So what cable do you use?

[SplinteredSkull]

Well there seems to have been a long debate on whether the increasing price of a cable makes a difference in sound quality. Most people on TB would say mostly no and that as long as you don't get dirt cheap, just bad quality cables you're fine. So where does the cruddy quality price end and the indifference in good noise begin? What cable do you use/recommend to other bassists to save them money without getting bad product or spending a fortune?

 

[Phalex]

Price is dependent on length. I usually go for a cable that runs $1.00 - $1.50 a foot.

 

[IanA]

I have 2 Lava cables at the moment, a Clear Connect and a Soar (the Soar is a little darker sounding than the Clear connect) nicely put together and way superior to cheaper cables I used to buy (wider perceived low end, clearer mids and treble)
The Clear Connect is my favourite at the moment.

 

[gregmon79]

I use George L's for patches and then cheaper ones from GC. There doesn't seem to be any issue with the cheap ones. But I still plan on switching my instrument cables to lavas eventually.

 

[Ric5]

The more you pay for a cable the sooner it will fail.

 

[fisticuffs]

I'm usually more concerned about reliability than sound. Cable sound is negligible in a PA. A little more important in your bass rig but really anything other than the bottom of the barrel is going to work for you. That said I'm all Lava in my bass rig with a Vintage coiled from the board to my bass. I like the way they hang better.

 

[seamonkey]

Hosa cables. The cheap ones. Lifetime no haggle warranty.

I skip "Serviceable cables", not much worth the effort. They seem to fail more than molded end cables.

 

[boomboom4200]

Mid priced.anything with a replacement warranty.
Been playing for a while and as long as they "hang" right and come with a no haggle replacement warranty im happy.as far as sound difference, if Anyone in the audience can tell the difference in cables they're a better man than me
I mean REALLY!!??

 

[will33]

I make my own, usually out of ones other people are throwing away because they are "wearing out". When I'm done with them the sound is great and the cost is either totally free, or the cost of a good connector or 2.

I am my own warranty program.


As far as suggestions what to buy, I don't know as far as brands. Just make sure they have good solid plugs on them and not the cheap, lightweight soft sort of metal. And unscrew the ends and have a look. Some really cheap stuff will use very thin wire and then wrap it in really thick insulation so it feels sturdy in your hands.

I always think if the plugs are the kind you can't take apart, they must be hiding something they cheaped out on in there. Plus they're a PITA to fix if anything should happen.

 

[wcoffey81]

i use an orange DiMarzio 18' cable. simple, cheap and a good warranty. what's not to like.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Line 6 G50, Mogami Gold patch cables.

 

[audioglenn]

Lately, I've been using Gotham GAC-1 of Canare GS 6.

 

[Wookieonbass]

I own a Monster and a couple of Planet Waves and those I use mostly. I do have a bunch of extra cords lying around for patching, practice and back up including an old Whirlwind and some old curly cord I got from somebody.

 

[Spiffmeister]

Not a clue. I picked up two orange cables when in Indonesia for like 4euros or so. They look and feel reliable and help me keep the tone I want, where as some european 30euro cables are vampirical for my tone.
My patch cables, however, are 20 times the cost of my instrument cables, but for the same reason: reliability and tone!

 

[Dave W]

I make my own from Canare GS-6 and GS-4 with Neutrik ends.

 

[b_carville]

I've had good luck with Guitar Fetish GFS cables. The cheap ones.
I used to like Audio Technica Lifesavers but I can't find them anymore.

 

[Technotitclan]

Active bass... anything that doesn't have a break or a short.

Passive Bass... $15 up. I have a $6 Media Play (remember that place?) cable I've repaired a so many times I stopped soldering the plugs, a $35 monster cable thats been replaced once and a $100 elixir cable. Is there a difference? Yes. Do my band mates hear it or the audience? No. I can hear the difference between the monster and the Elixir in my headphones when plugged into my head. In mix with the rest of the band...no. Honestly only reason I have the Elixir is because it was a gift. Its a very nice cable and I use it a lot but I don't think its worth $100. I would have happily paid $50 for it.

 

[ddhm]

There is a sticky about instrument cables here that really tells the tale.

I make them outta some Mogami and Amphenol.

 

[mtb777]

I buy used Monster cables on eBay for real cheap and if they go, they go! Free replacement for pennies on the dollar. I have spares of everything but really, I have replaced 3 that the jack ends got bent.

I AM looking for custom pedal board cables. I can put the together no problem. So far I've seen LAVA and George L's recommended. Any others out there to consider?

 

[electracoyote]

El-cheapo cloth cover generics from Guitar Centrifuge.

I crank my rig, and I can't hear the difference. Sounds fine to me and my mates.