Cables

[tunghaichuan]

I'd never buy anything made by Monster. They have a history of suing anyone using the name "Monster," even those not in the musical instrument industry. Google monster cable lawsuits for more info.

I prefer to roll my own. Mainly because I'm a cheap, broke-a$$ mofo. :dance

 

[otaypanky]

Better or worse is probably not the case, instead 'different' describes what I have found with various cables. The Monster I thought was awful sounded fat and full when the guitar's volume pots were at max setting. They only sounded poorly to me at partial settings and were dark and muddy. My tastes are that when I roll down I want the tone to be clear so for me they were not a good choice. I typically don't use pedals so it's much more apparent than if I was going through a bunch of effects instead of relying on the guitar controls for variation in the sound.
On the other hand, I had one nice old Fender that a previous owner had installed a treble bleed. That guitar became way too shrill and sounded awful at partial volume when used with my favorite cables. But using the Monster it sounded great. I have since removed the treble bleed and it now sounds great with my favorite cables. So I guess it's all application.
I will say that Monster has great customer service. I had two cables break. The pin snapped off at the base on both of them. The people at Monster told me to exchange them locally and when I told them that no one around here carried them and also that the cables were 2 or 3 years old, they said no problem. They had me mail them back and sent me two new ones. That's really great service in my book :applause

 

[otaypanky]

Ch0jin, you shouldn't makes posts like the one above!
Now I know how knowledgeable you are about this stuff.
And you KNOW who I'm going to ask for help when I have a problem :agree

 

[deeaa]

The tones of the guitar heroes of yore that most try to achieve were created with TERRIBLE components. You think Hendrix had a friggin monster cable or even gave a **** as to what cable he used? What about Townshend.

Listen, I don't want to insult anyone but anyone who believes they are going to sound significantly better by spending big bucks on a cable is deluded. Same goes for those high $$$ boutique pedals, same goes for fill in the blank. Law of diminishing returns anyone?

Want to really improve your sound? Spend more time playing your instrument than wasting money on products purposely designed with outrageous hype in mind. These people are laughing all the way to the bank...

+1

 

[deeaa]

I've experimented with several cables from George L's, Monster, and the cheap yet decent (forgot the name) "house brand" with the blue end sleeves from GC, but my favorite by far are the Mogami 2524 cables with Neutrik Gold connectors.

While all cables in the chain can affect the quality of signal, the longest cable is what I'll spend more on.

I've read that super-low capacitance (below 30 pf) can sound too trebly and harsh, while higher capacitance (over 40 pf) cables can sound dull and lifeless.

Now THIS is what I relate to. Everything affects everything, and you _always_ should consider the big picture. Does it make sense to put hundreds of dollars in cables? No. Does it make sense to make sure you don't buy utter **** and make sure you use good quality where it matters the most? HELL YEAH!

 

[Beerman]

Listen, I don't want to insult anyone but anyone who believes they are going to sound significantly better by spending big bucks on a cable is deluded. Same goes for those high $$$ boutique pedals, same goes for fill in the blank. Law of diminishing returns anyone?

I certainly don't sound better just because of new cables but the quality of sound, based on what I mentioned in my previous posts, is definitely better. Who wants hum and noise? That detracts for the enjoyment of what I'm playing.
I didn't spend a buttload but I feel I have cables that will last me a very long time even and hopefully, won't need to use the lifetime warranty.

 

[stingx]

I certainly don't sound better just because of new cables but the quality of sound, based on what I mentioned in my previous posts, is definitely better. Who wants hum and noise? That detracts for the enjoyment of what I'm playing.
I didn't spend a buttload but I feel I have cables that will last me a very long time even and hopefully, won't need to use the lifetime warranty.

I have no hum and no noise and I don't but into these "specialty brand" cables that advertise the ridiculous. Whatever floats your boat, Chief.

Try collecting on that lifetime warranty that's advertised :rollover

Anyway, as I already stated I still use cables I purchased over 25 years ago. The reason why they lasted so long was because the connectors were made rock solid as was the soldering. The cables are supple and quite flexible so no kinks form in them. They were cheap then and, counting for inflation, still cheap now.

 

[Ch0jin]

Ch0jin, you shouldn't makes posts like the one above!
Now I know how knowledgeable you are about this stuff.
And you KNOW who I'm going to ask for help when I have a problem :agree

Haha, nah I don't know much more than the next guy, it's just that I studied electronic engineering as a trade and worked as an electronics tech for many years. Feel free to ask away though, I love to try and help people out, just don't ask me anything about actually -playing- guitar

 

[Duffy]

I have noticed significant audible differences between the cheap thin guitar cables packaged with cheap guitars, than with half way decent, thick as I can find without paying too much, cables by various mfg's.

I perceive a very distinct difference in sound between the two type cables mentioned above. They are absolutely not sonically equal in my experience.

Now these cables packaged with cheap guitars are very thin and look funky. Maybe we are not even considering these super cheap, junky cables in this comparison of the values of various cables, because they absolutely don't compare with half way decent cables.