Making Bass Cables

Welcome to TalkBass.
There isn't one tip manufacturer company that is best. There are maybe a dozen that are best. I use Switchcraft or Neutrik.

 

I've made my own cables with Van Damme cable and Neutrik jacks.

 

If you plan to plug it in and then NEVER unplug it, then MAYBE a gold connector is worth while. If that is the case why not just solder it to begin with. Gold plating is usually very thin and won't stand up plugging in and out very often. Nickle or chrome, I tend to think chrome, but as slow as nickle is to oxidize, pragmatically it doesn't really matter. Conductivity differences is not something you will notice without lab test equipment. I am more concerned about quality of construction, accurate dimensions, and the base materials they are made from. FYI telephone companies around the world use(d) those connectors with no plating at all, just bare brass for both the plug and jack..

 

I dislike gold-plated plugs. The plating is thin and comes off inside the jack where it interferes with a good connection after a while. Often when a customer brings a bass in for a jack replacement, because it’s crackling or cutting out, I clean the jack and and it’s fine. The cleaning removes gold plating that has come off the plug. It’s obvious that the junk that comes out is gold plating, and checking with the user confirms that they are using plated plugs.

Sometimes it’s not gold plating, but 9 times out of ten it is.

 

Those Neutrik jacks are great. Spend the money and get the good ones. The silent jack is a good one. Been using it for over 9 years without failure. Mogami cables are also a good match.

 

Switchcraft 280 or Neutrik NP2C. That's all you need to know.

 

I like the Neutriks that have the screw-lock cable clamps, rather than the crimp-ons.

 

I lile the silent plugs, wonderful idea. However, I did have one that the tip came off the brass rod it was crimped onto. I had to open the instrument to get it out, and Neutrik wouldn't replace it because it was past the warranty period.

 

Mismatched metals are never a good idea in the long run. What are your mating connectors plated with? If nickel, stick with nickel plugs (I'd do that anyway, gold is just so much glitter in this case, really).

 

I only use jacks and plugs made of neptunium. It doesn't corrode and has a decent half life. There is also 30% more tone in them.
Its just really hard to get gigs in a vacuum (nevermind playing in a leaded suit)

 

He's messing with you. Once the OP's (you in this case) question has been answered, things tend to get silly.

 

I buy from these people. You can buy cable by the foot, and they have all the different plug manufacturers too.
Prices are very competitive.
Professional Video, Broadcasting & Audio Equipment | Markertek

 

Me and a buddy bought a bunch of supplies from Redco and made some cables a few years ago. They are great cables and I still use them but I don't know if I would go through the trouble of making my own again.

The fancy Neutrik TS plugs have really great cable retention pieces in them they seem to make a a rock solid cable. We went all out and put on the Techflex too, which makes for a neat cable but I'm not sure if they made any difference to the longevity. I have been meaning to get a few smaller plugs to make some patch cables with what I have left but haven't needed them yet. I could definitely use more practice with the iron, but I pull it out so infrequently that I haven't really improved my skills much.

 

You guys like George L's? I do but have limited experience with all the choices there are.