Guitar cables discussion

[barrymclark]

Originally Posted by lindydanny

A buddy of mine went to Monster's cable university when he was selling for Mars music. They had a motivational speaker and everything...

Best test he came up with, though, would be to take two identical mics with identical speaker/amps/PAs and plug them in with two cables. Record thirty seconds of silence and see which is quieter.

Personally, though, I figure as long as it doesn't bind up when I'm storing my gear, its works, and the solder isn't bad, then the cable is good.

~DB

I worked for Mars Music from about 1998-2002.

I also attended that Monster Cable University thing. They held it in a hotel's conference room. He was right.... there was a VERY annoying motivational speaker. I got a free cable and surge protector. They still work to this day.... but I never bought one. haha.

A good cable is a good cable whether it is Monster or whomever. But... yeah, I can see someone having issues with Monster about their litigious ways.

I don't plan on buying another. The cost of them vs getting just as good quality for MUCH cheaper by a company that doesn't sue everything under the sun.

[MjCartney]

Originally Posted by ksjazzguitar

I may regret piping in here, but I love George L's. They sound good to me and are utterly indestructible. If they do crap out, the screw end makes it a 30 second solderless repair. I just bought 50 feet of cable and a bunch of ends and made what I needed. I remember I decided to try them after I read a Guitar Player article that rated them as having nearly as good conductance specs as the expensive ones but with more durability and a lower price. I've had no complaints. My original batch has lasted me 12 years now and are still going strong.

I'm not saying their the best strings, but they are pretty darn good. They work for me.

Peace,
Kevin

Ditto that. I like George l's for the same reasons. I like the Lava ELC and retro-coils also, but the George L's are my favs.

[robertm2000]

Best guitar cable I have is a 35 year old Belden mic cable with Switchcraft plugs. Seems to have slightly clearer highs with most guitars I play through it. Capacitance, Glenn D. White of the University of Washington told me. The cable started at around 12 feet, is down to around 9' now because of plug replacement.

One other thing that made a difference in the sound - I use Caig DeOxIT contact cleaner regularly on all my amp jacks, and guitar output jacks and pickup switches. I was surprised at the audible difference! Apparently corrosion on metal parts causes a lot more interference with signals than you'd think.

I played with hi-fi for nearly 45 years and never bought the "snake-oil" of massively expensive cables. Monster Cable was a big offender in marketing hype. Tape Op Magazine has had several articles that mention Monster Cable being the "de rigeur" cable in the 1980s, I think it was, and how audio folks would swear they heard a difference in recordings made in a studio that had Monster Cables lying on the floor, even if they weren't hooked to anything!

[Vihar]

I make my own cables out of Proel parts, usually 20 feet (6 meters). They work fine.

[Vihar]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I don't think a cable is just about treble. Its true good cables will give you more highs (low impedance) but some cables could give you that and still change your sound in the mids / low - like George Ls.

Make that low capacitance and then the statement is true.

Some examples are shown at the bottom of this page.

[jorgemg1984]

Hi Vihar my mistake, I meant low capacitance, sorry. George Ls cable sucks all your lows and gives you too many treble IMO.

[SearchForMeaning]

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

With all the talk about various guitar and amp components no one seems to evver mention cables. What are you cats using and why? Do you think the various cables that a company like Monster offers really make and audible difference for the average guy out playing jazz? I meean the audiophiles can chime in about this or that in the studio but most of us are either playing at home or out on gigs not trying to lay down a track.

I am using a standard 12' Monster cable...no reason than my guitar buddies all said it was the best brand...It works...beyond that I don't know...

'Mike

My monster plug broke. Right off!

[kawa]

1. Guitar Cable Sound Test?????????? - YouTube

[henkkicken]

When playing my L5 or my nylon string Ramirez 2CWE I am using a Fatso-Flex cable by Spectraflex and a Henriksen Jazz amp

[Tom Karol]

I've had good luck and good results with standard Spectraflex cables for many years. Whenever I get a new electric guitar, I get a new Spectraflex. Plus they look cool!