| Author |
Topic: New instrument cable versus new pickup |
David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 10:57 am |
|
| This is my particular experience. I have been playing my Sierra 8 thru a Roland Cube 30 and wasn't satisfied with the mushy sound and liked the sound of my Melobar and Dickerson better. Then by chance I used an old cord that I got in the 70's that is like the George L cable with the screw on ends. It made all the difference in the world. I was looking into getting a new single coil for my Sierra but after using that one cable(I have since gotten some George L's) I find that I am perfectly satisfied with the pickup sound now. I tried all my many cables and only the George L type gave me the right sound. |
|
|
|
Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 3:09 pm
|
|
I have to agree that cables can effect your tone in a dramatic way. It's not your imagination as some would lead you to believe. If you take the time you can clearly hear improvements by auditioning higher end cables. I've found that George L cables have a clear and very bright sound which may have been just the improvement you were looking for.
My favorite cable is made by Evidence Audio. A bit more expensive but well worth the investment. Evidence Audio cables are clear and rich sounding. They are not overly bright, and they enhance string separation. They also remove muddiness by tightening up the bass and giving it more punch.[This message was edited by Mitch Druckman on 31 January 2006 at 10:24 PM.] |
|
|
|
John D. Carter
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 3:25 pm
|
|
| This is interesting information, something that I would not have predicted. Are there any electronic engineers out there who might offer a credible explanation? No doubt has something to do with electrical resistance.? |
|
|
|
Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 3:32 pm
|
|
| Capacitance. |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 8:12 pm
|
|
| What Jim said. |
|
|
|
Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 10:24 pm
|
|
| Yes, low capacitance cable will sound better than higher capacitance cable, but signal phase is also critical. High frequencies travel faster through your cable than low frequencies. Depending on the cable design, different parts of your signal can reach your amp at different times causing frequencies to cancel each other out. Capacitance and phase are only 2 of many design considerations that an engineer must make. Purity of materials. Low impedance. Grounding techniques. Types of metal for conductors. Shielding. Connectors and choice of solder. The list goes on. Cable design has become very sophisticated and is worthy of some serious listening. |
|
|
|
Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
|
Posted 31 Jan 2006 11:20 pm
|
|
| All that is true but is much more pertinent to speaker cable than to guitar cable, since electric guitars and steels produce a relatively narrow band of frequencies compared to a full mix of instrumentation from amp mains to speakers, and discussions of speaker cable is where all these points usually come up. For electric guitar or steel to amp cable, a high-quality coax cable with low capacitance per foot, low resistance and good shielding will give you a better sound than the average stuff you buy in the store, it also won't be as flexible as the store stuff but since steel players don't as a rule do much running around on stage while playing, that's not a concern for steel players although for some regular guitar players without wirelesses, it seems to be. |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 1 Feb 2006 5:48 am
|
|
For the past six months I've been using Lava Cables for my steel and standard guitars.
They are built like a tank, sound incredible and are produced by a "mom and pop" company.
Check out their website and reasonable prices: http://www.lavacable.com/
I previously used George L's and liked their sound but gave up on them due to two issues.
1. They always "broke" at the wrong time. Like on-stage.
2. Once you get a crimp in them it's there for life. They look like crap after awhile. The plastic coating on the cable is not flexible enough.
------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
|
|
|
|
David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
|
Posted 1 Feb 2006 7:00 am
|
|
| Thanks guys for the replies. |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 1 Feb 2006 5:27 pm
|
|
| Doggone it Gerald, Lava missed your name on the prominent people list who use thier cables!!! I'll give them a call. |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 1 Feb 2006 5:49 pm
|
|
I ordered a 6'er as soon as I saw Gerald recommend them ...
------------------
|
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado/ Lives in Arizona
|
Posted 2 Feb 2006 6:10 am
|
|
Gerald is listed in the "and others" part...
These look nice and I will try one myself but why are only right angles available? I sense a conspiracy...
|
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
