Best guitar cable for Rickenbcker 12

[kvalois]

Hi, all:

Well, this time I would like to ask your help in terms of a guitar cable. My Roger McGuinn 370-12 has been playing "noisy" lately. In fact, for years, when I use the guitar's built-in compressor (instead of the Janglebox), I pick up RADIO stations!!! When this first happened about 8 years ago, I e-mailed Roger himself and he had no "fix" for it!!!

Anyway, tonight, I brought my Rick to my local luthier for a "tune up"-- new strings, check intonation, etc. He told me that if I bought a higher-end guitar cable, like a Monster, that there would be less noise. It might also stop the radio stations from playing when I use the built-in compressor!!!

Then, when I called Guitar Center ( I know, many of you are asking "why"), I spoke with a gentleman who was pretty knowledgeable about guitar cables. He recommended the one he uses-- a MOGAMI platinum, for $100!!!!!

So--would anyone like to give some recommendations??

Thank you!!!!

Karl

[JakeK]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=408629

[kvalois]

Thanks, Jake!!1 I didn't know that this thread existed!!!

[aceonbass]

One thing about Monster cables, besides being WAY over rated, is that the plug on these is a few thousandths over size to make them fit tighter in the jack to supposedly make for better conductivity ( even though the ground is never the problem with a plug), which will eventually wear your jack oversize slightly. This can eventually make for a loser fit and grounding issues if you use another chord with a more standardized size plug. Also, Monster likes to tout their gold plated tips, which is another load of BS, because in order to keep the gold plating from wearing off right away, they have a clear coat sprayed on them, which I'm pretty sure doesn't conduct electricity as much as a standard nickel plated plug.

[jps]

Also, Monster likes to tout their gold plated tips, which is another load of BS, because in order to keep the gold plating from wearing off right away, they have a clear coat sprayed on them, which I'm pretty sure doesn't conduct electricity as much as a standard nickel plated plug.

Another related issue is the contact between dissimilar metals.

[jimk]

I agree with another poster on the above mentioned thread: it's all snake oil. I use inexpensive cables, and I do fine with them.
JimK

[aceonbass]

Some cables can be very microphonic, so there is a difference in the quality of the cable itself. I use only Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors, and Canare or Mogami cable when I've built cables.

[teb]

As far as I can tell, as long as it's built with decent components, the best cable is one that's long enough to reach your amp and that's about it.

[kvalois]

Thanks, everyone!!!

[rkbsound]

For me a cable has to be built well. That's it. I burned through enough cheap cables, that sound no different than my expensive ones, to learn that quality of construction is what is most important if you want it to perform well. If you don't care if it lasts, then it makes no difference. Just because you can measure differences, doesn't mean you can hear them. For recording purposes, everything might be different, of course.

[wmthor]

I use Bayou Cables.

http://bayoucables.com/product_info.php ... ucts_id/56

[kvalois]

Hi, everyone:

Just a little follow-up to my dilemma! I haven't had a chance to run to Guitar Center to try out different guitar cables to ELIMINATE the radio stations being picked up on my RM 370-12. It's funny,but the more I have tried to check into the REAL difference more expensive guitar cables make-- the more I find that the jury is divided!!! Even the experts can't agree.

But, today, I called Rickenbacker and they were very friendly!! They also were equally stupefied by my problem and had no real answers. They suggested that I try a Monster cable. When I asked if they could recommend an "authorized Rickenbacker repair" expert here in Connecticut, they said that they couldn't. BUT, they suggested that I contact the "Rick Resource" forum!!!!!! Maybe, someone could recommend an expert who could fix the problem!!!!

So, are there any members here who could recommend someone???

Thanks

[aceonbass]

Karl, did you get radio stations on your guitar when you went to Guitar Center? I wonder if shielding the control cavity will help. By the way, read my previous comment about Monster Cables. Besides that, they're way over rated and over priced. If you're not able to make your own cables, try Butch at Bayou Cables.

[kvalois]

Thanks, everyone!!!

For those members who suggested BAYOU cables-- could you tell me why? I went to the web site, and I would like to know more about the "first" and "second" connectors. Is "gold-plated" better and why? What other tips can you give me???

Thank you

[aceonbass]

I make my own cables now, but before that I used Butch at BC because he made cables in the colors and lengths I needed, and his prices were right. Gold plated cables are truly snake oil. Even though gold does conduct electricity better, in order to keep it from quickly wearing off of a plug, the manufacturer applies a clearcoat over it. This pretty much negates any advantages the gold would have had. I like good old fashioned nickel plated Switchcraft and Neutrik connectors. Oh, and by 1st and 2nd connector....on the ordering page, this is giving you a choice of what connectors you want to use on your cable. Also known as one end, then the other!