mini ELC, Monorail, or other

[livingstone]

I know there are many threads on TalkBass about cables but Google finds nothing on here for "mini ELC". I'm acquiring a Pedaltrain Pro and will be custom fitting/soldering my new effect-interconnecting cables. I sure would like to see the opinions of those who have tried both Lava mini ELC and EA Monorail and have found that they like one, or a totally different brand, over the other.

Thanks

 

[livingstone]

bump

 

[livingstone]

still trying...

 

[i2k]

IMHO, it depends on the pedals on your board. The role of a good cable is to avoid treble loss due to its' low capacitance characteristic. It will be useful if all your pedals are truebypass. But if you have 1 or more non true bypass / buffered pedal (like Boss or EBS) the effect of cable's electrical properties will be less significant. Meaning that using expensive cables for pedal patch is overkill. Cheaper alternative to Lava mini ELC is Canare GS4 which is the little brother of Canare GS6 praised a lot on this forum.

 

[bongomania]

Well put. Also we're talking about very very short cables, so capacitance and other conductive qualities become microscopic issues. IMO the most important qualities in a pedalboard patch cable are: correct length, not too bulky, yet rugged. IOW with such short cables, durability and the overall form factor are worth paying extra for, but other "audiophile" qualities are not.

 

[i2k]

+1, ruggedness & flexibility are the most important issues for patch cables. I think Canare GS4 fits to that and it's cheap (but not cheaply made).
BTW, I've dealt with www.redco.com for my patch cable needs in the past, their right angle plug is great & reasonably priced. And they also stock complete line of excellent Neutrik plugs.

 

[livingstone]

One last try for a mini ELC vs. Monorail tonal evaluation.

Thanks

 

[bongomania]

No offense, but so few people have ever used these products at all, that hoping for an A/B comparison of them on the effects subforum of a bass guitar site is pretty optimistic IMO. Have you tried over on any audiophile forums?

 

[i2k]

One last try for a mini ELC vs. Monorail tonal evaluation.

Thanks

There will be difference when you use them to connect passive bass to amp. But I'm sceptical that there will be any difference (even with cheaper cables) when you use those cables on pedalboard.

Or perhaps you can share with us why you want those brands ?

 

[livingstone]

...Or perhaps you can share with us why you want those brands ?

I don't just care about those brands; that's why I specifically stated in my title "other" and "or a totally different brand" in my OP.

 

[bongomania]

Yeah, but be real- you are asking about audiophile brands, right? Not just asking for peoples' recommendations of the "best patch cable".

 

[livingstone]

Yeah, but be real- you are asking about audiophile brands, right? Not just asking for peoples' recommendations of the "best patch cable".

Wrong. These, and others, are offered by Lava Cable as pedalboard patch cable. They are not sold as audiophile cable. I have attempted to make it obvious that I am looking for the "best patch cable." Obviously, I have failed.

 

[abngourmet]

Disclaimer: Mark S., the owner of Lava Cable is a friend of mine whom I've known for about 10 years. In the interest of transparency I felt I should say this up front.

This being said, I can't speak to Lava ELC or the EA Monorail comparison (sorry!) as I've never used the EA stuff. I can say that I use the Lava Van Den Hul Hybrid cable on my pedal board, which Mark custom-made for me (it helps if you live in the same town!). I've noticed that my rig and board are noticeably (to me, anyway) quieter. I also use Lava Cables to connect cabinets, rackmount gear, and instruments. It works well for me.

If you choose Lava Cable I think you'll find it is a great product. Mark will make you anything you need (he measured my pedalboard and rig, for example; I've also provided him with cable lengths and they were cut to order), so in my experience Lava Cable is certainly a viable option if you're looking for high end cables.

I'm not saying you should choose Lava over any other type of cable - it's truly a subjective and individual choice. Just wanted to give a perspective from someone who's used Lava Cables, that's all.

I know the OP was looking for an A/B comparison, but I hope this helps him make a decision in some small way.

Alan

 

[livingstone]

Disclaimer: Mark S., the owner of Lava Cable is a friend of mine whom I've known for about 10 years. In the interest of transparency I felt I should say this up front.

This being said, I can't speak to Lava ELC or the EA Monorail comparison (sorry!) as I've never used the EA stuff. I can say that I use the Lava Van Den Hul Hybrid cable on my pedal board, which Mark custom-made for me (it helps if you live in the same town!). I've noticed that my rig and board are noticeably (to me, anyway) quieter. I also use Lava Cables to connect cabinets, rackmount gear, and instruments. It works well for me.

If you choose Lava Cable I think you'll find it is a great product. Mark will make you anything you need (he measured my pedalboard and rig, for example; I've also provided him with cable lengths and they were cut to order), so in my experience Lava Cable is certainly a viable option if you're looking for high end cables.

I'm not saying you should choose Lava over any other type of cable - it's truly a subjective and individual choice. Just wanted to give a perspective from someone who's used Lava Cables, that's all.

I know the OP was looking for an A/B comparison, but I hope this helps him make a decision in some small way.

Alan

Thanks, Alan. Actually, Mark already gave me his personal choice--an opinion I highly value. However, I was also looking for the opinions of other bass players with regard to the tonal fidelity and the best choice for bass. I realize that the differences are indeed small but I enjoy pursuing the best tone possible especially when the extra cost to do so is minimal. I sure wouldn't mind trying the van den Hul Bay C5 Hybrid but it appears that maybe Mark isn't able to sell it to me in bulk.

 

[abngourmet]

Thanks, Alan. Actually, Mark already gave me his personal choice--an opinion I highly value. However, I was also looking for the opinions of other bass players with regard to the tonal fidelity and the best choice for bass. I realize that the differences are indeed small but I enjoy pursuing the best tone possible especially when the extra cost to do so is minimal. I sure wouldn't mind trying the van den Hul Bay C5 Hybrid but it appears that maybe Mark isn't able to sell it to me in bulk.

Dan,

I can say without question that I hear an audible difference in tone using the Van Den Hul. It is much quieter and clearer sounding to me. I've A/B'd them with Monster, Planet Waves, etc., and the difference is, to me anyway noticeable and palpable. It might not be that way for all, but if one is able to hear the difference a high end cable might be worth the expense.

Maybe you can talk Mark into letting you try one? I know he's got a money back guarantee, so you could go that route as well. Food for thought if you want to compare different cables to determine the best fit for you and the music you're making.

One other thing I didn't mention - I can vouch for the workmanship on Lava Cables - it's superb. I'm sure there are other guys out there doing the same thing and making great products too, I just don't really have anything to compare it with other than the above mentioned manufacturers. As I said, they work for me, and in the end I guess that's all that really matters.

Best of Luck,

Alan

 

[livingstone]

Yesterday the guitarist I work with and I were able to do a tone comparison between Lava mini ELC and EA Monorail. Previously I made up cables precisely the same length (12 feet) of each with G&H straights. Using my MTD 635 and Eden Metro and switching back and forth numerous times between the two cables, we listened carefully to the tone of the bass through each of these and arrived at the same conclusion. When listening to the sound of the bass through the mini ELC, we did not hear the lower mids/growl that were slightly more evident in the sound through the Monorail. On the other hand, when listening to the sound of the bass through the Monorail, we did not hear so much of the upper mid tone that was present in the sound through the mini ELC. I do think a second comparison is in order which will enable us to spend more time listening to the differences in the bottom end and very high end. I would truly like to get the facts through a spectrum analyzer but I guess our ears are what we seek to please anyway. Someday, maybe I'll be able to afford to have Mark or someone make me up some van den Hul cables for my pedalboard but, for now, I'm favoring the Evidence Audio Monorail.

 

[efe_gallagher]

Yesterday the guitarist I work with and I were able to do a tone comparison between Lava mini ELC and EA Monorail. Previously I made up cables precisely the same length (12 feet) of each with G&H straights. Using my MTD 635 and Eden Metro and switching back and forth numerous times between the two cables, we listened carefully to the tone of the bass through each of these and arrived at the same conclusion. When listening to the sound of the bass through the mini ELC, we did not hear the lower mids/growl that were slightly more evident in the sound through the Monorail. On the other hand, when listening to the sound of the bass through the Monorail, we did not hear so much of the upper mid tone that was present in the sound through the mini ELC. I do think a second comparison is in order which will enable us to spend more time listening to the differences in the bottom end and very high end. I would truly like to get the facts through a spectrum analyzer but I guess our ears are what we seek to please anyway. Someday, maybe I'll be able to afford to have Mark or someone make me up some van den Hul cables for my pedalboard but, for now, I'm favoring the Evidence Audio Monorail.

Have you done clips of such comparisons? I'm about to swap out the Hose I've had for almost 3 years for anything else (Lava Cables are what I'm "set on" right now, but this might change), so this thread is rather important for me

 

[bongomania]

OK, in the three years since my last posts in this thread, I have learned an incredible amount about cables. I have done extensive testing using professional lab equipment, and I presently own about 30 different brands of cable, from $9 up to $200, all of them in 20' lengths for apples-apples comparison.

You want a cable that has low capacitance and is ruggedly-built, with good solder joints and plenty of strain relief.

Pretty much every other claim about the tone qualities of a cable is BS and imaginary, especially when talking about cables shorter than 15 feet or so, and especially when using an active bass.

Lava is a good brand, they make good quality cables at mostly reasonable prices. So this is not a criticism of them at all. But in general, cable-tone hype is just that: hype.

Now, if you are upgrading from some actually low-quality cables, like the cheapest plastic Hosas, then it's worth investing in well-made patch cords. But if you have well-made cords already, and are hoping for some tonal improvement from gourmet patch cords, fuggetaboutit.

 

[efe_gallagher]

OK, in the three years since my last posts in this thread, I have learned an incredible amount about cables. I have done extensive testing using professional lab equipment, and I presently own about 30 different brands of cable, from $9 up to $200, all of them in 20' lengths for apples-apples comparison.

You want a cable that has low capacitance and is ruggedly-built, with good solder joints and plenty of strain relief.

Pretty much every other claim about the tone qualities of a cable is BS and imaginary, especially when talking about cables shorter than 15 feet or so, and especially when using an active bass.

Lava is a good brand, they make good quality cables at mostly reasonable prices. So this is not a criticism of them at all. But in general, cable-tone hype is just that: hype.

Now, if you are upgrading from some actually low-quality cables, like the cheapest plastic Hosas, then it's worth investing in well-made patch cords. But if you have well-made cords already, and are hoping for some tonal improvement from gourmet patch cords, fuggetaboutit.

Thank you Bongomania!! I knew bringing threads back from the death would throw fresher results... specially after the honeymoon everyone gets right after they've bought something
And yes, I'm upgrading from these http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/bigpics/hosa\cfs-606.jpg

 

[livingstone]

OK, in the three years since my last posts in this thread, I have learned an incredible amount about cables. I have done extensive testing using professional lab equipment, and I presently own about 30 different brands of cable, from $9 up to $200, all of them in 20' lengths for apples-apples comparison.

You want a cable that has low capacitance and is ruggedly-built, with good solder joints and plenty of strain relief.

Pretty much every other claim about the tone qualities of a cable is BS and imaginary, especially when talking about cables shorter than 15 feet or so, and especially when using an active bass.

Lava is a good brand, they make good quality cables at mostly reasonable prices. So this is not a criticism of them at all. But in general, cable-tone hype is just that: hype.

Now, if you are upgrading from some actually low-quality cables, like the cheapest plastic Hosas, then it's worth investing in well-made patch cords. But if you have well-made cords already, and are hoping for some tonal improvement from gourmet patch cords, fuggetaboutit.

Let me get this straight--you do "apples-apples" comparisons using your collection of 20' cables but yet your stated conclusion refers only to cables shorter than 15 feet? IME: BS