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How long an instrument cable do I need for live show?

Ah, I get the Entwistle joke now :) I'm probably 70% entwistle. Not in ability, but mobility. Haha

Those curly ones don't even touch the ground.
entwistle-620-80.jpg
 
this. best purchase I have made.
I have this receiver. Will mount to your board. Includes tuner - activated by the foot switch, also mutes in tune mode.

I don't use effects, so it just sites on top of my cab.

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That looks really cool. Stompbox style with tuner would be handy. How would you rate the tuner? I ask because, not sure if it's just me, but most tuners I try don't work great for my bass. Take a while and seem to get lost. TC Polytune mini is what I use and it's great.

Dang I didn't want to think about wireless. Now I'm thinking about wireless. :)
 
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I try to keep my cable lengths as short as comfortably possible. High impedance connections like a passive bass (active basses with preamps can be different) are pretty sensitive to parallel capacitance in the instrument cable, so you want to keep them short. I don't think I own a cable longer than 15', but for the most part I try to use 10'.
Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. I was leaning toward "just get a super long cable" to avoid any issues. But now I'm thinking that bringing an array of cable sizes and choosing the right ones for the job might be best. Especially since my basses are passive.
 
That looks really cool. Stompbox style with tuner would be handy. How would you rate the tuner? I ask because, not sure if it's just me, but most tuners I try don't work great for my bass. Take a while and seem to get lost. TC Polytune mini is what I use and it's great.

Dang I didn't want to think about wireless. Now I'm thinking about wireless. :)

I think it works great. Better than the clipons IMO
 
Depends if you are Entwistle type or Steve Harris type. Do you stand in one place or run all over the stage?
I used to think his nickname 'The Ox' referred to his lack of movement, like he was some sort of immovevable force like an ox or mule. I later read that it was because he could drink (and other types of indulgements) everyone under the table.
 
Whatever size you get, bring a roll of gaffer tape to keep things safe, or a rug to run the cables under.
You seemed dismissive of it, but running a wireless system does make life a lot easier, especially if you're planning on moving around.
Look at something like the Line 6 G30 ... the reciever fits on your pedalboard.
Good luck on the gigs!

Like the one I'm selling? ;)

But seriously I have about 6 cables all varying in length between 10 and 25 feet for when I don't go wireless. Not a bad idea to have varying lengths because you never know what size stage you have to work with.
 
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Like the one I'm selling? ;)

But seriously I have about 6 cables all varying in length between 10 and 25 feet for when I don't go wireless. Not a bad idea to have varying lengths because you never know what size stage you have to work with.
This is starting to seem like the best option for me. Man i love this place. Thanks for all the answers, my friends. Very much appreciated.
 
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I use a 10' from board to amp, because most of the time I position my pedalboard right in front of the amp.
Then a 35' from there to bass, cause I like to run around and jump off things.
The passive jazz bass does fine with a long cable. Nothing rolls off that I would consider noticeable at unreasonably high volumes. Ludicrously loud with guitars and mega drums, it sounds fine.
Plenty of boom still gets to FOH.
 
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Thank you. That's great advice on the tape and/or rugs. Ordering some gaffer right now.

Re: Wireless: Didn't mean to sound dismissive of the wireless idea. It's just not something I want to incorporate right now. I used them years ago, and didn't like how they changed the tone. Also had a few wireless "incidents" onstage (think spinal tap) that make me a little leery of them. I'm sure technology has improved, of course, but it makes me nervous all the same. Trying to limit potential points of failure. And I hate batteries :)

Are most of you steady giggers using wireless these days though? Maybe I'm missing out?

The new Shure system sounds identical to a short quality cable, and is USB chargeable. Just FYI ;)
 
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Don't forget, wireless can give you problems if you are too close the same as if you are too far.

I carry a few 10',15', and 25' cables. I don't have a pedal board but i use a stomp box tuner so i use two cables on stage. I usually rig up so the tuner is behind me so i don't trip over it.

I also keep a handfull of velcro wire wraps and some gaffer tape so i can keep from having a mess of cables under foot.
 
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After many years I've pretty much standardized on 20' cables. More than enough reach for where I stand and move, and not a ton of wire on the floor. You can always coil and tie it off with a twisty if the stage is tiny. I'll just drop the coil on the floor alongside the amp.
 
this. best purchase I have made.
I have this receiver. Will mount to your board. Includes tuner - activated by the foot switch, also mutes in tune mode.

I don't use effects, so it just sites on top of my cab.

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+1 to this.....one of the best purchases I have ever made. This to Radial Tonebone Bassbone direct to PA. So all I need is a 6 ft. cord.