music shop phasing out monster cables

[ppal]

I've got three MC that are close to 20 years old, still working fine (maybe a higher level of quality back then). But my main cable now is Zaolla cables, I just love them, they sound better that the MC, or anything else out there IMO, and they use heavier guage wire (silver) instead of copper....also lifetime warranty.

 

[lunarpollen]

I think many if not most cable brands offer comparable warrantees nowadays.

 

[fdeck]

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.

Perhaps the shop thought that Monster was jerking them around. For instance, some franchises require their retailers to carry unreasonable inventory levels of specialized items that are hard to sell.

It's too bad for the store unless they can get another brand. Most music stores make their highest margins on accessories.

My cables come with a lifetime warranty that includes free 24/7 delivery directly to the gig venue. And each cable is tested by a bassist with a real bass.

 

[sandmangeck]

Those Zaolla cables are really expensive. I wouldn't spend 114 on an instrument cable

 

[ggunn]

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.

Why do you need to keep taking them back? IMO the best type of warranty is one you never have to use.

Monster Cables? Put me down as "no, thanks".

 

[Munjibunga]

I don't get it. I can't remember ever having a cable of any brand crap out on me. What are you people doing to these cables?

I have some Monster cables that I bought out of the $10 bin at GC blowouts. I figured if they didn't work I could just trade them back to GC for new ones. They all work though.

Nowadays I make my own cables. There's not a huge cost savings when you buy the components at retail, but it's all Neutrik plugs and Mogami wire assembled to be bullet-proof.

 

[Ric5]

I buy a whole bunch of the $4.99 cables from musician's friend and they work as good as monster cables.

 

[leegreenman]

I have a Roadhog branded cable that I've been using for about 5yrs. Don't remember what I paid for it but it's indestructible.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

What are you guys doing to your cables? Using them to floss your teeth? Using them for tow cables? Rope to attach anchors to your boat? I've had the same 2 livewire cables for 3 years and neither crackle, hum or "crap out" on me. I just tape the sleeves that like to vibrate themselves off the plug with electrical tape and they've been good for years. And I believe that livewire has the same return policy. oh and a MUCH better price.

 

[Joe Louvar]

I’ve been using the same monster bass cables for about 12 years with no problems. Planet Waves is good, and if you have time you can make your own cables too.

 

[DwaynieAD]

i have some yellow cloth covered cable i got at gc for like 7.99 six years ago and its still going strong, covered in beer and soda and blood and sweat.. its actually pretty nasty but it still works great.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

The plugs on most monster cables can mess up input jacks on some basses, so much that other cables wont work anymore.

Maybe they have made improvements, but I havent touched a monster cable for years after needed to replace a jack...

 

[ripman3]

All of my instrument and patch cables are monster bass cables. Expensive, but they look freakin cool !

 

[Handyman]

Nowadays I make my own cables. There's not a huge cost savings when you buy the components at retail, but it's all Neutrik plugs and Mogami wire assembled to be bullet-proof.

I've been doing the same thing with Neutrik plugs and RedCo Audio's house brand of instrument cable. At $0.50 per foot plus plugs, its not super cheap, but certainly cheaper than getting something similarly rugged pre-made.

The only secret to a good robust cable is good plugs, and enough strain relief on the ends.

 

[pasta4lnch]

I don't get it. I can't remember ever having a cable of any brand crap out on me. What are you people doing to these cables?

me neither (though now that I've said something ) I've been using the same pro co cables in my live rig for the last 5 or 6 years (at least 150-200 gigs) I've also had the same pro co XLR cables in my studio live room for the past ten years - several hundred sessions, no problem at all.

 

[T-MOST]

I have 6 Monster cables. I have been using them exclusively for about 6 years now. I've never had a problem with any of them. No shorts, no snaps, crackles or pops and no jack damage to my basses or anything else. They are expensive (not the most expensive) but so are about a dozen othe brands. They are great cables.

 

[pablomigraine]

+1.
Monster cables and the lifetime warranty are overrrated. And since when are they considered "Cheap"? They'e some of the most expensive cables out there.

There are a lot of factors at work here. Firstly, bear in mind that the price of copper goes up every year... every single year, without fail. That means that manufacturers raise their vendor prices (the price that the dealers and stores pay). The retailers, your local mom and pop shop or GC or whoever, faces the choice of raising their prices accordingly... in an industry that is hanging on by it's fingernails to start with, or reduce their margin. In most cases, the dealer will try to find a comparable product that costs less, usually on account of savings rendered from less packaging, less advertising etc.

Monster Cable has not only raised its prices radically in recent months, they have also steadily reduced the copper weight in their "standard" model cables... their most popular line. A 12' Standard instrument cable from monster actually weighs 80% of what it used to 4 years ago... because of the reduced copper weight.... as we all know... less copper, less signal and signal quality. Monster is making it senseless to purchase anything but their specialty cables, which are great cables, but astronomically expensive, and get more expensive every year.

So, for the vast majority of cable sales, the cheapo instrument and non-specialty mic cable, many dealers are looking for a better product at the same cost, not necessarily a cheaper product. Road Hog cables from Rapco are cheaper by 18% by length than the Monster Standard, have 12% MORE copper in them, use multiple wraps and have solid metal ends instead of plastic like the Monster Standard. In ever way, a better cable. It's also less expensive, has only 20% as much packaging and has the same warranty as Monster.

Why wouldn't you want a better cable for less money? Of course you'll always find those few folks who truly believe that a Mercedes E500 is somehow a far superior vehicle to an Audi A6 4.2, simply because it costs 20% more and has the fancy hood ornament....

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

and they use heavier guage wire (silver) instead of copper....also lifetime warranty.

Silver is very slightly more conductive than copper, but much more expensive. I'd go with copper.

I think many if not most cable brands offer comparable warrantees nowadays.

True, although if you know what you're doing with regard to handling your cables you should almost never need it. To me, a "lifetime warranty" on an instrument cable is practically irrelevent.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

My cables come with a lifetime warranty that includes free 24/7 delivery directly to the gig venue. And each cable is tested by a bassist with a real bass.

 

[logicman69]

I've been slowly switching my personal Monster cable collection over to PROformance cable. Works just as good for me in a live setting, costs me a quarter of what MC costs me, and it's Made in the USA (Monster Cable is Made in China)....