Question:
I'm looking for a guitar cable that will actually stand up to the abuse of weekly gigs. I paid $$ for 'studiolink' cable (you know the one) thinking price was the key. Wrong - it's developed a wierd 'microphonic' problem which bugs me. Would anybody like to suggest one that just won't give up?
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monster cables...
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I've read good things about George L's, too. If they ever develop a short or anything during a show you just unscrew the end, snip off a half inch or so and put it back on and it's good as new. Monster Cables also have a lifetime warranty, but that doesn't help you much if it gives out during a show.
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I like Ensotec Rock Rope cables -- I compared them side-by-side against Planet Waves cables and found that Ensotec transmits a truer sound.
As for durability, I've used them about two years and so far no problems. The advantage is that they cost much less than premium name brand cables.
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monster all the way
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This is purely anecdotal, but I've found fabric-coated cables to last significantly longer than the regular ones. In fact, I still have the cable that came with my guitar 5 or 6 years ago. It is cloth-covered. It still works fine. I have owned 3 or 4 regular cables. All are now dead.
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Originally Posted by Brent I've read good things about George L's, too. If they ever develop a short or anything during a show you just unscrew the end, snip off a half inch or so and put it back on and it's good as new. Monster Cables also have a lifetime warranty, but that doesn't help you much if it gives out during a show.
I'll never use anything else but George L's. I have them on my pedal board too and everywhere an instument cable is needed. In about two years, I've only had to fix one cable which took less than a minute - well, maybe two - with no soldering or special tools. All you need are wire cutters and a screwdriver, which means you can do repairs on the spot!
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Do all the George L's have set screws like that? I thought the angled plugs didn't have them and the "lid" just screwed on and pushed it into the contact point.
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Thanks for the recommendations folks. 'Monster' is the one that went microphonic on me so you've given me some good alternatives. Gracias.
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What do you mean by 'microphonic'? I just invested in about 10 monster cables (new to the brand) so I hope that I'm all good.
Anyone truly hear a difference between the high priced monster gold-plated-tip cables and their regular cables?
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I have some Peavey XCON cables that I've had for years. They are not expensive at all. It is not a soldered connection and they are VERY solid. I consider them to be a great product that is often overlooked and unappreciated. I don't know if the 90 degree version is as solid but I know that the straight version is.
Db
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Hi Mattbatt - It's really hard to describe, but when the cable bumps around on the floor (just normal use) the 'thumps' and noise actually gets into my guitar signal to a noticable level. I only experience this with this one Monster cable. Swap out the cable and all quiet again. It's really wierd.
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Originally Posted by paul1956 Hi Mattbatt - It's really hard to describe, but when the cable bumps around on the floor (just normal use) the 'thumps' and noise actually gets into my guitar signal to a noticable level. I only experience this with this one Monster cable. Swap out the cable and all quiet again. It's really wierd. I actually experience this same thing with a Kordex cable I have. I'll probably be replacing it soon though.
I've always had pretty decent success with LiveWire Instrument Cables. I was thinking aof going with Monster to replacement my Kordex, but I may end up with another LW or maybe Planet Waves...alot of it is determined by what I can find that is right angle/straight config.
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Originally Posted by Brent Do all the George L's have set screws like that? I thought the angled plugs didn't have them and the "lid" just screwed on and pushed it into the contact point.
They actually have both straight (with set screws) and the angled plugs which are as you describe.
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Originally Posted by paul1956 I'm looking for a guitar cable that will actually stand up to the abuse of weekly gigs. I paid $$ for 'studiolink' cable (you know the one) thinking price was the key. Wrong - it's developed a wierd 'microphonic' problem which bugs me. Would anybody like to suggest one that just won't give up?
Do you strain-relieve the cable at both ends? I've done a lot of gigging in my day, and my decent quality cables are still in my bag o' stuff and functional. I have repaired a couple here and there but not too much. The failure is usually at the end - the inner conductor is broken off the terminal. What I have always done, 'cause I'm lazy and don't like fixing cables, is strain relieve at both ends. At the amp end I wrap it around the handle, at the guitar end I loop it around the strap. That keeps the cable from getting tugged out of the connector, and also keeps the connectors from getting bent and loose. Also, I lay my cords out so that I don't step on them, and they won't get walked on or tripped over - that's more just due to the fact that I can't stand to be standing on cables, but it may also help longevity. When I'm done, I wrap them in a circle, while removing the twist, so that they don't get bent around in a small diameter radius, which is also reported to exend their useful life.
I have experienced that "microphonic" cable thing - they crackle or whatever a bit you move them around or step on them. My guess is that its due to some sort of breakdown of the insulators that causes a change in its capacitance, maybe even just a looseness of the inner conductor insulation against the shield...? It might also be caused by static electricity - an aged/abused cable with inner looseness allowing the plastic insulation to rub against the whatever. I think that's pretty common, not really sure if its even an issue in most cases, I don't remember ever throwing one away specifically for that reason.