• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Instrument cable!!!

Man - this keeps going around and around, doesn't it!

Just get a good name brand - Whirlwind, ProCo, etc. They are made with good quality wire such as Canare or Mogami, and use quality connectors. Your money is wasted on Monster, etc. unless you are really rough on your cables and need the lifetime warranty to get replacements. You should be able to get 3 very good cables for your 100 Pounds.
 
You should be able to get 3 very good cables for your 100 Pounds.

+1 It's always good to have a backup cable(s).

I bought a Monster, because 1) lifetime warranty and 2) they're common and easy to find. I've never been in a music shop that doesn't have Monster. If I have a problem with it, I can walk into any shop and they'll give me a new one. (But I've never had to do that yet.)

Like I mentioned in your amp thread (and to expand on Bongo's "grumpy answer" ;)), the search function is the best place to start with any questions. I've never had a question that someone hasn't already asked and answered.

Welcome to Talkbass!

5sg.
 
+1 on dimarzio cables; spectraflex are also excellent, not overpriced like monster, fairly common, and also have a lifetime warranty.
 
+1 on dimarzio cables; spectraflex are also excellent, not overpriced like monster, fairly common, and also have a lifetime warranty.

I don't know if I'd agree with "overpriced." I bought a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 20ft cable for $49 new (21ft, angled/straight, gold plated) and they're currently $35 at Musician's Friend. Comparable Livewire Elite and Mogami cables are $39 and $59 respectively, so the Monster wasn't totally out of the ballpark.

I didn't really know any better when I bought my Monster, I guess. I was suckered in by words like "lifetime warranty," "bass specific" and "extended low frequency response." Whether that's all hype or not... I don't know, you decide. ;)

It's been my main cable for 8 years, no problems and I love my tone... so there you have it. *shrug*

5sg.
 
My [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 20ft cable was $49 new (21ft, angled/straight). If I had to get a new cable today, I might go with another brand, but I didn't really know any better at the time. I was suckered in by words like "lifetime warranty," "bass specific" and "extended low frequency response." Whether that's all hype or not... I don't know, you decide. ;)

It's been my main cable for 8 years, no problems and I love my tone... so there you have it. *shrug*

5sg.

My 18' Mogami Golds were more expensive than that. I have no regrets.
 
I know everyone likes to bag on Monster, and they certainly have some questionable legal practices, but the concept of buying a cable once and being able to exchange it at the largest music store chain in the country.....no questions asked.......is certainly appealing to me. I haven't had to buy cables in years thanks to that warranty.
 
I have nothing to say about Monster since I have never had one. We have a few of their mic cables and they have never failed. The reason I never considered them for my bass was that I had heard the barrels are fatter and will wallow out your jacks. I have an original vintage bass and just didn't want to take a chance. Whether that is true or not I don't know, but I ended up with the Mogamis. I also changed every single patch cable in my rack and on my board to Mogami Gold and it eliminated all the noise I was getting with the other various cables I was using. That was a few years ago and I haven't had one fail yet.
 
Interesting Floyd, I guess I never heard that. I'll pay more attention... I use a 3ft. Fender cheapo at home (because I practice through headphones... roommates, sheesh :rollno: lol), but next time I grab a bass, I'll try both cables. :)

A good tip on the patch cables too... I should tell that to my guitarist at church. His pedalboard is NOISYYYYYYYYY. So much so that even the director and vocalists have commented on it. :hmm:

5sg.
 
Interesting Floyd, I guess I never heard that. I'll pay more attention... I use a 3ft. Fender cheapo at home (because I practice through headphones... roommates, sheesh :rollno: lol), but next time I grab a bass, I'll try both cables. :)

A good tip on the patch cables too... I should tell that to my guitarist at church. His pedalboard is NOISYYYYYYYYY. So much so that even the director and vocalists have commented on it. :hmm:

5sg.

Like I said, I can't vouch for the validity of that statement. I have read though where people couldn't get other brand cables to fit tightly after using Monsters.

As for the pedal board, there are a lot of reasons that could be contributing to the noise. Eliminating cables from the equation will at a minimum allow you to run down problem pedals more quickly.
 
As for the pedal board, there are a lot of reasons that could be contributing to the noise. Eliminating cables from the equation will at a minimum allow you to run down problem pedals more quickly.

I've already figured out that his problems with pedalboard noise are the pedals themselves. :p I use in-ear monitors at church and I can usually tell what pedal he's turned on by which flavor of hiss I hear coming from his channel. lol (His Zoom A2.1u has more of a "ssssssss," the Blues Driver has more of a "sshhhh," etc. lol) He also dimes the treble knob on his amp and usually bumps it on his guitars too, because he can't hear the offending high frequencies. :hmm:

5sg.