Your favorite instrument cables and why...

[capnsandwich]

Just like the title says, what's your favorite cables and why do you like them so much? I was using Planet Waves with the little kill switch on it but I've had some of them die on me in the last year. I'm currently using an Elixer cable that's a good quality cable but is kind of stiff. So, I'm posting this thread to ask what others use for some insight on what's good these days. Thank you for your input.

 

[James Hart]

I get all mine from Pro Cables & Sound... specifically Canare Star Quad cables with G&H ends (Quiet plug at instrument end)

 

[kalle74]

I make my own. Canare, Eurocable or Cordial cable stock with Neutrik plugs (active basses, so cannot use the silent plugs). Heat-shrinks on all critical connections, and my name on a label under clear heat-shrink near the amp and of the cable. Custom lengths and colors if I feel like it.

My pedalboard is quite cramped, so I use the EBS flat cables. The connectors are extremely slim.

 

[s0c9]

Don't use 'em.. I'm all wireless... but when I do.. it's been standard GC live-wires lately!
They've really stepped up their quality over the old Hosa junk they used to sell..

 

[kjones]

I don't know if you know, but our mutual friend ExaltBass makes his own reasonably priced high quality cables, and I'm sure he'd be able to help you out.

To answer your question, I use Rattlesnake cables. To me, capacitance is the most important thing. I have very nice tone controls on my amp and my bass, and I don't need the cable coloring my sound. Rattlesnake also has a very durable exterior to resist the inevitable stepping on and being run over. I'm very pleased with them and indeed have bought them for others in my band as presents.

 

[RustyAxe]

I like cables that reach from my bass to my amp. Seriously, any Belden, Mogami, Canare cable with Neutrik connectors is just fine. I like to cobble my own.

 

[40Hz]

I do my own. I get the exact cable, lengths, and connectors I want. If you've got the parts and tools handy, and you're good using a soldering iron, it takes all of five or six minutes to do up a high quality cable.

 

[JRA]

I do my own. I get the exact cable, lengths, and connectors I want. If you've got the parts and tools handy, and you're good using a soldering iron, it takes all of five or six minutes to do up a high quality cable.

^ !

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Mogami wire with Neutrik connectors
buy one for $60 or make your own for $15

 

[Joe Nerve]

I used to go through cables monthly cuz I was too cheap to buy a good one. Then someone gave me a Monster cable. It broke after 10 years. I bought another (didn't have it in me to try and get a free replacement), and I'm goin on about 4 years now.

 

[fretter]

I have a long Fender Vintage Voltage tweed cable and a short Fender California Cables one. Both have served me well. The Vintage Voltage has been discontinued but there's still some NOS floating around. I believe it's been replaced by the Custom Shop line of cables. The California Cable is getting some mixed reviews. Maybe they've changed how they make it since I got mine.

 

[ahc]

Good info here from TB'er bongomania:

Instrument cables rated and compared. A buyers' guide!

 

[jthisdell]

I like the CBI braided cables. Good quality cable at a very reasonable price.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

For a while, I was obsessed by cables. All monster, all the time.
Then I realized that they were no better than $15 cables from GC.
Now, I just get basic cloth-covered proco cables from sweetwater for $20 and am happy.

 

[40Hz]

I used to go through cables monthly cuz I was too cheap to buy a good one. Then someone gave me a Monster cable. It broke after 10 years. I bought another (didn't have it in me to try and get a free replacement), and I'm goin on about 4 years now.

Monster could make the best cable in the world (and I don't concede they do btw) but I still wouldn't buy anything from them. I have ethical issues with the company's advertising claims and some of their past business practices.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Good info here from TB'er bongomania:

Instrument cables rated and compared. A buyers' guide!

Isn't that over 5 years old?

 

[Element Zero]

I've got 2 Monster Bass 12ft cables that I've had for 14 years and a Mogami Pro Studio 18ft cable that has a Neutrik silent kill thing that kills the signal when unplugging. No idea where or how long I've had it. It came from GC but I didn't buy it and have had it for probably 7 years. Haven't had to replace a cable in my 23 years of playing.

 

[ahc]

Isn't that over 5 years old?

Zombie shmombie. If it was a good cable then, it'd still be good now. Plus that post has been contributed to through the years.

 

[Michael Schreiber]

I dig the Cordial CRI (Road line), 9 meters:
Cordial CRI 9 PP

Sturdy, reliable, also in terms of the connector and soldering - and the mantle is very flexible, so no curls to trip over.
I started with Mogami Gold, also very reliable, but they're not as flexible and do tend to make curls.

 

[primusfan1989]

I do my own. I get the exact cable, lengths, and connectors I want. If you've got the parts and tools handy, and you're good using a soldering iron, it takes all of five or six minutes to do up a high quality cable.

Mogami wire with Neutrik connectors
buy one for $60 or make your own for $15

If you're handy with a soldering iron just make your own, way cheaper. I get all my supplies from parts express, for the cost of One mogami cable, I made three using the same mogami wire.