Instrument Cables

[John Matrix]

Which cables do you find are the best value? Durability, price, and low noise are concerns.

[Soundmasterg]

My favorites of the ones I have used are Whirlwind Leader cables.....I bought all of mine over 15 years ago and have never had a problem. They all have a lifetime warranty too. I got them from Manny's Music through one of their catalogs, but I'm not sure if anyone still sells them. GC and Musicians Friend sell Monster cable which really sux IMHO. I've had lots of problems with their cables failiing, and sure you can return them for free and get another, but who wants to support a company like Monster who goes around suing anyone and everyone who uses Monster in their company name? There are a lot of designer cables that have come out in the last 15 years that you could try too...like George L for instance. I've never felt the need but you might.

Greg

[stanner]

i feel pretty lucky-found some SUNN speaker cables on the bay along time ago. they are probably fender vintage but what the hell-they got the logo at both ends-so, thats cool.
i find that for basic needs-GuitarCenter. but the more you pay the quieter they get. and of course my favs are the grey curlys i have from radioshack circa the 80s. the ones Stevie R V. made Caesar Diaz go find for him.

[pickinatit]

Just for the record:

Monster cables get dissed a lot, but I've had Monster Cables, both Instrument and  Speaker cables  for three or four years now that I haven't had a single problem with.
(I also have what seems to be a pretty heavy-duty Sunn cable that I got with the purchase of my Sunn 1200S hybrid.  I'd love to have four or five more of them).

[HRobert]

I've had very good luck with cables from ProCo Sound.....speaker, microphone and instrument.  Check out their web site  ProCoSound.com

[D.M.N.]

My favorites are Vox curly cables. They have the right angled jack which is great for instruments with their jacks on top (Precision bass, Jazz Bass, SG Bass). Plus, they come in some cool colours (I have a clear one). I got mine thrown in with a bass I bought about two years ago (maybe more?), and it's been the only instrument cable I've used since then, which equates to A LOT of use. It's only this past week given me a few crackles, but nothing too severe. That's my recommendation.

[John Matrix]

thanks for all the tips guys. I'm thinking that for now at least, monster cables and similarly priced solutions are too pricy. I might go for the Pro-Co ones since they are available on the cheap at the shop near my house.

Although I should get at least one of those flashy coil cables just for fun.

[Walt-Dogg]

Although I should get at least one of those flashy coil cables just for fun.

Always.

Like D.M.N. I've got a Vox coil cable, it's white though. They're pretty good quality, a bit pricey though $34 or so for a 9m cable.

[D.M.N.]

Yeah, they're a bit pricey, but I just checked out the Bullet Coil Cords, and they're between $39 and $42 for about the same length (bit shorter). Either way, I'll never return to normal cords again. Coil Cords are cool looking, and they don't get tangled up in everything.

[pickinatit]

Yeah, they're a bit pricey, but I just checked out the Bullet Coil Cords, and they're between $39 and $42 for about the same length (bit shorter). Either way, I'll never return to normal cords again. Coil Cords are cool looking, and they don't get tangled up in everything.

Wait until two or three of them meet one another in the bottom of your "tote-bag"  and THEN  say that...LOL

[loudthud]

Coil cords don't break the pickguard on your Precision Bass.

[John Matrix]

Something about black coil cables matches the red knob solid state amps so perfectly. I feel like I'm playing guitar on the death star or something.

[D.M.N.]

Yeah, they're a bit pricey, but I just checked out the Bullet Coil Cords, and they're between $39 and $42 for about the same length (bit shorter). Either way, I'll never return to normal cords again. Coil Cords are cool looking, and they don't get tangled up in everything.

Wait until two or three of them meet one another in the bottom of your "tote-bag"  and THEN  say that...LOL

Actually, the Vox ones all come with their own little mesh cloth bag, so you just stuff them in that, toss them in a tote-bag, and Bob's your U.N.C.L.E.

[HRobert]

thanks for all the tips guys. I'm thinking that for now at least, monster cables and similarly priced solutions are too pricy. I might go for the Pro-Co ones since they are available on the cheap at the shop near my house.

Although I should get at least one of those flashy coil cables just for fun.

Regarding ProCo cables; Don't let the price fool ya.  I used their cables on the road for quite a few years and never had one problem with them...of course it's also in how you take care of them.  I always wound them in nice loose coils about 12"-14" in diameter...speaker and mic cables.