FOR GUITARISTS AND BASS PLAYERS: Monster or CBI?

August 28, 2013 | This Just In

[Paisan]

I prefer the Lee Oskar harmonica over the Hohner.

Of course, none of this matters if you aren’t master of your instrument...

[Paisan]

The things those clowns imagined they could hear

I hear ya man. Back in the 60’s & 70’s I subscribed to Stereo Review and High Fidelity and Audiophile mags, among others.

There was one ad for a speaker that was “designed just like the human ear...”

It was actually SHAPED like a human ear because, well, you know, what better shape to capture all of the subtleties and nuances of sound than .....wait for it....the human ear.

Being a young dude at the time, I didn’t “Get-It” about advertising, until I began to see a whole lot of ads for Tuners that utilized sexy babes in bikinis. They pretty much all used the same copy - Check out our ‘front-end’, or words to that effect...

[SteveH]

I have several switch-type planet wave cables that failed on me. i have never tried to collect on the lifetime warranty but it is a pain to do that, so the cables just sit around while some older non-name brand usa cables still work.

[doorgunner69]

You probably remember the "Audio Cheapskate" of Audiophile magazine that had everyone running around marking up the edges of their CDs with green felt pens, telling them is did magical things to the sound.

And then IIRC, the markers were found to be ruining the CDs and the "Cheapskate" crept off into exile and humiliation.

Lemmings got nothing on the audiophile true believers.

[This Just In]

Always matters, regardless whether you’re a master of your instrument or not. One does not become a master without first experimenting with their instruments/equipment/gear.

[ez]

I also have good luck with the live wires from mf. I have bought about a dozen and never broken one. They always disappear before they wear out. :(

[John S Mosby]

If you can find one... Elixir cables. Little to no capacitance loss over any length of cable. Proprietary cable that is patented. No metal core. W.L. Gore company pulled out of this market (they should have priced competetively).
Short story is that their biggest revenue from this type of cable is from top-secret application in submarines and other mil-spec applications. The signal on the line is not detectible so one is given to understand.

Elixir still makes coated strings, again the best and patented.

The line loss data on these cables is astonishing. You could use a 30 ft. cable and it would be like having only 2 feet of conventional cable for the line loss.

[John S Mosby]

Now that is some interesting info— and explains my having to re-wire some 1/4 inch female jacks that kept going loose and dropping signal. Use ProCables for bulk sourcing and make own— what I do.

[John S Mosby]

The number of “tone king” boutique amp ads is astounding. All of them touting 30 watt “super tone” and tweedy cabs. My
original Vox from 65 does just fine, and all the valves (tubes) are easily replaceable and the wiring tough as nails. Even the reverb spring.

[This Just In]

Thanks for the info., JSM

If you should ever find a resources for these cables, I’d appreciate the heads-up.

Best Regards,
TJI

[John S Mosby]

I should have bought a bunch, but could not afford them. You can’t really repair them. So very careful with the 30 footer I have. I don’t like them, but Guitar Center might have some somewhere. I paid a bunch as it is... want to say 80 or so.
Musician’s Friend is same company of course.

[John S Mosby]

They say they have this kind, 90 degree and straight plugs.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Elixir-Premium-Instrument-Cable-Straight-—Angled-333014-i1428305.gc

[John S Mosby]

No, I don’t work for them. Here’s WL Gore’s Elixir cable page with a youtube video on the specs.

For me this works. Mogami beat them on price in that high end stuff. But the specs and reality is what I studied and heard.

gonna grab another one for back-up.

http://www.elixirstrings.com/cables/elixir_cable_the_difference.html

[This Just In]

Thanks, JSM

You’re right. The price is pretty steep, but I’m considering it.

[John S Mosby]

Thing to do is tell them you found one for less. I can’t recall how/where I did, but the guy in store reduced it on site. But he was not the mgr. corporate guy. Place generally irks me, as they trade in “vintage” which they’ve ripped off someone for.. and they don’t repair stuff. Like a 60 Gibson J-45 or 50 with a damn split wooden bridge and a price didn’t reflect the cost of the repair that would have to be done. That kind of stuff. Sometimes you luck out with a decent soul.

You might be better off with something else so you can repair it if it separates, etc.

[Neidermeyer]

The “Monster Cable” importer used to be about 5 miles from my house,,, the parent company name was Recoton they owned at least a dozen electronic and “gadget” company names ,, all imported from China ,, used to be hilarious going through their outlet store on Lake Emma Rd. in Lk. Mary FL ,, seeing one product slightly tweaked in ways that made NO impact on performance just appearance tweaks.. and sold for anywhere from reasonable to outrageous shelf prices... they used to be the provider for most of the accessories at BBuy.

For my cabling I shop at “skycraft” a surplus dealer that buys mostly from area defense and custom short run manufacturers. Great prices on milspec stuff....

[This Just In]

Excellent info., JSM. I don’t care for Guitar Center, but we do shop there. We’re “why do you live here?!” rural. So, the closest legit music store, GC, is a few hrs. away.

Otherwise we order from Sweetwater, or other online music stores.

When we bought our last Monster Cable, I checked the “Made in...” The manufacturer sure doesn’t make it easy for you to find that piece of info. I was a little suspicious, but we need the cables for a recording session.

Thanks for you time and experience.

Best Regards,
TJI

[This Just In]

I hear ya, Neidermeyer. Back in the day, Monster Cables were the industry standard. As you pointed out, it’s not as good as other cables on the market as I discovered.

I’ve visited the skycraft site. Excellent inventory. Thank you.

Do you play professionally? How long have you used skycrafts cables?

Thanks for your time and input.

Best Regards,
TJI

[Neidermeyer]

I don’t play ... I repair electronics.

[John S Mosby]

Well, glad you live rural. Someday it may come to people trying to change “why do you live here?” to “why can ‘t we live here with you-— for free?” LOL.

Not only rural but “bug out” rural. A blessing.