Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Tim on June 07, 2005, 09:19:22 PM

Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Tim on June 07, 2005, 09:19:22 PM
What's everyone using for guitar to amp cable?

I've been using Monster for the past 2 years but find they go microphonic after a bit of abuse...............anyone got better suggestions?
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 07, 2005, 09:34:37 PM
Heard good reports about Pete Cornish cables - even you shouldn't be able to kill them.... :wink:
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: bucketshred on June 07, 2005, 09:57:18 PM
Uber cheap cables and uber cheap patch cables.  It's terrible I know but I can't afford anything, damn car insurance/parents birthdays.

Andy!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 07, 2005, 10:34:26 PM
Anybody find a way to stop george Ls from knotting up? great cable, but I'm tied to the amp at the end of a gig!!

Andy! - if you use non true bypass pedals, try and get one decent lead to run to the first pedal in the chain, that will have the most effect. Affter your signal has been through a buffer, differences in cables are less dramatic!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: 38thBeatle on June 07, 2005, 11:05:42 PM
Whirlwind and Planet Waves but I do have some cheap Fender patch cables for fx and I suppose they become the weak link. I should be more fussy but I sometimes I just go for cheapness I am sorry to say. I have a mate who is a session man and is always nagging me about cheap cables I know he is right.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: steve on June 07, 2005, 11:27:31 PM
Dimarzio cables are wicked, best ive tried anyway.They have a lot more bottom end definition and clarity and dont get tangled up easy.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: March on June 08, 2005, 12:25:05 AM
I am currently using M C Electronics cables, made for me by Tony Iommi's guitar tech no less!  8)

Not exactly cheap but they are good enough for Mr. Iommi and Iron Maiden, so I guess I'll make do!  :)

They provide fantastic tone, are built like tanks and work out to be pretty well priced (around £30 for a 20 ft cable).
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Tim on June 08, 2005, 08:06:15 AM
Quote from: March
I am currently using M C Electronics cables, made for me by Tony Iommi's guitar tech no less!  8)

Not exactly cheap but they are good enough for Mr. Iommi and Iron Maiden, so I guess I'll make do!  :)

They provide fantastic tone, are built like tanks and work out to be pretty well priced (around £30 for a 20 ft cable).


Where do you get them from?
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Tim on June 08, 2005, 08:08:05 AM
Quote
Anybody find a way to stop george Ls from knotting up? great cable, but I'm tied to the amp at the end of a gig!!

I have this problem with Monster too, damn stuff works up my legs, gets in a huge knot etc etc :shock:  :gib:  :minigun:  :chain:  :rip:  :bio:  :trans:  :snipe:  :rock:  :tfrag:
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: PhilKing on June 08, 2005, 08:16:53 AM
I have the Fender Carver cable (sold as Febnder tone pro cable).  I replaced my Monster with this.  Compared to the monster it is a bit more open and seems to let more harmonics through.  The biggest problem though, other than the price ($90 for 18ft),  is the diameter (over 1cm), the cable is like having a multicore to your guitar!  Since I don't gig anymore, I can't tell you the abuse factor for it.

There was a survey of cables done in Vintage Guitar in the States about 2 years ago.  They rated cables for tone, suitability to different music and this came out as a best buy for rock.  

For some old blues stuff I like the older cable with its inbuilt treble reduction due to capacitance  :crzy:  The problem with alll the old cables is noise though (remember coiled cables anyone  :? )

Total Guitar reviewed the Zaolla cable in the June issue.  It uses silver conductors, rather than the copper of most cables.  I haven't heard this but they gave it 4 stars and said it was a dramatic improvement in tone.  Also the distributor is giving a 10 day free trial for it (01579 326155).
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 08, 2005, 08:22:31 AM
You can make your own from milatary surplus silver teflon wire. It's about $20 for 100 foot, sounds pretty good, strong. It's a bit microphonic though, so best if you sit down! Wired my studio with it. A lot of Hifi cables use it.

For a laugh, phone up Russ Andrews in Cumbria and ask for their cables for musicians book, guitar cable for £1000 anyone??
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Ratrod on June 08, 2005, 11:28:02 AM
I have a Klotz and a Cordial. Tone wise they're pretty good. The Klotz is noisy when you flap it around. I should get me one of those monster cables with that cloth wound around them.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 08, 2005, 11:30:03 AM
Klotz is my favorite off the peg cable, you can do a semi balanced wiring job on the mic cable, and it sounds very good. Doesn't kink either! The mic cable isn't too bad for handling noise either.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: jt on June 08, 2005, 08:25:04 PM
:guitar4: Hi Tim if its any use to ya i`m using Planet Waves leads i gig 1 - 2 times a week but i don`t run around  whist playing. The planet waves leads appear to be durable. mine are gold tipped or maybe its brass they really hold & convey the Tone/sound very nicley. if your running around on stage Tim why not use a wireless system ?
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 08, 2005, 08:37:04 PM
Tim and wireless don't mix.....

I've also not found a really good one that sounds as good as even an average cable. Even tried things like the Radial Dragster to sort it out. Cables just sound better. And you can trip the singer with them :twisted:  :twisted:
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Ratrod on June 08, 2005, 09:37:12 PM
Wireless can be a lot of fun. I still have this fantasy of going to the back of the venue and duckwalking over the bar. Especially in small clubs, pubs etc. it can be a lot of fun getting down with the audience on the dance floor. The chicks dig it! :D
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: maliciousteve on June 08, 2005, 09:56:04 PM
Planet Waves  :D
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: March on June 08, 2005, 10:08:18 PM
Quote from: Ratrod
Wireless can be a lot of fun. I still have this fantasy of going to the back of the venue and duckwalking over the bar. Especially in small clubs, pubs etc. it can be a lot of fun getting down with the audience on the dance floor. The chicks dig it! :D


There is a band in the UK called 'The Hamsters'. Not only are they one of the best blues/rock bands on the scene, they have a little wireless trick they perform on the final song the guitarist/bass player come out into the audience whilst soloing. In the middle of the audience they meet and swap instruments and make there way back up to the stage. Then the drummer swaps with the guitarist who at this point has the bass, once the drummer has the bass the guitarist transfers himself to the drums!  8)  :)

Also saw a lot of a UK metal act called 'The Warning' in the late 80's. The first time I saw them live the lead guitarist took the solo for the first song from the car park!  :!:
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 08, 2005, 10:16:27 PM
Quote from: March
Quote from: Ratrod
Wireless can be a lot of fun. I still have this fantasy of going to the back of the venue and duckwalking over the bar. Especially in small clubs, pubs etc. it can be a lot of fun getting down with the audience on the dance floor. The chicks dig it! :D


There is a band in the UK called 'The Hamsters'. Not only are they one of the best blues/rock bands on the scene, they have a little wireless trick they perform on the final song the guitarist/bass player come out into the audience whilst soloing. In the middle of the audience they meet and swap instruments and make there way back up to the stage. Then the drummer swaps with the guitarist who at this point has the bass, once the drummer has the bass the guitarist transfers himself to the drums!  8)  :)

Also saw a lot of a UK metal act called 'The Warning' in the late 80's. The first time I saw them live the lead guitarist took the solo for the first song from the car park!  :!:


We had Slim from the Hamsters on teh BKP stand at the LGS, he was trying Apaches! He was out of his cage after hearing them...
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: March on June 08, 2005, 11:22:07 PM
Quote from: HJM
Quote from: March
Quote from: Ratrod
Wireless can be a lot of fun. I still have this fantasy of going to the back of the venue and duckwalking over the bar. Especially in small clubs, pubs etc. it can be a lot of fun getting down with the audience on the dance floor. The chicks dig it! :D


There is a band in the UK called 'The Hamsters'. Not only are they one of the best blues/rock bands on the scene, they have a little wireless trick they perform on the final song the guitarist/bass player come out into the audience whilst soloing. In the middle of the audience they meet and swap instruments and make there way back up to the stage. Then the drummer swaps with the guitarist who at this point has the bass, once the drummer has the bass the guitarist transfers himself to the drums!  8)  :)

Also saw a lot of a UK metal act called 'The Warning' in the late 80's. The first time I saw them live the lead guitarist took the solo for the first song from the car park!  :!:


We had Slim from the Hamsters on teh BKP stand at the LGS, he was trying Apaches! He was out of his cage after hearing them...


He would be a great convert - plus a Van Zandt scalp! The guy has a fantastic tone though, although I do not like the tone of that Hot Rails in his main axe. The moment he switches to the Hendrix guitar with the Pearly Gates there is a massive difference, it's far more open and you can really hear the dynamics. But then again, who am I to criticise :?:  Anyone who can play and sing the way he does, plus solo like a demon.... bah, the man is just a great, great guitarist and a damn nice bloke too.

I once expressed an interest in buying an Engl off him. He offered to drive it up to Cheltenham (where I was living at the time) and let me use it for a week! Trouble was, I was just heading out the door to Germany (Kolsch drinking session!).   :(
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Tim on June 09, 2005, 08:09:33 AM
Quote
We had Slim from the Hamsters on teh BKP stand at the LGS, he was trying Apaches! He was out of his cage after hearing them...
___________
Groan................. :lol:
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 09, 2005, 08:31:15 AM
Sorry..... :P
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: dooogz on June 09, 2005, 08:35:38 AM
tell you wats more imortant - the fact that i came to the BKP at LGS!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 09, 2005, 08:47:58 AM
Quote from: dooogz
tell you wats more imortant - the fact that i came to the BKP at LGS!


It's important that everyone gets to come and try out the BKP tone! :P
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: dooogz on June 09, 2005, 06:54:43 PM
i didnt get to try lol, i just said hi to timmy then made a run - caught the hamsters briefly then home!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on June 10, 2005, 07:42:18 AM
Quote from: dooogz
i didnt get to try lol, i just said hi to timmy then made a run - caught the hamsters briefly then home!


Probably why I can't remember you....

Come to Music Live! and abuse Tim's JCMs
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: The amazing Phil on June 10, 2005, 08:19:14 PM
Planet Waves, good cable and a lifetime garauntee so if it stops working I'll just get another. £25 for 20 feet of cable that can never die aint bad I reckon!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Ratrod on June 10, 2005, 11:18:11 PM
Quote from: The amazing Phil
Planet Waves, good cable and a lifetime garauntee so if it stops working I'll just get another. £25 for 20 feet of cable that can never die aint bad I reckon!


Klotz also has a lifetime garauntee (except the plugs, reed the small print).
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: carlaz on September 12, 2005, 02:50:29 PM
Just reviving this thread instead of starting a whole new one ....

I've gotta get some new cables (killed one by treading on it at rehersal last week, and picked up a cheap Venom just to keep me going in the meantime).  Ideally I'd like to use the same cables for home and gigging, as well as for guitar and bass.  I see some manufacturers (like Monster) make different cables for basses than for guitars (or claim they're different).  All right, I can imagine there might be some little significance here, but does this really matter that much?

The Planet Waves leads and patch cables seem to be decently thought of and readily available, so that might just do the job.  Any further thoughts?
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: HJM on September 12, 2005, 03:42:37 PM
My view is every little helps - but it's less important thn a good amp, great pickups and guitar. There's a huge difference from cheap £5-10 cables up to £20 Planet Waves, Whirlwind, George L, after that it gets subjecive.

If you've weaked your setup amp, fx and guitar to the max, then it might be time to think of cables and the mains you use.  If you're not at that point try the three above and see if you can hear a difference, and go with what you prefer. I like the bright lively quality of George Ls, but that's not to say you will!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: carlaz on September 12, 2005, 04:35:16 PM
I know the guitar wants new pickups :) but since I busted one of my cables anyway (and the patch cables on the stomp boxes are horrible old things), I figured I ought to think about this sorta thing.  The price range of the PWs, Whirlwinds, etc. seems reasonable; not cheapo cr@p but not something you'll weep over when it's crushed by something crushing it at a gig. :)

Otherwise, yeah, there's more to do: Guitar wants new machine heads, I think, but that's another thread.  Maybe I'll get a fret dress done when I get someone to install pickups, too. Oh, and I need to get my fingers replaced with ones that know what they're doing.  Otherwise I'll have to practice!  :oops:

As for amps .... a painful topic for me!  Someday there may be space for real amps, but I think I'm looking at the heretical world of amp simulation for the forseeable future.  I kinda like what I've heard from the PODxts, but I don't like that they don't seem to make something with both bass and guitar sims in the same box.  Still, improvements in amp sim stuff are bound to keep rolling out.  Either way with amps or amp sims, I'm looking for quietness and smallness almost as much as tone!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Johnny Mac on September 12, 2005, 08:10:28 PM
Quote from: March
Quote from: Ratrod
Wireless can be a lot of fun. I still have this fantasy of going to the back of the venue and duckwalking over the bar. Especially in small clubs, pubs etc. it can be a lot of fun getting down with the audience on the dance floor. The chicks dig it! :D


There is a band in the UK called 'The Hamsters'. Not only are they one of the best blues/rock bands on the scene, they have a little wireless trick they perform on the final song the guitarist/bass player come out into the audience whilst soloing. In the middle of the audience they meet and swap instruments and make there way back up to the stage. Then the drummer swaps with the guitarist who at this point has the bass, once the drummer has the bass the guitarist transfers himself to the drums!  8)  :)

Also saw a lot of a UK metal act called 'The Warning' in the late 80's. The first time I saw them live the lead guitarist took the solo for the first song from the car park!  :!:


I've seen the Hamsters do that trick, it's good fun.

Ok this might seem like a tall top that story but it's true! I saw a local covers band once in a pub in Enfield Town called The Cunning Stunts and the Bass Player took a piss mid song as his wireless trick!!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Johnny Mac on September 12, 2005, 08:13:05 PM
Quote from: HJM
Quote from: dooogz
tell you wats more imortant - the fact that i came to the BKP at LGS!


It's important that everyone gets to come and try out the BKP tone! :P


I had a go on the Tims LP (see pic in gallery) with the Miracle Man set and nearly passed out!

P.s I'm using Pihranas. They seem ok.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: rinse_master on September 14, 2005, 03:09:43 PM
I have a Pirahna cable, about 20ft I think, I've had it about 4 or 5 years and it still works fine.
Title: Cables
Post by: Bob Johnson on September 14, 2005, 05:53:24 PM
For real broadcast quality try Van Damme. They're 99.9999something%OFC and if you buy them online they're about £20 for 10m leads with Neutric connectors. The band I'm in use Van Damme exclusively (mainly 'cos our lead guitar is a pathalogical perfectionist recording engineer) and they're really really good; their mic leads are also excellent, they can make a old shagged out SM58 sound OK..
Title: Re: Cables
Post by: HJM on September 14, 2005, 09:59:35 PM
Quote from: Bob Johnson
For real broadcast quality try Van Damme. They're 99.9999something%OFC and if you buy them online they're about £20 for 10m leads with Neutric connectors. The band I'm in use Van Damme exclusively (mainly 'cos our lead guitar is a pathalogical perfectionist recording engineer) and they're really really good; their mic leads are also excellent, they can make a old shagged out SM58 sound OK..


+1 I use Van Damme for a lot of stuff at work - gives Klotz a good run for it's money!
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: big steve on September 14, 2005, 10:04:43 PM
i have a cable that my uncle made (he does a lot of AV work and so forth) with van damme cable and some decent jacks, does the job nicely. and it was free :D
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: lepersmeesa on September 14, 2005, 10:09:02 PM
I would make a quick decision about Planet Waves cables quick. Have them forever, or never use them. If you havent noticed the planet waves cable has  a slightly thicker jack which will make all other jacks feel loose in the socket.

Not cool.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: carlaz on September 16, 2005, 11:17:58 AM
I can find Planet Waves cables online real easy in the UK -- I'm having a harder time finding the likes of Van Damme and Klotz, unless it's just raw cable that I have to attach connectors to, and I dunno anything about making cables!  I just wanna buy a wire off the shelf and plug it in like a dummy :).  Anyone know any UK-based online outlets for the "sexier" VanDamme/Klotz/Piranha/Whatever cables all ready to go?  I guess Euro sellers would do, too ....
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Bob Johnson on September 16, 2005, 12:34:40 PM
Carlaz, you can get Van Damme (VDC) cables and loads of other makes from www.cpc.co.uk they are a huge electrical/electronics supplier so the website is a bit unwieldy.

The order codes you want are AV03136 and AV03137 for 3m or 5m leads.

If you have any probs let me know and I'll get them for you. Remember you have to add VAT and shipping to the prices shown.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: carlaz on September 16, 2005, 03:45:12 PM
Cool, thanks! I'll check it out :)
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: indysmith on September 17, 2005, 03:23:17 PM
i use piranha's - i don't know how good they are because they're all i ever use! one day i'll probably buy another cable and think what the hell have i been doing with such a rubbish cable for so long !?
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: nuntius on September 17, 2005, 10:20:59 PM
Got a 10 foot George L's for use at home the other day.. no complaints
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Tim on September 18, 2005, 07:51:53 AM
I use Ceorge Ls for all my board connections but I did find the thicker cable went microphonous after a few gigs, it's also got some sort of interior strengthening which makes it cling to your legs like a Boa constrictor :lol: .Although the Monster cable suffers the same Boa syndrome it does seem to last longer before the cable starts to go microphonous..........I make it sound like I trash my gear at gigs, I don't but it does get worked hard :wink:
I did some simple listening tests in the studio and George Ls does have a very audible improvement in high end clarity, especially over anything I could make myself using off the shelf parts like Neutric jacks and Klotz cable.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: carlaz on September 20, 2005, 11:46:34 AM
Well, I could always use sexy cables for home recording (where they're less likely to get trashed) and cheaper, less picky cables for gigs.  I'm mostly playing bass live these days, so no one can hear subtle differences anyway ;).  But hope to get my home set-up as pretty as possible.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: Ratrod on October 02, 2005, 09:10:25 PM
Just got me one of those Spectraflex cables. Very good clarity and zero noise. Very fancy looking gold plugs. Way better than the Klotz, IMHO.
Title: Umbilical cord
Post by: lulusg on October 03, 2005, 02:25:58 AM
Hi, I am using "Evidence Audio" Lyric HG cable.  That's www.evidenceaudio.com.