Bass Masta070 asked:
I have gone through probably about 5 cables in the past year for my bass guitar, and i can’t think of anything im doing that is ruining these cables…Yes i have bout i think 2 cheap cables but still, one of those lasted a freakin month! I just got a live wire cable that lasted about a month and a half and now its done… im taking them out and plugging them in by the metal connection piece, i promise! I just don’t know why they keep going bad… ANYWAY MY QUESTION IS:
I have gone through probably about 5 cables in the past year for my bass guitar, and i can’t think of anything im doing that is ruining these cables…Yes i have bout i think 2 cheap cables but still, one of those lasted a freakin month! I just got a live wire cable that lasted about a month and a half and now its done… im taking them out and plugging them in by the metal connection piece, i promise! I just don’t know why they keep going bad… ANYWAY MY QUESTION IS:
What recommendations do you guys have for a QUALITY, RELIABLE CABLE that gives you a good sound, good WARRANTY, at least 10 FEET (or more) for my ibanez gsr200 bass guitar? ( I have a fender rumble amp if that makes any difference, 60 watts)
NOW before you go off on the “monster special bass” cables and these 50 dollar cables, ill say this, 35 dollars and under.
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Ye man, that sucks, IDK what to tell you, I’ve used really cheap cables for a long time and don’t change often, Live Wire cables are a favorite of my friends and he has only gone through at the most 5 in 3 years.
monster cables….they are cheaper on line, and have a lifetime warranty, so they replace them free.
I’ve been playing bass 15 years and monster turns out cheaper because you can replace it as many times as they mess up.
Sounds like you’re rockin’ too hard. The sheer power of your rumbling bass groove is wearing your cables. No matter how much you spend on a cable, if you don’t stop rocking so ferociously, you’re cables are going to wear out in a matter of weeks.
Also, take your $35. Put it in your pocket. Wait until you have $15 more. Put that in you pocket, too. Then buy the monster.
Many fine cables cost less than the pro-series Monster or Mogami lines.
Both Monster and Mogami offer less expensive models.
Other good brands are Horizon, Pro-co, Planet Waves, Di-Marzio.
George L’s are really good!
The reasons pro cables cost more are not always visible or even audible in most situations. The “pro” cables use super-high-grade wire, robust internal shielding and heavy-duty wrapping. They also have pro-grade connectors and strain relief. The connectors and strain relief are more important for preventing failure.
How you use the cord is crucial!
Before you plug the cable into your guitar, place the end between your guitar and the strap. GENTLY pull a few extra inches of extra length through the space, and then insert the cable. Likewise, put the other end through the handle on your amp, BEFORE you plug it into the input. These measures prevent you from pulling the fragile ends of the cable directly. By itself, this strategy prevents half the chances for premature failure.
Do not step on your cables. Especially, do not let heavy equipment (amps and cases) roll over your cables. That damages the internal shielding, the wires, the protective wrap, and crushes the cables reducing sonic performance.
WRAP CABLES CAREFULLY!
Many cable failures occur when the cable is NOT being used! If you carelessly toss cables into a box with other gear, (especially metal parts like pedals, drum hardware, mics etc.) you can virtually guarantee an eventual failure.
Instead, GENTLY coil your precious cables.
Do not wrap them around your forearm like a rope.
Do not wrap them too tightly.
Do not “tie” the cable to itself to prevent tangling.
Instead, use Plastic or Velcro “ties” made specifically for that purpose. You can also use cotton twine or cheap wire wraps of the kind commonly found with garbage bags.
Do not JAM your cables together with other cables or anything else!
Carefully place your properly-coiled cable in your guitar case (if it has room) or in your gig bag. Use the separate large pouch made for cables. Do not crush it together in a pouch with other stuff.
As a professional, I have had good luck with all of these brands and techniques mentioned. Of course, NO CABLE will last forever. With these reasonable practices, I have found most high-quality cables last for YEARS, even DECADES!
Cheap cables, (like the First-Act junk from Wal Mart or those “free” cables that come with beginner “starter-packs”) will not last no matter what. In addition, those super-cheap cables really do suck tone.
Most of the subtle differences between super-high-end cables and normal cables are lost in noisy environments, through cheap amateur amps, or in loud raucous music. Don’t get me wrong, I like some raucous music! But unless, you are playing classical, Jazz or sophisticated finger style guitar into a professional amp or PA in a quiet acoustically accurate room ( like a recording studio) you are unlikely to notice much difference. True, professionals can hear and “feel” a difference. However, VERY FEW of your audience will ever notice.
I must take a moment to mention George L’s cables…
These things have been around far longer than the new premium brands. For my money, they are the best value. They sound great! They are not ridiculously overpriced.
The other premium cable makers spend a ton on advertising… especially Monster. Mogami has been the “industry standard” for recording studios for years, so they do not have to hype too much. Monster is a fine product, but just look at any music magazine. You will see where your money goes… advertising.
The brand “George L’s” is somewhat of an “insider’s secret” product. We professionals have used these things for decades with NO problems. They deliver pristine quality. The cable itself is thinner, but NOT because the cable is cheap. It is super-fine and well made. The advantage of thinner cable is it is much easier to handle. It fits into your case or bag easily, which by itself helps prevent damage.
There is another HUGE advantage to George L’s. They are “field-repairable.” You do not need a soldering gun to fix a George L if it does get broken. If some drunk trips over your S#!+ on stage, or a disgruntled roadie throws your cable into the drummer’s trap case, NOTHING can guarantee ANY cable will survive. This is where George L’s shine!
They use a “solder less” connection. That means you can repair the cable (at the end where most failures occur) at the gig or “in the field.” All it takes is a little screwdriver and anything that cuts: box-cutter, pocketknife, scissors, your girlfriend’s teeth…
You just snip off the end, unscrew and replace the heavy-duty solid plug, screw the connector on…. Bodda-Bing! …you’re back in business. The whole process takes just seconds. I have actually done it while singing, and finished in time to play a solo after the second chorus!
Therefore, if you do not use the junk cables (like those Chinese give-aways) you do not have to spend a fortune.
You can have good sound from Horizon, Pro-Co, Fender, Hosa, Di-Marzio, Planet waves etc. (Di-Marzio is probably my favorite brand in this type of cable.)
Look for good strain relief at the ends. Most cable failures happen at the ends because of stress at those crucial connections.
You CAN repair most of those cables too, though not as quickly as George L’s. You need a soldering gun, some skill and some time. Those things are not available when you are in creative throes in your garage or on the gig.
For several decades, George L’s have been the choice of working Professional Players. They are not cheap, but they are definitely NOT overpriced. George L does not have to spend a fortune on hype because we all know they are the best value.
Take proper care of your cables! Put ends through your guitar strap and amp handle. Don’t play jump rope with ‘em and wrap ‘em right!
You should be OK if you follow this advice.
Proper wrapping technique is critical. Yes thats right… wrapping the cable around your elbow and hand is not proper cable care. This video explains proper technique better than I can.
I also suggest Monster Cables however they do not fit properly in every instrument. Their jacks are know to be just a bit bigger.