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| Topic:
Best Bass Guitar Cable |
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jocal62
Eel
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Posted: 11/3/2006 8:53:00 AM
I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed before, so here goes my queries ---
For our love and investment of our Rics, shouldn't we at least invest on the best cable as well? So, my main question is: What is the best bass guitar cable we can reasonably get? I say reasonably because I've seen some sites (which names escape me now) where I've seen their prices well into the hundreds of dollars. I know Planet Waves are supposed to be good, although I haven't tried it out yet. So I'm thinking of getting a really good cable that's still within the reasonable price range, as I'm still using the regular music store-branded ones. What would you all recommend?
Posts: 249 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Registered: 5/9/2006 8:25:00 AM
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jocal62
Eel
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Posted: 11/3/2006 9:02:00 AM
Sorry, I just found that this has been discussed somewhat here:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=1694&forum=General_Forum&thread_name=Cable%20suggestions%20please
But it doesn't say in there if what they were talking about are just guitar cables or BASS GUITAR cables. Most recommend Monster Cable. Will that be the best for bass as well, for longevity, durability, and tone?
Posts: 249 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Registered: 5/9/2006 8:25:00 AM
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geddeeee
Marlin
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Posted: 11/3/2006 9:22:00 AM
I use Planet Waves cables and they are superb and reasonably priced. Our guitarist used to use Monster, but has switched to Planet Waves because he was impressed with my Rick bass tone. YMMV!
Posts: 266 Location: Southampton, England Registered: 4/4/2006
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Master_of_Orion36
Orca
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Posted: 11/3/2006 1:12:00 PM
I'm a fan of Monster.
Posts: 385 Location: CV, NY Registered: 8/11/2006 8:53:00 AM
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jocal62
Eel
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Posted: 11/3/2006 1:26:00 PM
Seems like the choice is just between Planet Waves and Monster. The advantage I see with Planet Waves is the Circuit Breaker Switch on the cable so named. Since I alternate my Hofner with my Ric in our gigs and changing the guitars midway is now possible without having to turn my amp volume down, it makes sense to get the Planet Waves cable...
Unless there are any objections? Let's hear it from the Monster proponents, let us all know of the pros and cons. Help us decide so we don't have to buy and return and change and return...
Posts: 249 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Registered: 5/9/2006 8:25:00 AM
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Rickenbrother
Orca
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Posted: 11/3/2006 3:24:00 PM
I use Planet Waves cables. I bought a few several years ago. I haven't had to buy any cables since. The sound passes through the PW's cables strong and clear from my basses to my amp with no noise.
Posts: 2030 Location: USA Registered: 8/10/2005
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jocal62
Eel
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Posted: 11/3/2006 4:06:00 PM
quote: I use Planet Waves cables. I bought a few several years ago. I haven't had to buy any cables since. The sound passes through the PW's cables strong and clear from my basses to my amp with no noise.
Thanks Joey. You're an authority so I take your word as law :-D
Posts: 249 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Registered: 5/9/2006 8:25:00 AM
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aceonbass
Orca
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Posted: 11/3/2006 4:22:00 PM
All of my cables are custom made for me by Butch Ammons at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge,LA. His prices are better than all of those boutique cables out there with the bogus claims and he'll make the cable any way you like in a choice of six colors. Google him and check out his website. He backs his cables for life and offers a number of custom options.
Posts: 757 Location: Lenexa,Kansas Registered: 8/12/2005
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Rickenbrother
Orca
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Posted: 11/3/2006 4:43:00 PM
quote:Thanks Joey. You're an authority
Oh, I don't know about that! LOL But thanks for the kind words anyway.
There are a few companies making excellent instrument cables, but these were the first cables that I've used that I didn't have a problem with after a period of time. My cables have seen many gigs and still work like they are new.
I've heard good things about Monster, DiMarzio and George L cables, though I haven't used them. I've been satisfied with using Monster home audio and video cables though.
Posts: 2030 Location: USA Registered: 8/10/2005
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astond
Barracuda
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Posted: 11/3/2006 5:35:00 PM
at the past I used to buy cables from some kind of manufacturers, but now i make them my self. DIY.
just soldering good quality cable with nutrik plugs.
very easy.
Posts: 164 Location: israel Registered: 9/18/2006 4:16:00 PM
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Invisible_Music
Shark
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Posted: 11/3/2006 5:55:00 PM
Monster, by far.
Posts: 326 Location: West Coast, USA Registered: 11/18/2005
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NervX5
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/3/2006 6:30:00 PM
My favorite so far is my 18' Mogami Gold Instrument cable. Expensive, but worth it. My opinion of Monster Bass is that it adds a slight mud to the tone. Loss of clarity, if you will. A/B a Monster Bass with another cable if you can. You will hear what I am talking about.
I just ordered a new 20' CoreX2 instrument cable. Wide 20Hz-40kHz ±0.5dB frequency response (or so they say). I have a few of their short cables to connect my wireless to my Ampeg SVP-CL preamp, and from the preamp to my Crest CA9 power amp. So far, the cables are very good. That's why I ordered a full length cable for when the wireless is not in use. They are thick and not as flexible though.
Hope that helps anybody.
Posts: 13 Location: New Jersey Registered: 10/27/2006 7:21:00 AM
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johnallg
Orca
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Posted: 11/3/2006 7:01:00 PM
I stand by my recommendation in the other thread - if you can solder get the Canare GS-6 cable - it is the lowest capacatance-per-foot cable I could find, it is very reasonably priced, and it sounds fantastic - very clean highs and overall sound. I see Butch Ammons at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge, LA that aceonbass recommended uses that cable, so if you can't solder, get it from him already made up. It is the cleanest and clearest sounding cable that I have tried, and I have tried.
Posts: 1564 Location: S.W. Michigan Registered: 9/23/2005
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BlindJustice
Salmon
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Posted: 11/4/2006 6:43:00 AM
I'm sure there are a lot of good bass cables out there. I must take exception, however, to whomever said that Monster cables "muddy up" the sound and create a loss of clarity. Several years ago, my son was working at a music store, and a Monster rep came and provided a presentation/demonstration to the sales staff. He "A"/"B"'d several different cables to the Monster "Best" bass cable. The Monster was noticeably clearer. Because my son was able to get a substantial discount, I bought one. I would probably never have paid the normal asking price (I think the list price for a 20' one was about $100 back then), but with the discount, it was reasonable. I conducted my own "A"/"B" comparison at home, and the Monster was "clearly" better. Expensive, but very good. I can't speak for the Planet Waves because I've never tried them. I'm sure they're very good also, and probably cheaper.
Oh yeah, one other thing with the Monster "Best" cable. It's substantially thicker than your normal bass instrument cable. I have a Monster "Better" bass cable as well as the "Best". The "Best" is noticeably thicker than the "Better", which is a standard diameter cable. Both are good, but you'd only go with the "Best" if money isn't a concern.
Posts: 104 Location: Memphis, Registered: 9/15/2005
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gray
Orca
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Posted: 11/4/2006 7:04:00 AM
I did all the wiring in my bass cabinet w/ Monster wiring and it worked out great. However, I had a Monster cable for my bass for about six months when out of the blue it died completely, all at once. No crackles or shorts, it just died. I have no idea why. That's just my experience, rare as it may be. Lately I've been using the cable that came w/ my Rick-O-Sound.
Posts: 742 Location: southeastern wisconsin Registered: 1/24/2006
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Slater
Grouper
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Posted: 11/4/2006 9:52:00 AM
I've had very good results with Whirlwind cables. I have two that are over 10 years old and still work perfectly.
Also, I have a couple of Bayou speaker cables, and they're top notch. Bayou Cables makes great products if you want to give them/him a try...
Posts: 8 Location: Great Lakes State Registered: 10/26/2006 1:01:00 PM
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jps
Bass Guru
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Posted: 11/4/2006 10:43:00 AM
+1 on the Whirlwind. I have going back to the mid '70s that is still great.
Posts: 951 Location: NE Ohio Registered: 8/9/2005
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geddeeee
Marlin
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Posted: 11/4/2006 4:38:00 PM
In my experience, speaker cables are often overlooked. A good cable between cab and amp can pay dividends. All cables used with a Rick should be high quality.
Planet Waves, Monster and Whirlwind are all good cables. Thumbs up to everyone!!!
Posts: 266 Location: Southampton, England Registered: 4/4/2006
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Greg_Mitchell
Marlin
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Posted: 11/4/2006 5:22:00 PM
I have a couple of good cables that I'm fairly happy with. I've got a 20' George L that sounds really clear and the one that came with my R-O-S kit. The George L goes from the preamp to the power amp and the Rick cable goes from bass to preamp. Thats when I'm not using the R-O-S kit.
Posts: 275 Location: Blue skies and ultraviolet rays Registered: 8/12/2005
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Rikk
Trout
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Posted: 11/4/2006 5:36:00 PM
I'd second the Canare recomendation. I run a studio and use Canare for a good deal of the cableing. It sounds great.
Monster has a great marketing budget...I'll leave it at that.
Rikk
Posts: 78 Location: MA Registered: 10/7/2005
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Master.of.Brewtality
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/7/2006 11:50:00 AM
I use Monster, both speaker and instrument. Before that I used Spectraflex for years. I perceived a difference when I changed.
Posts: 18 Location: Southeast Texas Registered: 11/6/2006 7:05:00 PM
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jocal62
Eel
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Posted: 11/7/2006 12:26:00 PM
quote:I stand by my recommendation in the other thread - if you can solder get the Canare GS-6 cable - it is the lowest capacitance-per-foot cable I could find, it is very reasonably priced, and it sounds fantastic - very clean highs and overall sound. I see Butch Ammons at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge, LA that aceonbass recommended uses that cable, so if you can't solder, get it from him already made up. It is the cleanest and clearest sounding cable that I have tried, and I have tried.
I did some shopping around the local music stores here, most verified that although they carry Monster cables, they would recommend Planet Waves over it as Monster tends to muddy the sound a bit (which I tried and it does, sorry to say), so I was leaning into getting a Planet Waves cable, but doing a little bit more research upon John Allgaier's recommendation, via email I contacted Butch Ammons @ Bayou Cables, and I must say I was impressed by his knowledge and insight on the proper instrument, amp and mic cables. So now I must report that my first choice would be Bayou Cables, second would be Planet Waves.
I'm ordering from Bayou within the week, getting one 20' for my bass, one 3' for my DI, and one 30' XLR to the PA mixer. Thanks johnallg, and thanks to Butch as well for their excellent service, reminds me of Kenny...
Posts: 249 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Registered: 5/9/2006 8:25:00 AM
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Master.of.Brewtality
Mackerel
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Posted: 11/7/2006 2:15:00 PM
quote:quote:I stand by my recommendation in the other thread - if you can solder get the Canare GS-6 cable - it is the lowest capacitance-per-foot cable I could find, it is very reasonably priced, and it sounds fantastic - very clean highs and overall sound. I see Butch Ammons at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge, LA that aceonbass recommended uses that cable, so if you can't solder, get it from him already made up. It is the cleanest and clearest sounding cable that I have tried, and I have tried.
I did some shopping around the local music stores here, most verified that although they carry Monster cables, they would recommend Planet Waves over it as Monster tends to muddy the sound a bit (which I tried and it does, sorry to say), so I was leaning into getting a Planet Waves cable, but doing a little bit more research upon John Allgaier's recommendation, via email I contacted Butch Ammons @ Bayou Cables, and I must say I was impressed by his knowledge and insight on the proper instrument, amp and mic cables. So now I must report that my first choice would be Bayou Cables, second would be Planet Waves.
I'm ordering from Bayou within the week, getting one 20' for my bass, one 3' for my DI, and one 30' XLR to the PA mixer. Thanks johnallg, and thanks to Butch as well for their excellent service, reminds me of Kenny...
I've never heard of Bayou Cables and they are down here in my region. I'll have to give them a try.
Posts: 18 Location: Southeast Texas Registered: 11/6/2006 7:05:00 PM
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Rickenbrother
Orca
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Posted: 11/7/2006 5:08:00 PM
quote:I stand by my recommendation in the other thread - if you can solder get the Canare GS-6 cable - it is the lowest capacatance-per-foot cable I could find, it is very reasonably priced, and it sounds fantastic - very clean highs and overall sound. I see Butch Ammons at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge, LA that aceonbass recommended uses that cable, so if you can't solder, get it from him already made up. It is the cleanest and clearest sounding cable that I have tried, and I have tried.
I'm very content with my Planet Waves cables, but should they ever fail or be lost I'll give the Bayou Cables a try.
Posts: 2030 Location: USA Registered: 8/10/2005
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bassplumber
Trout
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Posted: 11/8/2006 3:28:00 PM
I use planet waves, they also have a really nice stereo y-cable that I use instead of the Rick-o-sound kit. Works great.
Posts: 62 Location: New Jersey Registered: 3/1/2006
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