Asterope Guitar Cables

**Jazzandmore** · 06-30-2011, 05:42 PM

Hi All,
Wanted to start a thread and see if any of you have tried Asterope cables. I had never heard of the company until I ran across their booth at this last Winter NAMM in LA. They invited me to A/B their cable against a high end “reference cable” of which they had several (3 of them were Winners in the GP 49 Cable Shootout from 2008). After the first iteration, I could hear a difference between the two, but couldn’t put my finger on what it was exactly. The sound just seemed to have a little more “meat” and with chords there was greater note separation . After the second iteration which concluded with the Asterope, I realized that they had a subtle delay going that I had not noticed with the “reference” cable.

My lasting impression was the sound having a bit more thickness, but with added fidelity and clarity when using the Asterope. I must admit, because I did not test the Asterope against my favorite cables, (also a GP Shootout Winner). I didn’t buy the cables at that time. However, some months later I did decide to take their 21 day money back challenge and try the cables on my home rig. I’ll detail that in a follow on post. As a result of testing them at home, I have converted my whole rig to Asterope with great results in terms of how it has changed my sound.

[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']I know each of us has an ideal sound we are looking for, and our own ear is the only “judge” of what is right for us. For those looking to get a higher fidelity sound out of the guitar to feed into your effects and amp, Asterope is definitely something you should try out. With a 21 day money back guarantee, there is no risk in giving them a try. [/font]

**spiral** · 06-30-2011, 06:23 PM

Do they work with Wafer Custom Guitars?

**Jazzandmore** · 06-30-2011, 06:28 PM

Spiral,

As long as the wafer uses standard cables then this will work with them.

**bborzell** · 07-01-2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by spiral

Do they work with Wafer Custom Guitars?

Not until they get their web site back up (is there an echo in here?)

**bborzell** · 07-01-2011, 11:50 AM

At the risk of making this discussion appear to have been imported from the Audio Visual Science forum, I am as skeptical about significant sound differences among guitar cables as I am of stereo inter connects as well as speaker cables.

Yes, there is probably a verifiable sonic difference between zip cord and mega buck oxygen free 12 gauge speaker wire, but there is very likely the same difference between zip cord and any properly designed speaker cable at a fraction of the price of "high end" wire.

I don't know the cost of the Asterope cables, but unless they are designed and constructed in a manner that leaves them bulletproof for the long haul, then I have doubts as to their overall advantage over any other reasonably well constructed cable.

**spiral** · 07-01-2011, 12:02 PM

I personally have owned the same 3 cables since high school and have never wanted or needed to replace them. I think "fancy" cables are for people who have more money than time, but i am open to professional opinions.

**bborzell** · 07-01-2011, 12:02 PM

Wow! Their 15 ft cable is only $150.00. I should get one for each of my guitars and mandolins. And they are directional, too, so that you don't get confused and end up with your amp sending signals to your guitar pick up. Talk about a thin sound.

It it tastes like SPAM, it has probably been stored in somebody's cold war era bunker.

**spiral** · 07-01-2011, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by bborzell

Wow! Their 15 ft cable is only $150.00. I should get one for each of my guitars and mandolins. And they are directional, too, so that you don't get confused and end up with your amp sending signals to your guitar pick up. Talk about a thin sound.

It it tastes like SPAM, it has probably been stored in somebody's cold war era bunker.

HOLY ****! Did not notice that price or the directionality. LOL.

The Great Cable Myth

**82Benedetto** · 07-03-2011, 12:09 AM

Most of what cable sellers try to sell you on is bunk.

Go to HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! and check out their professional audio cables. Best bang for your buck you'll spend.

I've got a $100 monster cable and a $8 monoprice and I can't even hear the difference.

**bborzell** · 07-03-2011, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by 82Benedetto

Most of what cable sellers try to sell you on is bunk.

Go to HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! and check out their professional audio cables. Best bang for your buck you'll spend.

I've got a $100 monster cable and a $8 monoprice and I can't even hear the difference.

My entire home theater setup (5 amps, sound processor, 3 sources, projector, 7 speakers and 2 subs) has Monoprice cables.

**82Benedetto** · 07-03-2011, 01:20 AM

I only wish I had discovered them sooner

**spiral** · 07-03-2011, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by 82Benedetto

Most of what cable sellers try to sell you on is bunk.

It is even more hilarious for things like HDMI which are digital. "OMG. The picture is so much clearer with the Myfourohonekay cable!"

**mr. beaumont** · 07-03-2011, 11:55 AM

I do think that you need to go above the bargain basement cables if you're going to be gigging...nothing to do with sound, just reliability.

I have some $30-ish monster cables (and I read folks don't like monster...) that have lasted me years. That's good enough for me.

**spiral** · 07-03-2011, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I do think that you need to go above the bargain basement cables if you're going to be gigging...nothing to do with sound, just reliability.

I agree with that. I've had the same ProCo cables for years ... and i played a few gigs all through high school and college.

**Jazzandmore** · 07-05-2011, 12:49 PM

Wow, this post went in a different direction than I was hoping. Because our ears are the best judge, I certainly can’t argue that some people don’t hear a difference between quality cables. And others need longevity because of the wear and tear on a cable, so that may be their most important consideration. I was hoping to engage the other camp, folks who are working to achieve that specific tone and find that cables do have an impact.

I really like the cables I’d been using for a long time and they are definitely highly regarded. When I A/B’d them at home against the Asterope going straight from guitar to amp, I noticed a few things: 1) Asterope was louder, 2) tighter bass and more “sparkle” on the highs, 3) adjusting the guitar tone nob resulted in a wider range of tones. Chords definitely seemed to have more separation between strings as well. Obviously this positively impacted my tone when using delay, chorus or reverb. These things difference were not huge, not implying that Asterope made my old cables sound like string between two cans. But subtle differences still affect overall tone and thus your voice on the instrument.

When I put the hollowbody aside and picked up the Mike Stern Yamaha to go for more high gain sounds, then I got a big surprise. Each of us knows our favorite settings on pedals (if you use them) and the limits, to where if you crank the pedal anymore the sound is just not pleasing for you personally. What I found with the Asterope was that I could now use the full throw of both of my overdrive pedals (separately or together) without the signal becoming excessively dirty or harsh. And I ended up removing my noise cancelling pedal because I was not longer getting as much noise from my OD pedals when the gain was turned past 2 o’clock.

I’m no pro player, just a regular schmoe who loves jazz and playing guitar. No doubt about it in my mind, getting the sounds you want out of your guitar/effects/amp affects the way you play and express yourself. Just wanted to give my experience with this new piece of gear for those players out there who find that cables do affect their overall tone.

For those who say there is no difference, I totally respect that as being true for you. Again my goal is to engage the other camp (pro or amateur guitarists) that do hear a difference.

TH · 07-05-2011, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by spiral

I would be interested in hearing people's take on cable differences.

I have a monster cable, it's really rugged, but the one I wind up using all the time is George L's. It's not the most expensive by a long shot, and EVERYONE I know that has tried them says it's like playing with a filter removed.

I knew someone that had a roll of DIY "licorice cable" and ends. I tried them out and have been a convert since. At one point I put a set of "tweeters" on my amp speaker line and the result with or without effects was remarkable.

George L's also makes a tough integrated end cable that I used until it was stolen from me. Now it's really quiet-

David

**spiral** · 07-05-2011, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I have a monster cable, it's really rugged, but the one I wind up using all the time is George L's. It's not the most expensive by a long shot, and EVERYONE I know that has tried them says it's like playing with a filter removed.

Have you measured the capacitance between your cables?

**mr. beaumont** · 07-05-2011, 01:41 PM

Was your purpose to start a discussion about cables or to advertise for a brand you obviously have some connection with?

I ask because you've participated in no other discussions here except this one.

**Jazzandmore** · 07-05-2011, 04:05 PM

mr. Beaumont ,
Fair question. Like many players, when I am interested in new gear, I often read what other say on various forums out there. Jazzguitar.be is one I will often click on when it pops up in my search. And I visit this site to get jazz related info as well.

When it comes to other guitar equipment I own like Ibanez PM20 and PM100, boutique pedals, etc. so much has already been said on the various forums and magazines that nothing I contributed would really add anything.

Prior to and after buying the Asterope, I noticed I wasn’t finding anything on any forums about it. Since I really liked the sound I was getting with the cables I thought I’d go ahead and post something so that when others search, they wouldn’t come up blank. Just wanted to tell people about some gear I was excited about and that they might not know about. The cables I used for a long time and eventually replaced with Asterope were George L’s. LOVED the sound I got from those cables and have nothing but good to say about them. But the Asterope’s gave me a little something extra and I wanted to let others know.

I purposely avoided a forum like TGP because some of their folks can get very nasty in their comments to each other.

Like I said, just a regular guy that pays his hard earned money to buy the gear he uses. I am nowhere near a good enough player to be connected to any companies .

**mr. beaumont** · 07-05-2011, 04:19 PM

That's cool, you understand I have to check...we get spam everyday, every few hours.

Hope you stick around and post in all our subforums.

**bborzell** · 07-05-2011, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I have a monster cable, it's really rugged, but the one I wind up using all the time is George L's. It's not the most expensive by a long shot, and EVERYONE I know that has tried them says it's like playing with a filter removed.

I knew someone that had a roll of DIY "licorice cable" and ends. I tried them out and have been a convert since. At one point I put a set of "tweeters" on my amp speaker line and the result with or without effects was remarkable.

George L's also makes a tough integrated end cable that I used until it was stolen from me. Now it's really quiet-

David

I have a George L cable that is going on 30 years old. Works like a charm and all I have had to do to keep it working is snip off about 1" and reseat the cable end. I've done that twice in three decades.

**jorgemg1984** · 07-05-2011, 05:09 PM

Lots of people dont care about cables and say they dont hear difference but I think it does - usually these people also dont care about which Fender they will use or what reverb pedal. Some people even want a bad cable to get a certain SRV or Hendrix sound - read the amazing Cezar Diaz interview where he explains he had to use the cheapest cable he got in order to SRV get his sound.

I actually hear a difference in cables but I am not willing to pay a fortune for a guitar cable like Vovox, Evidence Audio or Lava.

This is a good reference for cables

Lava Cable - Buying Guide

I have used Klotz La Grande and Gerge Ls for years and I will change in the future. The Klotz are very expensive for what they do (a fine cable and thats it) and George Ls are very pratical because I can have them in the measure I want here in Lisbon - but they are very very bright which I dont like.

I checked asterope cables and they still are too expensive for me - and hated the brazilian church inspired marketing. After talking with some guys from TGP I went this route

SOMMER CABLE GRINDYCOP BEAST - Thomann Cyberstore Português

Its supposed to be really good and at this price you can have a 3m cables for around 30€ (with neutrik connectors), which is the same price as a Klotz La Grane. Ordered 15m and will make 3 cables and re-cable my entire pedalboard - if its as good as people told me it will be really cheap, much cheaper than most high-end cables.

For some good and cheap cables this is hard to beat

Award Session Cables. Welcome to award-session.com ClearTone Cables

The same as Klotz at 1/3 the price.

Of course this only aplies in the UE...

**bborzell** · 07-05-2011, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I do think that you need to go above the bargain basement cables if you're going to be gigging...nothing to do with sound, just reliability.

I have some $30-ish monster cables (and I read folks don't like monster...) that have lasted me years. That's good enough for me.

The Monoprice cables are bargain basement in price, but not in build quality or performance. I know of folks who have used them in $30K home theater setups. They are beefy and have high quality connectors.

**billkath** · 07-05-2011, 06:18 PM

I use Sommer cables, and can vouch for it's quality and sound.

**jorgemg1984** · 07-05-2011, 06:20 PM

Thats really good to know, my tech is going to do the whole thing, hope to have the cables soon. If they sound good its a real find, very very cheap compared to other high end cables (and also a warning for those who use Lava - they sell everything overpriced).

Another thing about George Ls, they were intially intended for steel players which might explain the brightness