why don't they use speakon jacks for basses?

The use of Speakon cables on bass guitars is totally overkill, to tell you the truth. There is no real benfit to using these here. Speakons are really designed to handle much greater amounts of actual power (and resultant heat generation), as is commonly the case with amp head/speaker cab circuits. The amount of power transfer between a bass and amp is not that much of a concern. Plus, the heavier gauge cable would make the bass just that much more uncomfortable to play after awhile.

XLR outputs, however, are not a bad idea. Some custom manufacturers have made use of these, but mainstream incorporation of this type of connection doesn't exist. It certainly would eliminate the need for a DI in most situations, that's for sure. This is certainly worth discussing more. Maybe other TB'ers have some opinions on this.

As far as the 1/4" connection being "the worst possible connection that is available", I have to disagree. It is quite efficient for the actual situation at hand. If your concern is primarily one of accidental unplugging, you may almost have a point. But, even this can be eliminated with either the use of locking jack systems (like Neutrik), or simply wrapping your cable through the strap when playing (which should be done in all cases, no matter what, IMO).

Sometimes "cool" has to be weighed seriously against "practical".

 

i have seen a few conklins with XLR's, but its just not practical. that is unless you have a XLR to 1/4" cable. otherwise you couldn't plug into your amp.

lowsound

 

IMO having a connection which pulls reasonably easily out of the bass in a pretty good 'safety fuse' in some situations. Better you lose sound for a few seconds than you yank out the plug, jack and a chunk of the bass .

 

+1

or pull your amp head off your cab!



Joe.

 

The only solution is to build some shock-absorption into the system by using one of these :



And you'll get extra points from the retro crew for style

 

i have seen that happen before, wasn't nice to watch.

lowsound

 

I read somewhere that CAT5 (regular ethernet cable) is the future for instrument cables.

 

Get a neutrik socket, conklin uses them.

 

what's already been said- a speakon would be way too big and cumbersome, - some companies, like Conklin, have Neutrik locking jacks...
i use a real old school type locking system, been doing it since i was 15. I run the cable behind and between the rear pin and the strap. I haven't pulled out my cord ever. won't damage the bass if it gets yanked... and it helps to be mindful enough about cable length to prevent pulling your amp off your speaker cab. Of course, I mostly use a Gallien Krueger 1001rbII/Neo212 combo, so pulling the amp means pulling the whole thing! I also wrap my cable around the cabinet handle. So it's not a worry at all.... playing the right notes, however....

 

Those were exactly my thoughts when I started playing (see picture - from 1987), but it wasn't so long before I switched to regular cables because those coiled cords are really treacherous! You think you can stretch them without worrying about it but the wires break inside. That really pissed me off. Plain cables may require being extra careful, but at least you know what to expect from them.

 

Yay, I hope I get a built in WIFI card too...

 

Probably only for instruments like the the variax which send a digital signal. CatV was never designed for transmitting analog signals like the ones that come out of basses.

I do think a digital modeling bass with a WIFI connection would be sweet, or a bass with built in wireless.

 

Ooh. That would be cool.

 

The Speakon is too big and ugly for an instrument. And if you'll rip hard enough, you'll tear the cable instead of pulling out the plug. Or perhaps you'll tear the instrument apart.

Besides, you don't want to be stuck needing a special cable for your bass (one with special connectors, that is).
If you need a locking solution for your plug, get the Neutrik jack.

 

have you thought of getting an L shaped 1/4" cable?

something like this:
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/CPG-100.html

 

If you read that on a Gibson website - don't bother...

 

It's majic!

 

Nady made a bass and a guitar with a built in wireless back in the eighties.

 

My Ibanez ABG has an XLR out works great. I've seen these on Washburns and few others as well.