-
Re: length -- if you're so inclined, buy a 5', 10', and 20' cable (go for inexpensive for this experiment!), and compare them. They will sound different, and whether you like them or not is another thing. [One cable guy I found likes "fuller," and recommends shorter, but as others have said here, longer removes some sound (treble), and they like that.]
Just beware of the "unicorn hair infused, 100% organic" type marketing from some brands!
Edit: Here's a fun list from Intex.Last edited by marcwhy; 07-07-2019 at 11:19 AM.
-
07-07-2019 10:30 AM
-
There’s a product called ZeroCapCable that claims to remove the effects of cable capacitance at audio frequencies using an active device at the far end. I haven’t tried it, but their web site seems to be based on actual engineering rather than a bunch of woo.
Even though I don’t think I need their product, their “Guitar Pickup Tone Database” is useful for understanding the effects of cable capacitance. For example, I used it to create this frequency response comparison between three hypothetical cables: a 10’ low capacitance cable, 20’ high capacitance cable, and a ZeroCap Cable. The latter is roughly equivalent to having a wireless transmitter plugged directly into the guitar, or plugging a guitar directly into the amp a very short (e.g. 1’) low capacitance cable.
I chose Gibson neck humbuckers with 500K volume pots for this comparison. Note that their analysis assumes the volume pot is set to 10, which results in more coupling between the pickup and cable than if the volume pot were turned down a bit. I wish they allowed the comparison to be made with lower pot settings, as I think the results would be a bit different. The pickup-to-cable coupling may explain why high capacitance seems to increase the frequency response in the midrange (around 1000 Hz). I wonder if that presence peak might disappear as the volume pot is turned down.
Here’s the site where you can enter your own parameters.
The Guitar Pickup Tone Database | Atlantic Quality Design, Inc. Musical Products
-
More info about instrument cable effects.
Measuring Guitar Cables – Mission Engineering
-
Excess treble is easily fixed, at least for my, either by the guitar's tone control, the amp EQ knobs, or both. I prefer having everything possible going to the amp in most cases, and then dealing with the treble with knobs instead of crappy cables. But YMMV.
-
Originally Posted by neatomic
Many (most?) modern pedals are buffered. “True bypass” pedals are only buffered when they are engaged. That’s often advertised as an advantage, but it means that when a pedal is disengaged the cable after it won’t be isolated from what came before. That’s why a number of people recommend that pedal boards have buffered pedal early in the signal chain.
The reason professional mics are low impedance or active is to allow long cable lengths to be run without screwing up the frequency response. That’s the same principle.
More geeky stuff on buffers, true-bypass, and cable impedance here:
The case against true bypass
and here:
When Is True Bypass Appropriate? | Neunaber Audio
-
Originally Posted by sgosnell
And it's just not that easy to find. My ES-175 has it, my Strat does not. BTW, I'm not dissing on my strat -- it's a beast!
I've been through a pile of jazz boxes (and pickup swaps etc) that just don't do that sweet singing top end.
anyone selling an ibanez pm120?
Today, 01:33 PM in For Sale