cable suggestions please
- Thread starter rashayritto
- Start date
jhale667
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
I use Monster 'Jazz' cables (though I don't play Jazz, mind you (or an archtop - they're just supposed to be the 2nd most 'Hi-Fi' one under the 'Studio' line, or was at least) and I love them.:bling:
I did an A/B with a standard cable plugged straight into my amp, and one way to describe the improvement - ever used active pickups, and change out a dying battery? That more lively "HELLO!" kind of difference?
It sounds fuller, and louder.
Re-did my entire signal chain with them, except for my effects loop, which is next on the list...
I use Monster 'Jazz' cables (though I don't play Jazz, mind you (or an archtop - they're just supposed to be the 2nd most 'Hi-Fi' one under the 'Studio' line, or was at least) and I love them.:bling:
I did an A/B with a standard cable plugged straight into my amp, and one way to describe the improvement - ever used active pickups, and change out a dying battery? That more lively "HELLO!" kind of difference?
It sounds fuller, and louder.Re-did my entire signal chain with them, except for my effects loop, which is next on the list...
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: cable suggestions please
Dear god who says that? This is just getting ridiculous. Some of ya'll will believe anything.
Dear god who says that? This is just getting ridiculous. Some of ya'll will believe anything.
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: cable suggestions please
yeah it does sound far fetched, but i think its just the creator's way of simplifying info for the consumer. im sure the actual breaking in isnt a result of sending a signal through the cable, but of regular wear and tear. instead of recommending we swing the cable over our heads and whip it around he says just to play it and eventually the experience will be better. do i know why? nope. but hey even if i dont believe it the cable will eventually rack up 40 hours and then some until it dies years down the road or something
besides, its not like the manufacturer has anything to gain from claiming the cables arent in 100% working order when you get them. really when i first read that i was like "seriously, why couldnt you do that before you shipped it?". anyway, true or not, all will be revealed soon enough. cable should arrive tomorrow-ish. yngwiestein uses the same cables so maybe he can shed some light on this
yeah it does sound far fetched, but i think its just the creator's way of simplifying info for the consumer. im sure the actual breaking in isnt a result of sending a signal through the cable, but of regular wear and tear. instead of recommending we swing the cable over our heads and whip it around he says just to play it and eventually the experience will be better. do i know why? nope. but hey even if i dont believe it the cable will eventually rack up 40 hours and then some until it dies years down the road or something
besides, its not like the manufacturer has anything to gain from claiming the cables arent in 100% working order when you get them. really when i first read that i was like "seriously, why couldnt you do that before you shipped it?". anyway, true or not, all will be revealed soon enough. cable should arrive tomorrow-ish. yngwiestein uses the same cables so maybe he can shed some light on this
XSSIVE
OCDologist
Re: cable suggestions please
i've been pondering a new cable to go from my guitar to my board and just today decided on one. i went with a spectraflex original in bright ass orange python pattern just to be silly and kill all chances of stepping on it or anything, plus i was sick of bland old black cables. we'll see how it does compared to my current cables which are monster (which i no longer actually use), planet waves, dimarzio and pro-co.
-Mike
i've been pondering a new cable to go from my guitar to my board and just today decided on one. i went with a spectraflex original in bright ass orange python pattern just to be silly and kill all chances of stepping on it or anything, plus i was sick of bland old black cables. we'll see how it does compared to my current cables which are monster (which i no longer actually use), planet waves, dimarzio and pro-co.
-Mike
mediumpimpin
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
Do the cables really make that big a diff? I've been using the same 10ft monster cable for about 5 yrs now along with some no-name cheapos for pedals and none of em have failed on me yet. As far as sound quality goes, I'm sure they leave a lot on the table, but how much is anyones guess.
Do the cables really make that big a diff? I've been using the same 10ft monster cable for about 5 yrs now along with some no-name cheapos for pedals and none of em have failed on me yet. As far as sound quality goes, I'm sure they leave a lot on the table, but how much is anyones guess.
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: cable suggestions please
I'm happy enough with my spectraflex cables. I've found over time that some budget cables do round off the highs a bit, and I've had a few break on me over time as well. I'm not really a believer in super-high-end cables, they simply don't make a big enough difference to my ears to justify the price difference. The Fatsoflex cables I use aren't cheap by any standards @ close to 40 bucks for a 15 footer, but they're reliable, coil easily, and they sound great. I can't really ask for anything else.
I'm happy enough with my spectraflex cables. I've found over time that some budget cables do round off the highs a bit, and I've had a few break on me over time as well. I'm not really a believer in super-high-end cables, they simply don't make a big enough difference to my ears to justify the price difference. The Fatsoflex cables I use aren't cheap by any standards @ close to 40 bucks for a 15 footer, but they're reliable, coil easily, and they sound great. I can't really ask for anything else.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: cable suggestions please
z. vex knows what he's talking about. Cork-sniffers will believe some really stupid crap.... cable break in? Wow.
z. vex knows what he's talking about. Cork-sniffers will believe some really stupid crap.... cable break in? Wow.
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: cable suggestions please
(sorry its a long post so i broke it up a little)
aight so the cable arrived today and i got to really work with it a bit and A/B it with my cheap ass cables. the new cable is a Lyric HG made by Evidence. the cheap cables are a Livewire pro and a normal livewire (the one with the blue ends).
i always thought my livewire pro was awesome because my tones were so sweet with detail and cut. and you know what, its still awesome. but when i plugged in the evidence, leaving all amp and guitar settings the same, the difference was pretty big.
the most obvious thing is the volume. the evidence really doesnt even sound like its there. its like Guitar > Amp. dont really know how else to describe it, because its not like a compressed "louder". its like more of the original sound is making it to the amp so while its louder, dynamics are actually INCREASED. this is most evident when playing clean.
for dirty tones i found myself backing off the pre-amp as my older settings were based on a lower signal transfer. i also noticed less fizz and more crunch even at the higher pre settings--basically more articulations. probably due to the fact that all frequency ranges were free of artifacts and unwanted distortion.
lows were big, but for the right reasons (kind of like what a BBE sonic maximizer does but less so). mids are at the forefront, but not artificially aggressive. most impressive to me were the highs. singing but not piercing. very natural and pleasing. this would be the perfect recording cable
so all that into consideration is it a MUST HAVE item? nope. while in many ways its superior to other cables (just ask David Gilmour) the sonic changes lower end cables impart on our signal plays a big part in TONE. so really its a preference thing. so when i want gorgeous beautiful tone many cables will do, but the evidence is like a performance luxury car of cables. i really think its worth giving a shot if youre curious, just ask your dealer if they'll give you like a trial period.
now on to the hotly debated directionality/break in issue. here's what the argument Evidence provides:
directionality- "all cables are directional. drawn copper elicits a grain structure with a chevron shape, clearly visible under a microscope."
break in- "cables sound best after carrying a signal for approx 40 hours. this is due to the dielectric forming. as the conductor's insulation material stores and releases an electric signal, its molecular characteristics stabilize with regard to how it stores and releases the energy applied by the conductor."
so i guess that answers usurper66's science argument. i'm a physics buff so i know that this is true in real world physics, and it a recognized phenomenon. its not hidden boutique made up voodoo. some people are so judgemental, lol
also like krankguitarist said, he notices a rolling off of the highs after use in regular cables. so i imagine a similar phenomenon occurs with evidence cables. users claim that they "open up" with use.
anyway thats my take on the new cable. i doubt the notes at the bottom will quell any arguments but hey thats what makes forums fun anyway
(sorry its a long post so i broke it up a little)
aight so the cable arrived today and i got to really work with it a bit and A/B it with my cheap ass cables. the new cable is a Lyric HG made by Evidence. the cheap cables are a Livewire pro and a normal livewire (the one with the blue ends).
i always thought my livewire pro was awesome because my tones were so sweet with detail and cut. and you know what, its still awesome. but when i plugged in the evidence, leaving all amp and guitar settings the same, the difference was pretty big.
the most obvious thing is the volume. the evidence really doesnt even sound like its there. its like Guitar > Amp. dont really know how else to describe it, because its not like a compressed "louder". its like more of the original sound is making it to the amp so while its louder, dynamics are actually INCREASED. this is most evident when playing clean.
for dirty tones i found myself backing off the pre-amp as my older settings were based on a lower signal transfer. i also noticed less fizz and more crunch even at the higher pre settings--basically more articulations. probably due to the fact that all frequency ranges were free of artifacts and unwanted distortion.
lows were big, but for the right reasons (kind of like what a BBE sonic maximizer does but less so). mids are at the forefront, but not artificially aggressive. most impressive to me were the highs. singing but not piercing. very natural and pleasing. this would be the perfect recording cable
so all that into consideration is it a MUST HAVE item? nope. while in many ways its superior to other cables (just ask David Gilmour) the sonic changes lower end cables impart on our signal plays a big part in TONE. so really its a preference thing. so when i want gorgeous beautiful tone many cables will do, but the evidence is like a performance luxury car of cables. i really think its worth giving a shot if youre curious, just ask your dealer if they'll give you like a trial period.
now on to the hotly debated directionality/break in issue. here's what the argument Evidence provides:
directionality- "all cables are directional. drawn copper elicits a grain structure with a chevron shape, clearly visible under a microscope."
break in- "cables sound best after carrying a signal for approx 40 hours. this is due to the dielectric forming. as the conductor's insulation material stores and releases an electric signal, its molecular characteristics stabilize with regard to how it stores and releases the energy applied by the conductor."
so i guess that answers usurper66's science argument. i'm a physics buff so i know that this is true in real world physics, and it a recognized phenomenon. its not hidden boutique made up voodoo. some people are so judgemental, lol
also like krankguitarist said, he notices a rolling off of the highs after use in regular cables. so i imagine a similar phenomenon occurs with evidence cables. users claim that they "open up" with use.
anyway thats my take on the new cable. i doubt the notes at the bottom will quell any arguments but hey thats what makes forums fun anyway
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: cable suggestions please
i really like them. get the thicker gauge one in my opinion. they sound super clear and a little on the thin side, but its a good kind of thin
Anyone use George L's solderless cables? So far I've only used them for my channel-switching pedals, but getting them any length you want is cool...forgot to mention that...
i really like them. get the thicker gauge one in my opinion. they sound super clear and a little on the thin side, but its a good kind of thin
LtKojak
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
I must say that both arguments are the wildest B.S. I've ever heard.
On your rant about the new cable, it all comes to this: the PLACEBO EFFECT.
You honor, I rest my case.
I must say that both arguments are the wildest B.S. I've ever heard.
On your rant about the new cable, it all comes to this: the PLACEBO EFFECT.
You honor, I rest my case.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: cable suggestions please
I prefer the Fender California cables (the ones that are clear plastic coated). However, Guitar Player had a cable "showdown" recently, and the Vox cables scored pretty good too.
I've had one Fender California cable for like 4 years, that was used from a friend (as a gift) who had it for a long time. Since then I only needed one repair (I accidentally broke the end so a friend of mine soldered on a right angle end). Still works great.
I prefer the Fender California cables (the ones that are clear plastic coated). However, Guitar Player had a cable "showdown" recently, and the Vox cables scored pretty good too.
I've had one Fender California cable for like 4 years, that was used from a friend (as a gift) who had it for a long time. Since then I only needed one repair (I accidentally broke the end so a friend of mine soldered on a right angle end). Still works great.
andrizzle
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
I'd be wary of the Monster-train
one of my favorite things I've read about in a while was this about Monster cables being no difference in sound than coat hangers to audiophiles
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/
this might apply to all cables but I've only seen it applied to Monster cables
don't get sucked into the Monster lie
I'd be wary of the Monster-train
one of my favorite things I've read about in a while was this about Monster cables being no difference in sound than coat hangers to audiophiles
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/
this might apply to all cables but I've only seen it applied to Monster cables
don't get sucked into the Monster lie
LtKojak
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
People, wanna know the truth about cables? Read and learn.
http://www.laventure.net/tourist/cables.htm
If you wanna spend $ 129,95 in a 18' Fender guitar cable, be my guest.
Just don't B.S. me repeating all that marketing hype, someting you don't have the faintest idea what they mean or even what they talk about.
I rest my case, your Honor.
PS: don't get me started in the Alessandro $ 50,00 pots and caps...
People, wanna know the truth about cables? Read and learn.
http://www.laventure.net/tourist/cables.htm
If you wanna spend $ 129,95 in a 18' Fender guitar cable, be my guest.
Just don't B.S. me repeating all that marketing hype, someting you don't have the faintest idea what they mean or even what they talk about.
I rest my case, your Honor.
PS: don't get me started in the Alessandro $ 50,00 pots and caps...
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: cable suggestions please
Gah!! Not what I said at all!
I said that with some budget cables, I notice a bit of a high frequency roll off. Not over time, not as time goes on, it's just THERE. Like, static. Unchanging. Unless the solder joints at the plug fail, or it gets cut in half, in which case there's a complete roll off of all frequencies (I R Smart and good at interwebz). And eventually some break. Like, BREAK. Window shattering. Hammer to CPU. Throwing your guitar off a two story roof onto the cement below. Break.
Anywho...glad you enjoy your new cable mate...good cables DO make a difference
.
Gah!! Not what I said at all!
I said that with some budget cables, I notice a bit of a high frequency roll off. Not over time, not as time goes on, it's just THERE. Like, static. Unchanging. Unless the solder joints at the plug fail, or it gets cut in half, in which case there's a complete roll off of all frequencies (I R Smart and good at interwebz). And eventually some break. Like, BREAK. Window shattering. Hammer to CPU. Throwing your guitar off a two story roof onto the cement below. Break.
Anywho...glad you enjoy your new cable mate...good cables DO make a difference
.
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FAC
New member
Re: cable suggestions please
I had hoped the SD forum would be immune to this debate (it gets tiring over at TGP). I have done my own (almost) double blind tests. There is an audible difference between some cables--it is not the placebo effect, as suggested in a previous post. Like the original poster, I like the Evidence Cables...I can hear a difference between Evidence, George L, Mogami/Neutrik, and Monster in my setup.
I was not able to hear a difference after the 40 hour "break-in" period, so I won't go there...regardless, I still prefer the Evidence to my other cables, "broken-in" or not.
If the audible difference does not matter to someone: great. If someone want to say it doesn't matter on stage with all the other noise going on, or argue that the audience can't tell: fine. If someone want to complain that we should shut up and play and that cables don't matter: that's their opinion (this is a gear forum, where we discuss gear). All of these arguments have been used in previous cable debates.
But, there is an audible difference, and it matters to me for my setup. If I feel good about my setup, I play better, which the audience can hear, so it matters to me (I borrowed that last bit from a well-known person on this forum, but I happen to agree with it, so I paraphrased it here).
I had hoped the SD forum would be immune to this debate (it gets tiring over at TGP). I have done my own (almost) double blind tests. There is an audible difference between some cables--it is not the placebo effect, as suggested in a previous post. Like the original poster, I like the Evidence Cables...I can hear a difference between Evidence, George L, Mogami/Neutrik, and Monster in my setup.
I was not able to hear a difference after the 40 hour "break-in" period, so I won't go there...regardless, I still prefer the Evidence to my other cables, "broken-in" or not.
If the audible difference does not matter to someone: great. If someone want to say it doesn't matter on stage with all the other noise going on, or argue that the audience can't tell: fine. If someone want to complain that we should shut up and play and that cables don't matter: that's their opinion (this is a gear forum, where we discuss gear). All of these arguments have been used in previous cable debates.
But, there is an audible difference, and it matters to me for my setup. If I feel good about my setup, I play better, which the audience can hear, so it matters to me (I borrowed that last bit from a well-known person on this forum, but I happen to agree with it, so I paraphrased it here).
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: cable suggestions please
I don't think the issue is whether there is a difference or not. Different materials = different operation. The issue is the whole "better" thing.
I just googled Evidence cables.... $155 for a 20' cable? Are you guys serious?
I don't think the issue is whether there is a difference or not. Different materials = different operation. The issue is the whole "better" thing.
I just googled Evidence cables.... $155 for a 20' cable? Are you guys serious?
