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music shop phasing out monster cables

#4
Hutzbordello said:
the whole reason for buying these cheap cables was for the return policy/exchange. apparently they are phasing out monster cables at the local shop. o well, it was a good investment while it lasted.
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Is there another local place that carries them? I've been using Monster Cables since about 2000. For Chicago, I just take them to Guitar Center for a quick & easy exchange.
 
#6
I've never used Monster cables. I continue to use and abuse the cheap ones (I pay like $20 for 30foot). I can't recall the brand. Some are over 5 years old, some are probably over ten. They've gigged a few times a week, been stepped on, folded, trapped in car doors, bent, have had my kids play "bendy" with them, replaced connectors, and they still work.

I'm cynical of a brand whose claim to fame was how excellent their return policy was. I want an excellent product over an excellent resolution process for gear that consistently fails.

I also heard Monster cable connectors are slightly larger for better contact in the jack. Which makes it harder to go back to smaller ones. I'm not sure if that is true, but its another factor feeding my cynicism.
 
#7
I've heard many people explain that their Monster cable purchases were driven in part by the company's excellent warranty. While I can understand that point of view based on $, my experience with MC led me to seek out a more reliable product at a better price.

Back in the 1990's, I went through two Monster Cables before I gave them up- they both went intermittent within 6 months. Nice warranty, but I don't want to have to deal with it- especially on a gig.

I now assemble my own for around $15 for a 14ft. cable, and have never had one fail since 1995. If I were to buy one, it would definitely be the Planet Waves- it's only $4 more than what I spend (no assembly) and it has a decent warranty as well.
 
#9
I had a monster cable get sliced in two by a falling cymbal. Took it to a local guitar center, no receipt, cable was 5+ years old, and they handed me a brand new one, no questions asked.

So, I would say there's something beneficial to that lifetime warranty. I'll never have to pay a dime for a cable EVER again.
 
#11
This is such a n00b question but, how do you know if a cable craps out?

My Monster S100 12 ft cable was purchased with my 1st bass over 5 years ago.
It's alittle hum-my is that normal?
It's only noticable if I stop playing i.e. both hands aren't moving to make a sound. (If I sound n00b already might as well go all the way right?)
 
#12
Eric Moesle said:
I had a monster cable get sliced in two by a falling cymbal. Took it to a local guitar center, no receipt, cable was 5+ years old, and they handed me a brand new one, no questions asked.

So, I would say there's something beneficial to that lifetime warranty. I'll never have to pay a dime for a cable EVER again.
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That's great they did that for you!

I'd still rather a working product I didn't have to return to the store every few months. I drive a V8 and in today's economy kilometres are starting to equal serious dollars.
 
#13
XtheDeadPawn said:
This is such a n00b question but, how do you know if a cable craps out?

My Monster S100 12 ft cable was purchased with my 1st bass over 5 years ago.
It's alittle hum-my is that normal?
It's only noticable if I stop playing i.e. both hands aren't moving to make a sound. (If I sound n00b already might as well go all the way right?)
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Swap it with another cable. Same problem? Try a different brand of cable. Still same problem? Probably not the cable at fault. Turn up the volume :D
 
#15
Depth_Charge said:
That's great they did that for you!

I'd still rather a working product I didn't have to return to the store every few months. I drive a V8 and in today's economy kilometres are starting to equal serious dollars.
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I disagree about the every few months bit. In ten years, I have needed to use the warranty twice (I own 4-5 diff. Monster cables)., and both times the cables were over 6 years old.
 
#17
mmbongo said:
Planet Waves. Better cable, better warranty, costs less.
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I like planet wave cables too, and they are definitely cheaper. But better warranty? You can take your broken monster cable to a dealer and swap it for a new one no matter how old it is and no receipt and/or packaging is needed. Planet waves doesn't do that as far as I know.

I should also mention that, in my personal experience, my planet waves cables have lasted much longer than my monster cables ever have.
 
#18
Eric Moesle said:
I had a monster cable get sliced in two by a falling cymbal. Took it to a local guitar center, no receipt, cable was 5+ years old, and they handed me a brand new one, no questions asked.

So, I would say there's something beneficial to that lifetime warranty. I'll never have to pay a dime for a cable EVER again.
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Do you still have the sliced cable? Maybe you could go to guitar center again and try to get another one... :hiding:
 
#20
El Beardo said:
I like planet wave cables too, and they are definitely cheaper. But better warranty? You can take your broken monster cable to a dealer and swap it for a new one no matter how old it is and no receipt and/or packaging is needed. Planet waves doesn't do that as far as I know.

I should also mention that, in my personal experience, my planet waves cables have lasted much longer than my monster cables ever have.
Click to expand...

I've done it with a Planet Waves before with no issues.
 

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