Instrument cable preferences.

[bigredbass]

Store bought cables?  As much Mogami as you can afford (they make them in several grades), all with genuine Neutrik connectors.  For me, there is no other choice for 'over the counter.

If I need anything custom built, I use Butch at Bayou Cables in Baton Rouge, LA.  Butch is a former electronic tech for a US Navy subcontractor, and I get a bang out of him explaining how wiring a submarine, well, it's the 'ultimate floating ground' !  Again, Butch only uses Canare cable and Neutrik to any length you want. www.bayoucables.com

I'd also bring this up:  What with their rep, there are LOTS of counterfeit Neutrik connectors floating around, and these can really, really damage any of the new Class D amps running Speakon connectors in the NL cables.  BE SURE to use a trusted source to be sure you get the genuine article.

[pauldo]

Solder cable ends?  I can barely sweat copper pipes. 😜


Will keep bayoucables in mind for the future.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I have always found sweating pipe to be much harder than soldering cords.

Peter (who hates plumbing - and plumbing hates him; any job involving pipes is guaranteed to require at least 3 trips to the hardware and total depletion of his rather sizable store of profanity)

[Glynn]

I used Monster Cables for quite a while as I was taken by what I think is Bass hype.  They made no difference to the sound, despite the claims, and were far too stiff.  I have cables made up for me by Mike Hills in Milton Keynes, UK using Van Damme cable which is SO flexible and Neutrik gold plated plugs - about £25/30 per cable and never fail.  Plus they will put your name on for free.  Come a long way from dodgy curly leads where I started in the 60s.
Glynn

[cozmik_cowboy]

Gold plated plugs are wonderful for permanent installations, as gold does not tarnish.
But claims about its conductive properties have no bearing on performance, as the signal still has to pass through whatever the plating is on, and thus will be conducted at the rate of that material.
And gold is soft; plugging it in and out will wear it off.

Brass, on the other hand, does nothing but tarnish - so avoid mil-spec plugs like the plague - unless you enjoy spending half your time rubbing your plugs with 0000 steel wool soaked in contact cleaner.........  (Don't ask how I know this.)

Nice chromed Switchcraft or Neutrik for me, thank you very much.

Peter

[gtrguy]

One of these posts brings up an interesting point. Always make sure you grab your cables after a gig where another band is tearing down or setting up up before or after you. It's amazing how well meaning folks helping a band will grab everything in sight without realizing the items may by yours and not the other bands!

[cozmik_cowboy]

One of these posts brings up an interesting point. Always make sure you grab your cables after a gig where another band is tearing down or setting up up before or after you. It's amazing how well meaning folks helping a band will grab everything in sight without realizing the items may by yours and not the other bands!

Excellent point; I have been on both ends of that.

Peter

[lbpesq]

One of these posts brings up an interesting point. Always make sure you grab your cables after a gig where another band is tearing down or setting up up before or after you. It's amazing how well meaning folks helping a band will grab everything in sight without realizing the items may by yours and not the other bands!

Like many others, I assume, I often receive free little peel ‘n stick return address labels in the mail.   I put one on the plug at one end of each of my cables and on my mic stands.

Bill, tgo

[peoplechipper]

I pack cables first, as they go in the case under my pedalboard, as for cables, I make mine with switchcraft or neutrik, and usually mogami wire; I've had cables last for 10 years or more. When packing your cables, feel how they want to spool which is how they were made in the first place; not only do they wrap up easier, I'm sure it greatly extends the cable life...

[fmm]

I make most of my own cables with Carare blue cable.  All of my cables have a blue velcro cable tie, so it's easier to see what's mine.
I occasionally make cables for other members of the band, but if they want blue cable, then I tell them that technically, those cables are mine.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I don't pay much attention to the brand of cable; just make sure it's braided copper, not solid, it's large enough to be sturdy, small enough to fit in the connector (ever try to mount Speakons to 10 ga wire?  I told the guy with the checkbook I needed 12 ga, but 10 was on sale, and he - not a tech dude - decided bigger must be better......), and - and here's the key part - rubber sheathing.  Rubber, you take it of the truck in February, uncoil it, and put it right where you want it.  Vinyl, PVC, etc., you'll have to let it warm up for a few hours before it stops being unruly - and even hot, it's gonna have coil in its memory.


Peter

[rv_bass]

I like Mogami Gold cables