What instrument cables do you use?

[kuys]

We are a rapco dealer so I just use bulk cable and make my own. I think I can make a 15-20 footer with neutrik or switchcraft ends for about $7-8.

 

[iualum]

I seriously have a friend that only buys (I forget the brand) cables that are over $150 each. I think it is silly. If all of the wires in the whole signal chain are up to the same specs I would say it make sense. From the pickup wires, pots, jack, cable, pedals (if applicable), jack, to all internal wiring related to sound in the amp, to di, to speakers. It seems you're only as good as your weakest link in the signal chain. Is the wire in a cheap instrument cable really that much worse than everything else in the chain?

I'm open for an electrician or electrical engineer to correct me though. I also don't buy that just because there is a slight change in tone that it is because the cable enhanced anything. The signal path is simply different. Like removing an unused pedal versus bypassing.

If he bought $300 cables they'd be twice as good.

 

[monkeyfinger]

bongomania did a nice comparison/review a while back. data is not current, but the concepts are still relevant. It's a good read.

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/cablechoice.shtml

 

[MrBEAR]

A pair of fifteen year old George L cables that are a lot shorter than when I made them.
A pair of Spectraflex cables that are over 20 years old and going strong.
A pair of Evidence Audio cables.

Configuration for all are straight/right angle and the plugs are George L's, Switchcraft and Neutrik.

All of the above now ride along as spares though as they are all 20 feet in length and I no longer need 20 ft. from the bass to the tuner and another 20 ft. from the tuner to the amp input.

These days I sit on a Pearl Roadrunner drum throne, old age, bad back, heavy bass etc.

Picked up a pair of the new Orange cables, 10 foot straight/right angle with their armour coating and Neutrik connectors. The Brubaker still sounds like a Brubaker and I still sound like me so it's all good. Incredibly flexible, I mean Really Incredibly flexible yet they are built for combat zones. Lifetime guarantee if that is important to you.

Oh and I received a Chord Cream Cable from my audiophile sales buddy as a Birthday present. I take that to studio gigs and use it when the Engineer snob-types profess to hear something weird in my signal chain. They are pretty, well built, boutique and pricey but.. they sound no better nor worse than any of above mentioned cables.

 

[Bassman7PM]

I've been using Mogami Platimun for the past few years and can't imagine using anything else. After a few years of working great it finally started dying on me, I took it to GC and they replaced it no questions asked. Gotta love that Lifetime Warranty.

 

[edpal]

I wouldn't have bought the Monster Cable even if it was cheap because I always had a prejudice against cables with the molded plastic ends that didn't have the screw apart metal ends, my dad always taught me that if you are buying somthing and they make a part that's metal and a part that's plastic you buy the metal one. And because the metal ones you can take apart, cut the short out and resolder if you have too.

I do a lot of repair and think like your Dad but in one instance I do differently. Most cables with a rubbery looking end have metal underneath, but the rubber takes strain off the actual solder joints. So I only buy cables that have [preferably] molded or shrinkfit rubber over the ends. They get a short - I throw them away or use to bundle branches or or such trash that is going to the curb. Guitar cables live a hard life compared to other types of cables and the screw-apart ends generally don't' have any real strain relief so I don't risk them for playing out or in. Just me.

I don't like a cloth covered cable - too slippery to be any use to those of us who loop our cable over our strap before jacking into the instrument...to provide a little strain relief to the instrument jack and prevent pulling out when unintended.

I think Monsters are very overpriced, Planet Waves are good, Fender(non-cloth) are good but slightly over-priced around here.

 

[CnB77]

With good reason. "Monster" bass cables (besides being WAY over-priced) affect frequency response and have slightly over-sized 1/4" connectors that over-stress input jacks. Store markup last I knew was between 800 and 1200% depending on the cable.

I had a friend's Monster cable absolutely destroy on of my Ibanezes' jacks over the course of a weekend. Doesn't hold cables firmly anymore and hardly makes contact when you hold it in place

 

[Bassmann1968]

I use only cables with Neutrik plugs.
I make the cables myself and use Cordial cable CGK175. Very low pF, big diameter but still flexible.

 

[ErnieD]

Though I've bought and left behind many other brands of inst cables. I've left one Monster, a Vox coil, Fender, Planet Waves-with/without the switch, Peavey cloth and countless speaker cables on stages all over Houston Metro area.

My 18' Bayou Cable is light blue in color. The others mostly had black casings. Dark stages suck em up. I roll em up after a gig, set em on stage floor and forget to place them in my gigbag. Sheesh.

Just got a couple 15' Planet Waves with the switch recently due to a couple Markbass/Ashdown amps with no mute button. I'm better at remembering to pack my cables first, then rest of gear now. But I'd be heartbroke if I ever left my Bayou cable behind. I've seen a couple cats leave their axes behind; don't think I'd ever do that.

 

[bobogortis]

Only big diameter neutrik cables

 

[FretNoMore]

...
I've seen a couple cats leave their axes behind;
...

That's when you know the night's pay doesn't even cover the bar tab. Don't drink and play.

 

[Stevorebob]

Planet Waves Custom hits the price-value mark for me. Great quality, lifetime warranty, easy exchange at local retailers (never had to).

 

[Jeffrey Avrin]

Bayou Audio Cables (bayoucables.com)
Is the best for my money. I've been buying made to order cables (and power cords) from there for over 10 years and not one has failed yet despite constant use. Great prices and excellent customer service.

 

[spiritbass]

Home brew with Canare cable + Switchcraft connectors.

 

[newmusicmichael]

bongomania did a nice comparison/review a while back. data is not current, but the concepts are still relevant. It's a good read.

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/cablechoice.shtml

Ooohhh that's an awesome link. I was actually thinking about switching over to PW, but that table makes me rethink entirely.

 

[UWBass]

I solder my cables on my own with Neutrik silence plugs. No noises at changing the basses in between. In all cases I bought good very long cables, cut them in the middle and soldered this silent plugs on. Simply works good.

 

[bludog]

I used to work for Planet Waves, specifically in product development on their cable lines. Now 5+ yrs in the rear view mirror, but I still stand by their products. Some of the best low capacitance cables on the market, certainly within that price point. The American Stage is a particularly great product.

I know it seems like I'm biased and maybe I am slightly, but I have some worthwhile experience with cable and connectors and have seen it from inside the industry - there is A LOT of BS out there in regards to cable. PW/D'Addario always stays away from marketing hype and just makes a good solid product. I personally think they've had one or two mis-steps in the past (strain relief design and the compression springs on the sleeve of the connector come to mind), but those years are long gone and now they are all good. Especially the American Stage's, really great cables.