do cables really matter that much?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bunghole
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bunghole

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I mean, I know if I buy a 20 ft cable for 5 dollars it might be a cheapo

but pretty much anything from a reputable company, I won't be able to tell the difference right?

I mean those Dimarzio 15 ft cables are like 30 bucks.

Basically what I'm sayin is "what are the cheapest good cables I can buy"?
 
do they make a difference? yes. is it noticeable enough to care? for me it its. but it depends how picky you are. in a band setting you would be the only one to notice. the differences are there(mostly clarity and coloration). you'd maybe notice it more recording. some people are freaky picky about it. some don't think it matters at all. I'm middle of the road. I bought Canare raw cable and a bunch of switchcraft ends and did it myself - MUCH cheaper if you want to get into higher end cable.
 
I'm not too picky

I can recognize shit when I hear it

but I couldn't tell you if I was listening to a 500 dollar peavey or a 3000 dollar soldano if I couldn't see them
 
I bought 2 monster rock cables, no tonal difference, just last longer and a better quality then $5 cables. The cool thing about it is the lifetime warranty that came with them. The dude said my dog could chew them up and all I'd have to do is bring them back and exchange them for new ones. :thumbsup:
 
I bought a Mogami Platinum cable because I heard a noticeable difference between it, Monster, and Live Wires. Really big difference. But, I'm sticking to only 1 cable as it was EXPENSIVE! Monster, Planet Waves, DiMarzio... they'll all good enough for me. The Platinum will probably be my "Studio" cable.
 
Monster cables are crap man...

I can't tell you how many I've been through. So what if they have a great return policy, the cables suck! You guys should look into making your own. If you can solder onto an eyelet (soooo damn easy) it saves a shit load of money. Not even funny how much you can save.

http://www.redco.com

Look at the ridiculous prices on bulk Mogami. Not to mention you can use some kickass Neutrik connectors. Also, custom lengths!

-Joe
 
I should add the the above is just my humble opinion...based on my experiences.

I once had a Monster that didn't hum the slightest, transmitted sound fine. But my tone was lacking for so long. I thought it was pickups, thought it was tubes...I bought a lava cable and my sound improved 100%.

If you don't solder your own, Lavas are the shit in my opinion.

-Joe
 
Yeah, there's a difference. I found a huge difference going from store brand -> Planet Waves -> Magami. I'm not about to spend $200 on a 10' cable, as I think there becomes a huge case of diminishing returns; however, I'm not messing with the store brand junk anymore.
 
with a proper guitar, proper amp, quiet room: yes, HUGE difference.

On a stage: not so much, you can also dial in a bit more gain/treble.

On everything analog audio/video: the end result can only be as good as the weakest component.

You don't wanna lose quality on the first component in the signal chain, right?

I play VoVox, they are awesome. If I play a 1000$ + axe and a 2000$ + amp with 1000$ or effects, why should I bother about 50$ more for a cable? It just makes sense to take care.
 
I can't state my opinion on the case of something like Mogami vs. Vovox..

BUT

I was using Livewire for instrument and speaker cables. It was a 20ft Livewire and a 2ft livewire. I got a 15ft Vovox instrument and a 2ft speaker.. The change is drastic. I have more sustain, clarity, more.... TONE.

My gear isn't Gibson LP VM + Roadster. It's Gibson LP VM + Roadster + Vovox. It's a significant part of my gear is what I'm trying to say ;)



Oh btw, Vintage mode, Gain 2'oclock with master high up, holding the strings I sometimes think that I have a noise gate in the loop of my Roadster. That's how quiet they are.


Also I'd like to add, with whatever brand you wanna go, I recommend Mark & Lava Cables. Shopped there twice. Both my orders were at my door in 1 day.
 
I hate Monster cables, especially expensive ones like monster guitar or monster bass, they kill the top end.

George L has good cables, but connectors suck!

My personal favorite is Mogami 2524 with Neutrik Gold connectors, works like a charm for me. However I don't know how good they are for live playing, but they are very damn good for studio use. I get them from this guy info@nyproaudiocables.com , you can find him on evil bay too, very good price!

Conquest USA makes pretty good cables for a good price, if you have a local retailer.
 
I use Sommer "Spirit" cable with Neutrik jacks (big heavy duty right angled jack and a heavy duty straight on the other end.)

I buy reels of the cable cheap and buy plenty of jacks, and just make them myself. Saves me a lot of money and it sounds great!
 
I buy the spectorflex cables. I had one of the real early models fail after more than 10 years of use. I emailed the company and they sent me a new cable no cost. I had no proof of purchase other than the cable which was all they required. Sound wise they work for me and are flexible.
 
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/273587.html

this is the place I shop at. cheapest I've seen + its local to me so I can just swing in and pick up what I need.

I put up the Mogami just for price comparison.

this is what I bought last time:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/340942.html

...and noticed a big improvement tonally from the monster rock I had been using. I've had lots of Monster go bad on me which is why I stopped using them in the 1st place. the lifetime warr. is great, but the lack of reliability sucks when you're gigging trying to figure out what the hell is wrong in the middle of a show. I've yet to have one of my homemade cables crap out.

everything in my rack is George L's, I've never had any issue with that either, I solder mine to switchcraft ends. I've had the cable in there for 6-7 years.
 
They really do make a difference. I noticed it right away when I redid my pedal board with George L's .. is it a nce improvment which led me to sawp out all my cheaper tone suckin cables. I use monstar cables from heads to cabs and George Ls instrument cable.
 
I love my Monster Rocks. I don't get why they get slagged. Sound great. I've returned 3 of them that I broke the tip on (my fault). They send me new ones free. Haven't bought a new cable in years.
 
I notice a BIG difference but try not to preach about brands etc. You need to draw your own conclusions.
 
I mention brands due to the quality of the cable but even more due to the customer service which was outstanding. They should be rewarded for the replacement policy.
 
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