capnj
165 posts
Sep 27, 2013
1:32 PM
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Their was Spade Ace Cooley,front stage,in all his splendor.Tailored purple suit,hundred dollar haircut,designer shades,1500 dollar amp,400 mike,just getting ready to bomb out.
Spade sings out some badass rock tunes,now while playing his harp intro blues number everybody could hear thin tone,and that evil crackling,popping sound of cutting out notes.Yes spade was freaking,fiddling with the mike,rushing to the amp cranking knobs.Another bargain bin cord bites the dust.
Awhile back our extraordinary moderator Nacoran put up a Who's in Business Post.I have used MP,Greg H,and soon Greg Jones.I ran across Mike Sommer GordoTone.com.Perused his beautiflly crafted cables,and took the plunge.Bought me two 18fters,Black and Red with a switchcraft harp end,and a straight jack tweed to match my HG50.Two days later I was plugging them in,and dam they are nice.Great bunch of small business people around here.
Better equipment usually will not let you down,and inspires confidence that translates into improvements.I may not be that good,but I am dam sure going to look good doing it.Dam those cables are sharp.No affiliation,just a satisfied customer.By the By I hear better production of my sound,I need all the tone I can own.
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Frank
2843 posts
Sep 27, 2013
3:00 PM
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Every less expensive cable I've owned has caused problems...The best one I have is handmade by Greg H. - I agree great cables are a wise investment and make a big difference :)
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didjcripey
632 posts
Sep 27, 2013
3:01 PM
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I have used cheap, standard cables for years, and soldered my own connections on them.
Never had a problem.
I find it hard to believe that a better cable will affect your sound.
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Lucky Lester
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Frank
2845 posts
Sep 27, 2013
3:07 PM
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I agree Lester that this can be debated like how harmonica combs are...some players will notice a difference, some won't :)
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capnj
166 posts
Sep 27, 2013
4:16 PM
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Yeah Lester you have been lucky,and I wish we lived close love to give it a road test.Alot of guitar players swear their is a tonal difference,and they are crazier than we are,and more of them.
I might be talking out of school,but I didn't say a big difference,if even the placebo effect is in force here,thats working right now.Alas so much prettier though,my new babies.
I do believe that lengths make a difference,some engineers say over 20 some degradation.I am not talking about xlr connections,or using DI boxes.
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didjcripey
633 posts
Sep 27, 2013
5:06 PM
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They don't call me 'Lucky' for nothin (though I always carry a spare anyway).
Placebo effect; I am a firm believer. Anything that gives you even a little more mojo is a good thing.
My mojo comes more from using beat up old looking stuff, as if I've been playing since moses was in shorts and I don't care what gear I use.
Sound engineers will tell you that cable length does makes a difference with high impedance, but not so much with low impedance. I prefer to be reasonably close to my amp, so I prefer shorter cables anyway.
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Lucky Lester
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Greg Heumann
2384 posts
Sep 27, 2013
5:45 PM
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Whether or not different cables sound better - when it comes to screw-on connectors there can be a big difference in quality and it has to do with an inherent weakness in the connector design. The spring may look good but it does NOTHING to prevent the cable from spinning inside the spring/connector. THAT happens when the user inadvertently allows twisting stress to develop. That's easy to do if you never thought about it, especially if you leave your cable connected to your mic, or hold the connector whole you coil the cable. If the cable can spin inside the connector it is guaranteed to be only months, weeks or even days before it fails. There is nothing to prevent the center connection form severing, or the cable shield from wrapping around the center conductor causing an intermittent short. Take a look at the cable that comes with a Hohner Roadhouse JT30 - NOTHING has been done to prevent this failure mode. Cable makers like me take many extra precautions to prevent this from happening. Still - the best defense is a knowledgable user. If you avoid any twisting stress between the cable and the connector your cable will last a long time. If you don't, it won't. I include an educational sheet with every cable I sell.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Sep 27, 2013 5:57 PM
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capnj
168 posts
Sep 27, 2013
6:27 PM
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Screw on connectors should only be bought from Greg,Mike, or other usually independant cable makers.This a wonderful connection,but as explained wraught with disaster.That new Jt30 cable is Mickey Mouse,and needs replaced as many have done.
The switchcraft adapter is nice,but expect slippage when using cheap jacks,which of course come with cheap cables.Not an expert,but this board has some of the best.
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didjcripey
634 posts
Sep 27, 2013
7:06 PM
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Lucky again with the connectors I've used.
All the screw on connectors I've used (either bought new on ebay or having come with a vintage mic) have a relief spring and a grub screw on the body. The grub screw tightens on the outside plastic insulation of the cable and prevents any movement or strain on the solder joints.
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Lucky Lester
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didjcripey
635 posts
Sep 27, 2013
8:03 PM
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It does on the ones I have.
It also provides the earth connection.
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Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Sep 27, 2013 8:05 PM
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shbamac
377 posts
Sep 27, 2013
8:41 PM
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I have never noticed any tonal or sonic differences in cables. Been making my own cables for ever. This is typically how I do it. Last a very long time. Can't remember when the last time one failed, if ever really... I still use cables that were made 40+ years ago (not mine).
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Greg Heumann
2386 posts
Sep 28, 2013
8:01 AM
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@djdcripey - what cable are you using? And are you using Switchcraft 2501F or something else?
'cuz my reaction is the same as tmf714. It does neither. The grub screw only secures the spring into the connector barrel.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Sep 28, 2013 8:01 AM
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Harpaholic
379 posts
Sep 28, 2013
12:02 PM
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Bluexlab, no grub screw, no spring.
Its crimped on using a connector they designed and manufactor.
I've had two of their cables for over three years without a problem.
They come in several colors. Great option for the overseas players, since the company is in Italty. They do sell them on Ebay for U.S. buyers.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Sep 28, 2013 12:03 PM
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didjcripey
637 posts
Sep 28, 2013
2:34 PM
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@Greg: I use standard plastic coated instrument cable. The connectors have been mostly ones which came with vintage mics so I couldn't tell you what model, though I assume they're switchcrafts.I also have used ones purchased off ebay; non name copies of switchcraft from Hong Kong. Can't find any listings for them at present.
Its been a while since I've done one, since I have not had one fail, so maybe I'm a bit hazy on the details, but once assembled, with the grub screw tightened, there is no movement of the cable and no strain on the solder joint.
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Lucky Lester
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