Umbilical cord

[carlaz]

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!

[Johnny Mac]

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!!

[Johnny Mac]

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.

[rinse_master]

I have a Pirahna cable, about 20ft I think, I've had it about 4 or 5 years and it still works fine.

[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..

[HJM]

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!

[big steve]

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

[lepersmeesa]

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.

[carlaz]

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 ....

[Bob Johnson]

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.

[carlaz]

Cool, thanks! I'll check it out :)

[indysmith]

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 !?

[nuntius]

Got a 10 foot George L's for use at home the other day.. no complaints

[Tim]

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
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.

[carlaz]

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.