to cut right to the chase.

If you lost the cord some how or it was stolen would you buy another one?????

I bought a second one already. Sonic qualities aside, I think the cable is worth it based on build quality alone. The $499 power strip is not.

 

[Paullee01]

The negative I see with the cable is I would think the weight of the cable would put some strain on the amp plug. It also doesn't look very flexible.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The negative I see with the cable is I would think the weight of the cable would put some strain on the amp plug. It also doesn't look very flexible.

Possible. It rolls up to about a 12" diameter coil. That's about it for flexibility. It will coil more tightly, but that's where it's "comfortable".

 

[billfitzmaurice]

isn't most romex wire in the walls going to outlets 12 or 14 gauge. Why would you what a power cord that's only 18 gauge powering your amp..

The Romex has to be large enough to handle the total current draw of everything plugged into the outlets it serves, and in most houses there are at least three outlets per branch circuit. An amp cord only has to handle the current draw of the amp.

 

[Passinwind]

The Romex has to be large enough to handle the total current draw of everything plugged into the outlets it serves, and in most houses there are at least three outlets per branch circuit.

And in most cases it is also a whole lot longer than your amp's power cord.

 

[WalterBush]

It's not going to make bad wiring in the wall better, but there's a reason that certain gauge wiring is specified for different amp circuits. I just cut open a power cord and it was not anywhere near as robust as the wiring in the wall (just going by memory from when I saw it). A standard power cord seems like putting a garden hose nozzle on a fire hose. Is a standard power cord sufficient? I guess, but wouldn't something closer to wiring in the wall be better? Especially with a high current amp?

The only reason for heavier guage wire is to dissipate heat to avoid tripping breakers or cable damage, OR to avoid voltage drop, which doesn't come into the equation until about 100' of length is reached, since AWG's are all over-rated rather than under.

A smaller guage wire only acts like a resistor (garden nozzle on fire hose) when the smaller guage is already insufficient to dissipate the heat released when you draw more power than the wire's rated for. Using bigger wire will not change the signal, voltage, or current one iota. The wire used will either handle the power, or heat up and start to melt the jacketing on the cable, usually resulting in insulation burning off and a breaker being tripped when two wires connect. In cables rated for higher heat handling (oven wiring, certain specialized lighting, etc) the copper will melt, appearing to burn off, before the cable catches fire.

 

[Robin Ruscio]

I've been using the Pro ESP cord for about 10 months as a full time pro everywhere from bars to 2200 seat theaters, and it definitely sounds better through either amp I own, any bass. Fuller bottom, crisper highs, warmer, hi fi sound. Yes, I can tell with the band. I've been playing professionally for 15 years and have very picky ears, FWIW, not playing in my basement with kids.

Compared to the other $55k in equipment I own, this is a relatively cheap investment for good results.

Commence telling me I'm too stupid to not know my own sound like the OP.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

You're not stupid, you just don't know what a power cord does. A power cord cannot give your amp fuller bottom, crisper highs, warmer, hi fi sound, though if you don't know what they do it's easy to imagine that they can.

 

[Robin Ruscio]

You're not stupid, you just don't know what a power cord does. A power cord cannot give your amp fuller bottom, crisper highs, warmer, hi fi sound, though if you don't know what they do it's easy to imagine that they can.

I a/b'd this cord after I got it, and it sounds better. Period. It wasn't hard to tell the difference.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

If you ABXed it you probably would find that it sounds the same.

Sorry, but it's just a power cord. That's all. No magic.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I a/b'd this cord after I got it, and it sounds better. Period. It wasn't hard to tell the difference.

First hand experience with the cord is irrelevant.

 

[JimmyM]

OK, I know you're all really excited to hear my thoughts so here's what I've found so far:

Using my Micro VR and switching between the ESP cord and the cheap computer AC cord I tote with the Micro VR, and plugged in two basses...my Guitar Factory 5 with EMG PJ's and rounds, and my 76 Precision with a Fender CS P and Dimarzio Ultrajazz J with flats. This was not a scientific test...this was just a test of initial impressions. I switched between them several times, trying to pick up nuances of which one was better. As God as my witness, I could not tell a difference between the two cables.

My wife is about to help me do a blind test...I shall report the results upon completion. But so far, I'm underwhelmed with anything except build quality. It's a really nice cable but I'm not impressed so far. Sorry.

 

[Robin Ruscio]

OK, I know you're all really excited to hear my thoughts so here's what I've found so far:

Using my Micro VR and switching between the ESP cord and the cheap computer AC cord I tote with the Micro VR, and plugged in two basses...my Guitar Factory 5 with EMG PJ's and rounds, and my 76 Precision with a Fender CS P and Dimarzio Ultrajazz J with flats. This was not a scientific test...this was just a test of initial impressions. I switched between them several times, trying to pick up nuances of which one was better. As God as my witness, I could not tell a difference between the two cables.

My wife is about to help me do a blind test...I shall report the results upon completion. But so far, I'm underwhelmed with anything except build quality. It's a really nice cable but I'm not impressed so far. Sorry.

It's totally fine if you don't hear it. It's cool to have your own opinion.

BTW, I'm using the higher end PRO version, did you get that or the cheaper one?

 

[Awesomenaut]

My addition to this discussion:

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