I got mine yesterday and can't hear any difference between it and my Planet Waves cable. I'm used to thick ends; the PW cable has nearly the same design. The thickness of the jacket isn't an issue but the stiffness is a minor drawback. I'll see if it loosens up over time but for now it won't replace my PW cable (which cost less than half what the Elixer costs).
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Free Elixir 20ft cable
- Thread starter robd
- Start date
Got mine today.
It's ironic, because last night I spent about 3 hours in my studio laying down bass tracks for my son's demo CD's for music schools. Since I had isolated bass track with my peavey/hand rolled 20ft. cable, I thought this would be a good 'head to head' comparison.
Just got done laying the same tracks as last night, via a different channel, except these were with the 20ft Elixir cables sent to me free. Everything else was the same, bass, amp, etc. After listening to both tracks, I can tell very, VERY little difference between the to cables. My son agrees. There may be a few more over tones with the Elixir, but not enough for my "non-audiophile" ears to hear. Not enough for me to spend a huge amount of $ on, or go out of my way to buy "JUST ELIXIR CABLES."
But, hey...I ain't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
THANKS ELIXIR, it'll be put to good use.
Rich
It's ironic, because last night I spent about 3 hours in my studio laying down bass tracks for my son's demo CD's for music schools. Since I had isolated bass track with my peavey/hand rolled 20ft. cable, I thought this would be a good 'head to head' comparison.
Just got done laying the same tracks as last night, via a different channel, except these were with the 20ft Elixir cables sent to me free. Everything else was the same, bass, amp, etc. After listening to both tracks, I can tell very, VERY little difference between the to cables. My son agrees. There may be a few more over tones with the Elixir, but not enough for my "non-audiophile" ears to hear. Not enough for me to spend a huge amount of $ on, or go out of my way to buy "JUST ELIXIR CABLES."
But, hey...I ain't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
THANKS ELIXIR, it'll be put to good use.
Rich
Rich, what did you use to make that first cable? I have some bulk star-quad microphone cable left over from a mic cable project and I've always wondered how it would work as an instrument cable. With 4 internal wires it would have built-in redundancy, and the braided shield is very good. The jacket is the usual thickness and coils easily. I think I've just talked myself into trying it out as instrument cable.
The stiffness will wear away eventually. Been using mine for a few months now and it's nicely worn in. Coils and uncoils better than my other cords cause it's so thick.
One issue I have is the ends, they are a little too big for my liking. One of my basses has a jack that is sort of set in the front of the body and the plug doesn't really fit in the hole that is there. Seems as if the bass was designed with your average switchcraft jack in mind.
One issue I have is the ends, they are a little too big for my liking. One of my basses has a jack that is sort of set in the front of the body and the plug doesn't really fit in the hole that is there. Seems as if the bass was designed with your average switchcraft jack in mind.
Bob,
My 'hand-rolled' cables are from Peavey. I have a friend who is a Peavey dealer and she gets tons of Peavey cables. I don't care for Peavey ends, so I replace them with Switchcraft ends (1 straight and 1 90'". I'm not sure what 'brand' of cable Peavey uses, it reads, "Professional OFC Noiseless Instrument cable." I usually have about $20 in my cables when I'm done ($13-15-cable +2-$2.50 ends). However, I end up with 2 "extra" ends, from the OG cable, that I'll use for pedal cables, etc.
I just 'googled' elixir bass cable and found prices range from $39.00 + $5.00s/h to $69.00 + $5.95s/h. Elixir's have a "limited lifetime warranty," though.
My 'hand-rolled' cables are from Peavey. I have a friend who is a Peavey dealer and she gets tons of Peavey cables. I don't care for Peavey ends, so I replace them with Switchcraft ends (1 straight and 1 90'". I'm not sure what 'brand' of cable Peavey uses, it reads, "Professional OFC Noiseless Instrument cable." I usually have about $20 in my cables when I'm done ($13-15-cable +2-$2.50 ends). However, I end up with 2 "extra" ends, from the OG cable, that I'll use for pedal cables, etc.
I just 'googled' elixir bass cable and found prices range from $39.00 + $5.00s/h to $69.00 + $5.95s/h. Elixir's have a "limited lifetime warranty," though.
The more I use this, the more I like it. The stiffness is going away (sorta) and while it sounds very nice thru my Ampeg, it makes my B20 sound wonderful (which is where it'll probably live).
I don't know if I'd pay the $70 asking price (from most retailers), but I'm really glad I signed up and got an evaluation copy.
I don't know if I'd pay the $70 asking price (from most retailers), but I'm really glad I signed up and got an evaluation copy.
no increase in spam here
I always prefer a 90 on one side
I agree I would not pay $70 for a cable
I always prefer a 90 on one side
I agree I would not pay $70 for a cable
bongomania
Commercial User
I got mine today. It is stiff, but not so stiff or thick that I think it wouldn't relax over time. The plugs are bulky, and a quick attempt to disassemble them failed, making me think they would be hard to repair. They look to be glued or sonic-welded in place.
With an active bass, I heard little difference compared against my usual Canare/G&H cables. I sort of thought I heard some more brightness, but going back and forth I was not convinced, and it seemed like what I heard could easily have been placebo effect.
However! With a passive bass, the difference is dramatic. My passive bass has the single pup wired straight to the output jack, and my DI's (a TAB-Funk V71 and a Focusrite ISA One) have high input impedance, so neither end is contributing much loading. But using the Elixir cable, there was a huge increase in high-frequency content, including noise. As far as I could tell, there was no corresponding drop in low or mid frequencies, just a lot more highs. One indicator of this was that the signal overall got louder (I'm not only listening, but watching on three different sets of VU meters).
The fact is, I liked the tone of the Canare cable better. All that extra high freq content with the Elixir was not as pleasant to listen to. However if that's something you want, like e.g. if you're a fretless soloist or a user of extra-bright strings, then this cable will suit you fine.
Again though the difference was greatly minimized with an active bass.
With an active bass, I heard little difference compared against my usual Canare/G&H cables. I sort of thought I heard some more brightness, but going back and forth I was not convinced, and it seemed like what I heard could easily have been placebo effect.
However! With a passive bass, the difference is dramatic. My passive bass has the single pup wired straight to the output jack, and my DI's (a TAB-Funk V71 and a Focusrite ISA One) have high input impedance, so neither end is contributing much loading. But using the Elixir cable, there was a huge increase in high-frequency content, including noise. As far as I could tell, there was no corresponding drop in low or mid frequencies, just a lot more highs. One indicator of this was that the signal overall got louder (I'm not only listening, but watching on three different sets of VU meters).
The fact is, I liked the tone of the Canare cable better. All that extra high freq content with the Elixir was not as pleasant to listen to. However if that's something you want, like e.g. if you're a fretless soloist or a user of extra-bright strings, then this cable will suit you fine.
Again though the difference was greatly minimized with an active bass.
A reasonable question. I just got mine and intend to use it with my SubWay Guitars bass straight into the amp. I only have one other 20' cable as a direct comparison but will compare it to the others in my collection as well (Mogami, Monster, Spectraflex George L.) this weekend. First impression with the cable still in the package; what a honking big plug! Thanks again robd.
I'm impressed with the Elixir cable!! I had the opportunity to compare the cable with other cables that I have made by Fender, Gorge L and Analysis Plus. To my ears, the Elixir sounds a little "veiled" ( some treble information seems missing) compared to the Fender and Analysis Plus, but WAY BETTER than the George L. The only thing that would prevent me from actually buying the Elixir is the lack of a 90 degree connector.
All in all, it is a very good cable!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
All in all, it is a very good cable!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
bongomania
Commercial User
I realize we all hear things differently, but I find this description very hard to understand. George L cables have very low capacitance compared to most regular instrument cables, and thus generally carry more high-frequency content. Fender cables are just ordinary old-fashioned cables, as far as I know they are exactly the same as any ProCo or Whirlwind. The Elixir carries so much high-frequency content it almost hurts my ears. I've never tried the Analysis Plus, but I frankly don't believe there is any way the human ear could hear any more highs than the Elixir carries. It all seems very backwards and weird.
No offense intended, I just don't get it.
They're available with a 90 on one end or 90's on both ends - they just shipped all of us the dual straights.
Received mine today. Compared to the 'Silverflex by Horizon' I have been using primarily I hear some slight difference in the hi frequencies and hi mids are seem more pronounced. (My 5 has an OBP-3 which I turned completely down on all 3 bands and used my passive tone control). I also have a George El .255 which I'll do a comparison with tomorrow.
First gig with it tonight. I'm going to let my guitarist have a try too. We'll see how it fairs. I'm bringing my other 'best cables' along too.
Here is the Fender cable that I have:
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The George L cable that I have has a much diameter than the other cables that I tested. (not sure if this is a factor)
No offense taken, but whether you believe it or not, I know what I heard.
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
After NYE - the bottom line for me... I can tell the difference with my passive P-Bass in my rig at home... quiet, clean and Hi-Fi... so, a win here. However, LIVE the tone difference is buried to my ears. In real life I'm most concerned about RFI/EMI issues and durability so this looks like a potential winner.
I think we're supposed to just talk about it, as it were, on the interwebz - there was mention of things like Twitter, MySpace, etc. and sending Elixir a link or something...I was thinking of a review on Harmony Central, unless we get better specifics from Elixir.
- edit - we should sent Elixir a link to this thread also...
- edit - we should sent Elixir a link to this thread also...
