Author Topic: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.  (Read 1041 times)

edwardofhuncote

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I figure either this is a goofy idea or someone else already thought of it... anyway, here goes. If, at the end you guys conclude I'm nuts, that's fine too. Someone once told me we're all a little crazy, it's just a matter of degrees.  ;D


Okay... specifically with my Alembics, I use right-angle to straight 1/4" male plug instrument cables. I've discovered (as some of you no doubt have) a good many of the high-end instrument cables don't work so well with the jacks on our basses/guitars... something about either the plug itself, or the rubber connector won't allow them to *click* into place and stay. 


Quite by accident, I once managed to find a 10' cable that works perfectly. Even has gold-plated connectors. The cable itself though, is kinda' cheap small-gauge wire... works okay, no problem with shielding or anything. I keep the wire looped through my strap, then pass it through my belt loops to the back, and keep most of the cable bundled in my back pocket. From there, I connect to a longer instrument cable with a 1/4" female-to-female adapter. This provides something of a protective breakaway point in case some knuckle-head gets tangled up in my cable. I don't run around onstage much (I guess a fortunate holdover from playing upright all these years) but I know people with a Tarzan complex... some of them play guitar. 


So my idea (I'm getting there) is a shorter, more substantial version of what I already have; a right-angle to straight patch cable, but only 3'-4' long, made using heavier wire, and an Alembic-compatible plug. Gold would be nice, for those of us who are compulsive-fixers/matchers. (I really am Jack Nicholson in "As Good as it Gets" ) 


Sooo... Who makes it?


Would I be as well to just make them myself? 


Where's a good place to get 'the good stuff' for that?


Should I forget the whole thing and seek counseling? (and/or a girlfriend like Helen Hunt)


Go. 

jazzyvee

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2016, 10:03:59 AM »
I prefer right angled jacks on all my non series basses and guitars even strats. it is also hit and miss with commercial cables whether they stay in the jack or not. I tried a few of the fender "Custom Shop" cables and the right angled jack doesn't stay in the bass but the straight jack end does. However the ones labeled "Performance Series", seem to stay in my alembics with no problem.
Other than that I have found though that when I've needed to replace jacks and used Neutrix right angled or straight plugs, so far they have always worked and stayed plugged in.

NP2RX-B black & gold mono 1/4" Right Angle guitar jack plug
Neutrik NP2RX 2-pole mono 1/4" Right Angle jack plug
Neutrik NP2X 2-pole mono 1/4" 6.35mm jack plug
I like the idea of a short and connected to a longer cable.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

rv_bass

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2016, 12:04:11 PM »
I use Mogami Gold cables and they work well with my Alembics.  I don't think they make short male/female cables (at least my quick search didn't find one), but I have seen other brands on line that do.

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2016, 03:55:05 AM »
I'm going to drop by a local pro-audio shop this afternoon, and see if they could just make up what I've described... if it works out, I'll have them make a couple more, one for each bass - just keep them in the case pocket. (see... told you guys I was wired-up like that)  ;D

I did get one idea from Jazzy's post though. (thanks Jazzy!) If I go the custom-made route, I can eliminate the 1/4" female-to-female adapter by simply having it made with a 1/4" female jack on the opposite end of the 1/4" right-angle plug.  ;)
 

edwin

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2016, 08:36:45 PM »
15 minutes with a soldering iron and you're done. And that's with a bathroom break. Hit up www.redco.com for the parts.

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2016, 02:41:59 PM »
Updated-

Talked to my guy at local pro-audio shop the other day, and stopped by this afternoon. Drew up what I wanted, and they're going to build me a few. Neutrik and Switchcraft components, 95% shielded cable. Should have them in hand in a couple days.

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Alembic-compatible Instrument Cables, or just another goofy idea.
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2016, 03:14:21 PM »
Just to finish this one out - the new 'safety' cables came in the other day, and I finally got some time to run over and pick them up. They work exactly as planned. (that doesn't happen 'round here much...) Both the Neutrik and Switchcraft right-angle plugs pop into the jacks on both my Alembics with a very satisfying *snap*, and are just long enough to loop through my straps, and fish through belt loops to the back.

I had two of each made up... the Neutriks I'm thinking will go with my Persuader 5-string and the Custom fretless build when she comes, and one of the Switchcraft cables will stay in the case with the Distillate, (looks more old-school ;)) leaving one extra cable for... well shoot. Clearly, now I need to find another Alembic to put it with!  ;D

Anyways... here they are.

*edit- forgot to mention, wound up costing me about $12 each on the Switchcraft and $17 each on the Neutrik.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2016, 03:18:30 PM by edwardofhuncote »