• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Snake Questions

SurferJoe46

SurferJoe46

Feb 22, 2010
9,057
763
The Bitterroot Mounts, Montana
#1
Do I really need/want one?

I have a few cables running back and forth from my cabs/drivers/stomp board and power supplies.

What exactly can a snake do for me?

Can it carry 120VAC?

I like to have my board in front of me and me in front of my Amp/Combo du jour.

I run a few mics, a second or third amp/PA for my harmonicas and only two actual cables to the bass amp/head (Input + 120VAC)

Is there a maximum length or are they all pretty standard in length?
 
#4
Surfer... are you talking about a snake to run all of your stage inputs to a mixer, or a small snake going from your amp to your pedalboard?

If it's the latter, you'll have a tough time finding a snake that has exactly the ins/outs you need (specific # of 1/4", xlr, power). But you can make one yourself. Grab all of your cables/wires together, and wrap them tightly with baseball bat/tennis racket grip tape. Use the non-adhesive type, unless you never plan on taking it apart. Wrap around some gaff tape every 6-12 inches or so, and that should keep it all together.

Just be don't wrap any AC power with your audio signal. That could make for some nice hum. Leave it out. If it's just 9v DC wires, that shouldn't be too bad.

The benefit would be to minimize trip hazards and reduce set up time.
 
#5
walker rosewood said:
Surfer... are you talking about a snake to run all of your stage inputs to a mixer, or a small snake going from your amp to your pedalboard?

If it's the latter, you'll have a tough time finding a snake that has exactly the ins/outs you need (specific # of 1/4", xlr, power). But you can make one yourself. Grab all of your cables/wires together, and wrap them tightly with baseball bat/tennis racket grip tape. Use the non-adhesive type, unless you never plan on taking it apart. Wrap around some gaff tape every 6-12 inches or so, and that should keep it all together.

Just be don't wrap any AC power with your audio signal. That could make for some nice hum. Leave it out. If it's just 9v DC wires, that shouldn't be too bad.

The benefit would be to minimize trip hazards and reduce set up time.
Click to expand...

Yeah - I'm thinking of this Spring/Summer BBQ season and all the wires that are in my way and make a big mess to coil up and take down when it's all over.

Since we don't us an in-house PA system and just several individual PAs for the singer(s) and a few things like my harmonicas, I thought I could consolidate them all into a 'snake' of some sort.

I think I can make up a system that will plug into what we use and have a small amount of additional circuits to handle any future yet small new cables that might be added to the show.

Lights and power supply are out I guess, so that's no biggie, but I hate all that explosion in a spaghetti factory under my feet. If I could have just one giant ankle buster that would be better.

What I figure for just me is three XLR, three TRS and three standard 1/4"/1/4" cables and perhaps the iSpot 9 VDC power supply line running in it too.

The stomps and tuner board only have a single IN & OUT plus a power strip, so this all sounds a lot better.

I like that last idea a lot.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back