cables...always floor me

[JeffB]

So earlier this past week my guitar cable right angle plug broke when I stepped on the cable and was walking the opposite direction. A higher priced big name cable. Which I think are not terribly durable...my 3rd in 5 years.. but they do sound good. Clear, but the highs are warm and the tone seems balanced.


I immediately pulled out my backup cable. A mid priced cable that I love for durability, and flexibility and it's essentially new. But my tone which I have been absolutely enamored with due to new amp and cab, went to crap instantly. Harsher highs, darkness/mud, and loss of low end. I beefed up the bass control. Every time I plugged in, I shut down within a couple minutes. ick. Complete opposite of how I had felt previously.

So I ran over to GC after work and picked up another big name expensive cable that generally gets high praise in all areas. It is an improvement on my backup, but it's way too clear....it's bright...and clear. Tons of high end. Like I put a much higher k volume pot in and/or ran the pickups straight to the jack.. The highs are not warm at all now. Not musical. Ear piercing clarity. Thin. And no improvement in lows. Still need the inflated bass control setting on the amp. Tweak settings for an hour. Yuk.

Back it goes. My favored cables may be undurable, but essentially I have built my rig around the signal they pass through.I'm always amazed at how certain small things can make such a big difference.

 

[LLL]

Re: cables...always floor me

So earlier this past week my guitar cable right angle plug broke when I stepped on the cable and was walking the opposite direction. A higher priced big name cable. Which I think are not terribly durable...my 3rd in 5 years.. but they do sound good. Clear, but the highs are warm and the tone seems balanced.


I immediately pulled out my backup cable. A mid priced cable that I love for durability, and flexibility and it's essentially new. But my tone which I have been absolutely enamored with due to new amp and cab, went to crap instantly. Harsher highs, darkness/mud, and loss of low end. I beefed up the bass control. Every time I plugged in, I shut down within a couple minutes. ick. Complete opposite of how I had felt previously.

So I ran over to GC after work and picked up another big name expensive cable that generally gets high praise in all areas. It is an improvement on my backup, but it's way too clear....it's bright...and clear. Tons of high end. Like I put a much higher k volume pot in and ran the pickups straight to the jack.. The highs are not warm at all now. Not musical. Ear piercing clarity. Thin. And no improvement in lows. Still need the inflated bass control setting on the amp. Tweak settings for an hour. Yuk.

Back it goes. My favored cables may be undurable, but essentially I have built my rig around the signal they pass through.I'm always amazed at how certain small things can make such a big difference.

Yep it's true; every little piece of gear makes a difference. Even cables. I usually use the El Cheap-o twenty-footers because they roll off some of the top end and seem to take a beating well, but George L's between stomps.

 

[uOpt]

Re: cables...always floor me

So earlier this past week my guitar cable right angle plug broke when I stepped on the cable and was walking the opposite direction. A higher priced big name cable. Which I think are not terribly durable...my 3rd in 5 years.. but they do sound good. Clear, but the highs are warm and the tone seems balanced.


I immediately pulled out my backup cable. A mid priced cable that I love for durability, and flexibility and it's essentially new. But my tone which I have been absolutely enamored with due to new amp and cab, went to crap instantly. Harsher highs, darkness/mud, and loss of low end. I beefed up the bass control. Every time I plugged in, I shut down within a couple minutes. ick. Complete opposite of how I had felt previously.

So I ran over to GC after work and picked up another big name expensive cable that generally gets high praise in all areas. It is an improvement on my backup, but it's way too clear....it's bright...and clear. Tons of high end. Like I put a much higher k volume pot in and ran the pickups straight to the jack.. The highs are not warm at all now. Not musical. Ear piercing clarity. Thin. And no improvement in lows. Still need the inflated bass control setting on the amp. Tweak settings for an hour. Yuk.

Back it goes. My favored cables may be undurable, but essentially I have built my rig around the signal they pass through.I'm always amazed at how certain small things can make such a big difference.

You should invest $50 in a multimeter that can measure capacitance. I bet all the above can be traced back to having just the right capacitance in the cable.

Does the undurable cable have any markings on the actual material?

 

[JeffB]

Re: cables...always floor me

Not sure on markings, other than brand name I'd have to take a look.

And yep, I am sure it's a capacitance issue. I should check them all and see.

Got a new old high price cable, returned the other high price one and all is right again with the world.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: cables...always floor me

My favourite high-capacitance "dark" sounding cables are Divine Noise. You should check 'em out! They are also indestructible.

 

[the toad]

Re: cables...always floor me

Unscrew the collars on the plugs and inspect the solder joints often, you will notice they begin to fray and lose signal quality long before they actually fully break loose and stop working...

+1 on the multimeter and i raise you a soldering iron...

When you notice the wires beginning to fray at the solder joint, un-solder the joint, strip back the cable till it's nice and fresh again and resolder the connection and it'll be brand new again...

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: cables...always floor me

I like the way the braided MusiciansGear 18.5 foot ones from GC roll off highs

I have some GeorgeL's and Monster cables

I like the GeorgeL's
they are a bit brighter

but the MusiciansGear is very durable and if you catch them on sale
they are REAL inexpensive

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: cables...always floor me

I'm thinking the first cable was a Monster and the second a Mogami?

Regardless...If you like that first cable, why not solder on a new end?

Bill

 

[ErikH]

Re: cables...always floor me

Mogami and Spectraflex are all I use. I've got a few cheapy cables laying around that I'll use in a pinch if necessary but they are not the first thing I go for.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: cables...always floor me

BTW...

One of the best values in cables is the 18"6" Road Hog (RH186) cables by Rapco that Guitar Center sells. Good construction, quality ends, very good capacitance and noise specs for the cable...and a lifetime warranty for a budget price. Really good value.

Bill

 

[JeffB]

Re: cables...always floor me

I won't mention any names . People get snippy about cables, lol. But the way the plug is on these, is weird and when it breaks it is done. Jts not like a normal soldered cable with a straight plug.

That said, I could have got a different plug, cut the cable short and soldered it. Thought never crossed my mind. I'm a moron. Lesson learned.

 

[LLL]

Re: cables...always floor me

Mogami and Spectraflex are all I use. I've got a few cheapy cables laying around that I'll use in a pinch if necessary but they are not the first thing I go for.

How are the Mogami guitar cables? I use Mogami mic cables.

 

[Securb]

Re: cables...always floor me

I use Monsters. Only reason being Best Buy carries them and I could get then on my son's discount. I got them for $5-10 per cable, the mark up on Monster is criminal.

 

[ErikH]

Re: cables...always floor me

How are the Mogami guitar cables? I use Mogami mic cables.

They've been pretty durable for me. I have a couple silvers and a gold. Really solid. I can clearly hear a difference with them versus the few cheapy cables I have.

 

[Demanic]

Re: cables...always floor me

I probably have as much, or more, invested in cables than I do in the pedals and amps etc. that they connect. Though maybe not much more. Monsters and Groove Plugs, in case you were wondering.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: cables...always floor me

Ive been using these monsters for about 6 years now, and never had one go bad. I cannot say the same about any of the Live Wire or Planet Waves cables I used before, which would last about 6-12 months of regular practices and 1 or 2 gigs a month

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MRock2-21

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: cables...always floor me

Ive been using these monsters for about 6 years now, and never had one go bad. I cannot say the same about any of the Live Wire or Planet Waves cables I used before, which would last about 6-12 months of regular practices and 1 or 2 gigs a month

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MRock2-21

Funnily enough, my experience was the opposite of yours!
I had 2x Monster cables and they would short out constantly.

Moving to Divine Noise stopped that from happening.

I think I just had a run of terrible luck with mine...

 

[jeremy]

Re: cables...always floor me

i have few different monster cables and they all sound a little different. the jazz cables are pretty balanced, the rock is brighter, the studio is warm but clear, the standard is a little thin but they all can sound fine in the right situation. i usually use a 12' jazz and a 12' studio. ive had a handful replaced under warranty, dont think they are terribly durable but they sound good and i got them cheap when i worked at gc 10+ years ago

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: cables...always floor me

I love Fender Tweed cables; however, half of mine have lasted long while the other half didn't. I got a Bill Lawrence A300 pickup with a 12 foot cable that is awesome! I put an order in for their cables (40ft cable with 6 plugs for a 20ft and 2 10ft) via e-mail but haven't received a response yet.

Anyone ordered cables from Bill'nBecky Lawrence before?

 

[jackson111]

Re: cables...always floor me

wow really I had no idea cables made that big of a difference. I just what I got I do have a road hog cable for my guitar but I have el cheapos from my local music shop as far as my send and receive and connecting all my pedals. I have to look into this. I have a friend from LA that thinks its got to be a mogami or nothing. will having the cheapo cables for send and receive make a difference or is the input signal the most important?