Instrument & Speaker Cable Question

[glfan]

Trying to get all in order before the Comp arrives. I think I have read all the threads relating to cables here, but I have a quick question. What brand is everyone using for their instrument, patch & speaker cables? I have no preference but want a clear signal. Read on here that people are using Mogami, Voodoo & others. I have a 15' Lava cable, but they have doubled in price since I bought mine. Any suggestions will be appreciated as I will need to buy all new cables. I only have cheap stuff now for the PodXT & Tech 21 gear I currently own.

Thanks! ;D

[SonicExplorer]

You can't go wrong with Voodoo or Mogami. Mogami can sound a bit more "hi-fi" if you aren't already accustomed to using high-end cables. Voodoo are really good but they are overpriced IMO. At least you are doing the smart thing and buying everything at once so you won't get killed on shipping (that's a big reason the Voodoos aren't affordable...if you got to buy just one cable you get killed on S+H charges).

[glfan]

^Thanks for the info Sonic! I will probably buy the package deal from Voodoo & add a couple of patch cables for the multi-effects unit. Trace was very helpful when I was contemplating buying the 10 watt Voodoo Witchdoctor combo. He answered all my dumb questions & responded very quickly.

[jaymes]

What about the George L cables? I was thinking about trying those...

[Ayton(e)]

George L is what I keep hearing about.

Got to be wary of snake oil with the cable industry. Lately I like the idea, can't remember if it was suggested here or Jemsite, of just buying a big reel of something good, Mogami or Canare or whatever, and a batch of Neutrik jacks, and just making up whatever cables I need, whenever, rather than shopping around listening to the bullsh!t.

[gtrwun]

I have to interject something Ive been thinking about lately. I've spent what I consider a good chunk of dough on some nice cables......played George L's for many years, and recently bought some nice Lava cables. You know what? It still sounds like me playing! Seriously......I mean, I'm sure it makes a small difference, especially if your playing super cheapo crap cables, but in the long run I'm not sure how much this kind of audiophile anal stuff really matters. Did Hendrix use Mogami cables? How about Eddie? Nope, they used what was available at the time, and most of us still marvel at the tones they produced for their time. Food for thought.

[VomHalen]

gtrwun said:

I have to interject something Ive been thinking about lately. I've spent what I consider a good chunk of dough on some nice cables......played George L's for many years, and recently bought some nice Lava cables. You know what? It still sounds like me playing! Seriously......I mean, I'm sure it makes a small difference, especially if your playing super cheapo crap cables, but in the long run I'm not sure how much this kind of audiophile anal stuff really matters. Did Hendrix use Mogami cables? How about Eddie? Nope, they used what was available at the time, and most of us still marvel at the tones they produced for their time. Food for thought.

EXACTLY...just get a good cable and don't worry about it

[SonicExplorer]

This is one of those subjects I can speak to from MUCH MUCH painful experience. Yes, there are some snake-oil salesman when it comes to cables. But cables can and do play a huge role in the tone. The concept of "transparent" is very misleading because all cables color the sound to a degree. And it's that coloring which determines weather we like a cable or not. So one person may like one cable, and another person hate it.

Trust me, I'll save you a TON of trouble if you stick to the following basics:

Voodoo makes great cables across the board, both instrument and speaker.
Mogami is great also but if you are not already accustomed to high-end cables you may find them too sterile/hi-fi sounding for guitar.
Monster.... stay away from them. They color the sound too much in my opinion, fail regularly and worse yet have oversized jacks that will eventually wear most plugs.
George L's....great for short lenghts just to connect gear in racks or between pedals, but not for other purposes. They tend to color the sound to bright and don't hold up so great as instrument cables.

I've testing HOARDS of cables over the years, many of them side by side.....just follow the above advice and you can't go wrong. And none of the above will cost you a fortune either.

Sonic

[jaymes]

Thanks so much for the input, guys...that's why I love coming here because I learn a lot. Your experience and intelligent posts are much appreciated!

[TuskerKevin]

sonicexplorer said:

This is one of those subjects I can speak to from MUCH MUCH painful experience. Yes, there are some snake-oil salesman when it comes to cables. But cables can and do play a huge role in the tone. The concept of "transparent" is very misleading because all cables color the sound to a degree. And it's that coloring which determines weather we like a cable or not. So one person may like one cable, and another person hate it.

Trust me, I'll save you a TON of trouble if you stick to the following basics:

Voodoo makes great cables across the board, both instrument and speaker.
Mogami is great also but if you are not already accustomed to high-end cables you may find them too sterile/hi-fi sounding for guitar.
Monster.... stay away from them. They color the sound too much in my opinion, fail regularly and worse yet have oversized jacks that will eventually wear most plugs.
George L's....great for short lenghts just to connect gear in racks or between pedals, but not for other purposes. They tend to color the sound to bright and don't hold up so great as instrument cables.

I've testing HOARDS of cables over the years, many of them side by side.....just follow the above advice and you can't go wrong. And none of the above will cost you a fortune either.

Sonic

Hi-

Which VooDoo page?...I am a little confused........but that is nothing new.

[glfan]

tusker said:

sonicexplorer said:

This is one of those subjects I can speak to from MUCH MUCH painful experience. Yes, there are some snake-oil salesman when it comes to cables. But cables can and do play a huge role in the tone. The concept of "transparent" is very misleading because all cables color the sound to a degree. And it's that coloring which determines weather we like a cable or not. So one person may like one cable, and another person hate it.

Trust me, I'll save you a TON of trouble if you stick to the following basics:

Voodoo makes great cables across the board, both instrument and speaker.
Mogami is great also but if you are not already accustomed to high-end cables you may find them too sterile/hi-fi sounding for guitar.
Monster.... stay away from them. They color the sound too much in my opinion, fail regularly and worse yet have oversized jacks that will eventually wear most plugs.
George L's....great for short lenghts just to connect gear in racks or between pedals, but not for other purposes. They tend to color the sound to bright and don't hold up so great as instrument cables.

I've testing HOARDS of cables over the years, many of them side by side.....just follow the above advice and you can't go wrong. And none of the above will cost you a fortune either.

Sonic

Hi-

Which VooDoo page?...I am a little confused........but that is nothing new.

TuskerKevin,

Try this page: www.voodooamps.com/home/Products/AmplifiersHeadsCombos/5050PlatinumSeriesCables/tabid/87/Default.aspx

I plan on ordering the package deal plus some patch cables.

[TuskerKevin]

Thanks man!

[SonicExplorer]

TuskerKevin, sorry for not responding earlier, I simply missed your question...

I haven't tried the new power cable Voodoo is alleging improves the tone/feel of an amp. That power cable comes as part of the combo-pack, so if one of you guys get it, please do a quick A/B comparison against your previous power cable and report back if it actually changes anything...

Sonic

[benzesp]

Mogami cable is the way. I make all my cables and mogami and Neutrik 1/4" jacks are the way to go. I used to have this crazy TriAxis rack rig with a 8 channel loop switcher and a billion cables. I cabled it with George L's and was really dissapointed by the result not to mention being over 200 dollars lighter.After checking my cables and just being unimpressed I went back to my Mogami and switchcraft cables. The George L's ended up as patch cables in my home studio. Lesson: dont believe the hype.

Speaker cables? Dunno, Ive been using the same Peavey speaker cables for like 10 years.
'

[Ayton(e)]

Where do you get the Mogami raw like that? I'd like to make my own.