Good cables/bad cables

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:08 pm

I know this is pretty rudimentary for most, but it's a good reminder, & maybe illustrates a point some haven't given any thought to.

I was just practicing some songs for an upcoming 'reunion' sort of gig, when my cable started shorting & buzzing when it got pulled & wiggled.

It seemed mainly in the jack of my bass, but I checked the cable first, since that's easiest.
Tried flexing the cord itself, but when the plug was wiggled, there was the problem.

So, for 40 minutes in & out of the bass went the jack 3 times, it got cleaned, tightened, repositioned, more washers, less washers, but no good.

So, it HAS to be the cable!
Yep, tried one of my Planet Waves cables, & it's fine. A good solid fit.
It's the cheap, made in 'wherever' plugs that let you down.

Moral of the story, and I've said it before, but don't spend $1500 or more on an instrument and 2 or 3 thousand on an amp, then play through a $15 cable!

It's the cord I use only at home to save wear & tear on my good ones, but a lesson nevertheless.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:06 pm

Even when they work, cheap cables will rob your sound of high end, due to excessive capacitance (which acts like a low pass filter).

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:19 pm

I have one of those Terra Labs cables that has the direction arrow on it. To be frank, it's not all that and a bag of chips.... A hundred bucks! Long Ly (old La Bass Exchange) saw me coming!

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 2:14 am

I had what I thought were some quality cables until I bought some from this manufacturer.

gray · Post by **gray** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:51 am

I use Mogami. I used to use Monster cables, but mine suddenly died on me after 6 months, so into the round file it went. I'm happy with the Mogami.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:38 am

+1 on Mogami. They are built exceptionally well and have a strong potential to REALLY last a lifetime. But if they don't, the guarantee still applies.

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:07 am

I use wireless. A really good quality two-channel to run stereo can be had for $700. Replace 7 cables at $100 each and you've broken even

And, no tripping over wires anymore...

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:12 am

Elys, what one have you found that you like?

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:23 am

Robert, Monster Cables have a lifetime warranty as well. You should check in with them before retiring your cables to the dustbin.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:02 am

I like the Samson Airline "poissonally".....

qwezirider · Post by **qwezirider** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:18 am

I used a Nady 101 for 20 years that finally died this summer. Not a bad spent $100. Got a Samson Stage 5 to replace it (same price) and looking forward to another 20 years of well spent cash.

Been just as lucky with cheap cables over the years. Proper winding kept them lasting a long time. And when one goes south, build a new one.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:37 am

What I like about Bayou Audio Cables, is that you can order either Canare (my choice) or Mogami cable in a custom length with your choice of connectors. Furthermore, his prices are very competitive with the other manufacturers and/or retailers.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:56 am

Bruce wrote:
"Been just as lucky with cheap cables over the years. Proper winding kept them lasting a long time. And when one goes south, build a new one."

A side by side comparison between your cheap cable and a quality one will show you just how much of your sound and tone is missing. The same will hold true for inexpensive wireless units and quality ones.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:45 am

I noticed that fact easily as well.
I was very surprised, it's not a subtle difference at all: VERY obvious which cable sounds better.

Compare the two & the highs are muted, noise pickup is greater, not to mention the improperly sized plug that wobbles in the jack.

The cheap cable works all right for normal jacks, but the RIC jacks are a little finicky about what gets plugged into them.

For example, the replacement jack in my 4001 is a regular mono jack, not the fancy one that RIC uses with the switching feature (that shuts off the ROS jack when a mono plug is inserted).
My 4000 is also fine with the cheapy.

Why I never noticed this before is that I don't usually practice at home with my 4080, since it's too hard on my shoulder to play sitting down for any length of time, & when I play out I always use the good cables.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:51 am

I use Planet Waves cables. Had mono and stereo ones for close to 4 years now. Never had a problem with them. With the spring tension, gold plated jack plugs, the tone is great. Very reasonable in price too.... YMMV!