Cables

[mpisanek]

There seems to be some question as to what type of cables to use with a bass.  I am no expert but am just wondering if any of you electronic heads can answer a few questions for me.
 
1.  Does cable quality make a difference to the sound of a bass?
 
2.  Are tuned for bass cables like those from Monster cables any better for the bass and why or why not?
 
3.  I have been using the same cable on my bass for over ten years.  Does the sound quality of a cable degrade over time.
 
4.  Does cable length make any difference to the sound?
 
5.  Does the same thing hold true for cables used for effects, speakers, etc.?
 
6.  Does the quality of the jacks themselves make a difference as well?
 
What cables are people using for their basses?
 
Thanks.
 
Michael.

[kmh364]

Michael:
 
With brevity in mind, I'll give you the quick and dirty answers as I see them (i.e., IMHO):
 
1) YES!
 
2) Maybe. If a cable is designed specifically for that purpose, I don't see why it can't, with varying degrees of success, do just that.
 
3) Sometimes yes, sometimes not. Good audio cables tend to improve sonically with age...unless the materials physically oxidize (i.e., conductors and connectors) and/or the dielectrics disintegrate (chemically or physically) or are damaged.
 
4) YES!  
 
5) YES!
 
6) YES!
 
There have been several threads on this very subject here, so you might wanna do a site search.  
 
Everyone uses something different, some buy 'em, some make 'em themselves. There are hi-dollar audiophile-grade cables, low-priced junk, and everything in between. While there is a difference, we're dealing with the Law Of Diminishing Returns here: it takes exponentially more dosh to get an infinitessimal improvement in sound quality. I'm currently using Monster, having had good results using them for my hi-fi rig, but their instrument cables exhibit microphonics (i.e., tap on the cable and you can clearly hear the thump through the amp!), which is unacceptable to me. People brag about Pete Cornish's stuff, others use MIT (a good audiophile cable), while others get Canare or Mogami wire and make their own. Alembic used to make their own years ago, but are apparently way too busy to bother these days. Listen for yourself and make-up your own mind. Bear in mind that old A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link axiom.  
 
Everyone else: please feel free to chime in here.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[george_wright]

I like what I get from Butch at Bayou Audio Cables, Inc..  He uses Canare, but, more important, he'll build cables to your specs.  I don't see how you can set up a rack without custom-spec'd cables.

[keith_h]

I have both Monster and Bayou Audio Cables cables.  
 
For my speaker cables, rack patch cables and stereo instrument cable I have Bayou. All are well made and the price was excellent.  
 
For my mono instrument and effects cables I use Monster. I have no complaints about sound quality. The biggest thing I like is if something goes wrong with one I can walk into any GC or Sam Ash and replace them on the spot.  
 
Keith

[811952]

I am an old curmudgeon fart, and I like Belden cables for nearly everything except speakers.  I do have Monster speakon speaker cables and 12-gauge generic zip cord 1/4-inch speaker cables.  Swithcraft or Neutrik connectors are a necessity.  The cheap stuff falls apart and/or doesn't seat properly.
John

[David Houck]

I pretty much agree with the above responses.
 
I too have started getting cables from Bayou.  But there are a number of other mom and pop type makers of quality cables.  Several of our fellow club members make their own.
 
If you are pushing a lot of power to your speakers, you do not want to be using 1/4 phone connectors; you should use speakon or banana plugs.
 
As Kevin mentioned, there have a been a number of discussions, some quite detailed, on this subject in the past.  It sounds like you are interested in this topic enough that it would be well worth your time to run a search.  I need to do that as well since this would be a good topic to add to the Must Reads section.

[jorge_s]

I've been using George L's cables for about 10 years.  I love the clarity.  They are very reasonably priced as well.   http://www.georgelsstore.com/home.html

[elec_ripple]

I once thought the boutique cables were snake oil until I tried an Evidence Audio cable.....
http://www.evidenceaudio.com/
 
They use a solid copper conductor and the difference is amazing!!
 
They will also sell cable only at a great price if you like to build your own.......

[jseitang]

hey has anyone used belden cords with neutrik plugs?  
 alembic used to make these called supercords. has anyone tried them?

[David Houck]

I think a lot of the custom small shop guys use Belden and Neutrik.  I think some of my rack cables and speaker cables are Belden and Neutrik.

[David Houck]

I just checked; my most recent cable purchases were Canare, not Belden.  The connectors were Neutrik.

[kmh364]

If you buy speaker cables with Speakons, so far you have your choice of any manufacturer, as long as it's Neutrik, LOL!
 
FWIW, Neutrik's connectors are generally excellent across the board.

[howierd]

I make my own cables and patch cords. For my series 1 I use Belden 8424. I buy it by 50' or 100' rolls. I use one 20' cord for home practicing and one for playing out. I use Canare L2T2S cables for patch cords and make them as short as possible. I use Neutrix and switchcraft connectors. You can never have too many cables.....
Howierd

[spliffy]

Hi guys, is there really a big difference in sound quality for speaker cables from say a 2 foot lenght to a 6 foot length? I guess I am trying to figure out what a good lenght would be. I have a 3 foot cord for my speaker, and AFAIK it sounds great, but would I really hear a difference (same manufacturer) if I went to 2 feet or even 1.5 feet?
Also what about instrument cable? Is 20 feet too long?
thanks
 
Al

[olieoliver]

AL, from my past experience if it's a good quality cable 20 feet should be fine. As for the speaker cables I can't see anything under 10 feet making that big of a difference as long as its good quality cables.