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Post by guitarboy02451 on Jun 12, 2006 2:45:37 GMT -7
I've always been told I should upgrade my cables. I use standard run of the mill cheap crap and have always been happy.
So, I went out and spent $100 on some new really heavy guage monster Performer Series cables. Plugged them in and started playing. Didn't notice anything off the bat, but started thinking that someone put a blanket over my speaker cabs.
I swapped back to my regular old cables and it was if that blanket was removed.
So, IMO, spending big bucks for cables is for the birds. I'm sure they cut down on noise, but also cut too much of everything else.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 12, 2006 4:11:00 GMT -7
Sorry you bought the Monster cables. There's a thread up in the General section about good cables. There really are differences. Most guys that compare the Monster cables with Bayou or George L's for instance, instantly notice better sound. What is most apparent are the highs. The Monster cables are reputed to be dark sounding. Here's a little test, maybe you can get a hold of a George L (they're pretty common now), sit down in a quiet room with a good amp set clean. play a while with each cord. I guarantee you'll hear a difference. Then you can decide which you like better. I tried this myself recently with my Carmen Ghia and a few different cords. I wasn't really skeptical but since I had never tried this myself I didn't have a valid opinion. But I do now and good cables do make a difference. There are times when a dark sounding cable might be just the ticket. Think of Albert Collins plugging his Telecaster into a Fender Quad Reverb with JBLs. He would play with a 100' cable so he could move all around the club. In Kansas City here he actually went out into Main Street while playing. Anyway his long cord rolled off enough highs to help tame the highs on his rig.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 12, 2006 6:37:27 GMT -7
I've always been told I should upgrade my cables. I use standard run of the mill cheap crap and have always been happy. So, I went out and spent $100 on some new really heavy guage monster Performer Series cables. Plugged them in and started playing. Didn't notice anything off the bat, but started thinking that someone put a blanket over my speaker cabs. I swapped back to my regular old cables and it was if that blanket was removed. So, IMO, spending big bucks for cables is for the birds. I'm sure they cut down on noise, but also cut too much of everything else. Monster cables are nothing but hype if you ask me. You wasted your money. You can get extremely good sounding cables for about the same money as Monsters, and that will last nearly a lifetime. The thing is, they all sound different, so you need to try a load of different ones to find out what you like. You already know you DON'T like the Monsters, and you are liking your cheapies, but I'll bet if you tried a few other premium brands you'll find something you like even better. YMMV!
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Post by guitarman1 on Jun 12, 2006 6:49:17 GMT -7
I've always been told I should upgrade my cables. I use standard run of the mill cheap crap and have always been happy. So, I went out and spent $100 on some new really heavy guage monster Performer Series cables. Plugged them in and started playing. Didn't notice anything off the bat, but started thinking that someone put a blanket over my speaker cabs. I swapped back to my regular old cables and it was if that blanket was removed. So, IMO, spending big bucks for cables is for the birds. I'm sure they cut down on noise, but also cut too much of everything else. Monster cables are nothing but hype if you ask me. You wasted your money. You can get extremely good sounding cables for about the same money as Monsters, and that will last nearly a lifetime. The thing is, they all sound different, so you need to try a load of different ones to find out what you like. You already know you DON'T like the Monsters, and you are liking your cheapies, but I'll bet if you tried a few other premium brands you'll find something you like even better. YMMV! +1 on that Benttop.
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 7:26:29 GMT -7
Me likey da Monster.
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Post by rcrecelius on Jun 12, 2006 8:04:23 GMT -7
I bought 2 monster cables a while back(back before all these cord threads came up) and at first, they seemed to sound better than what I had but after a couple months I thought I had something wrong with my amp...dark and muddy was all I could get out of it. On a whim, I went back to my old cables and all the clarity was restored. Also...I have complained about cell phone interference while using a Bad Bob Boost pedal...well, it seems that changing cables has fixed that problem also. YMMV as usual.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 12, 2006 8:17:14 GMT -7
I bought 2 monster cables a while back(back before all these cord threads came up) and at first, they seemed to sound better than what I had but after a couple months I thought I had something wrong with my amp...dark and muddy was all I could get out of it. On a whim, I went back to my old cables and all the clarity was restored. Also...I have complained about cell phone interference while using a Bad Bob Boost pedal...well, it seems that changing cables has fixed that problem also. YMMV as usual. Yep. I'm going to tell you what I really think... Monster cables are junk. There you go!
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 12, 2006 8:22:39 GMT -7
Don't sugar coat it!
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 8:43:09 GMT -7
Benttop's mileage don't even VARY on this one! It STAYS bad! LOL!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 12, 2006 8:56:42 GMT -7
Benttop's mileage don't even VARY on this one! It STAYS bad! LOL! Yep! ;D Prolly cause everyone who has ever done the test agrees. Shoot, I bet they'd sound bad compared to an old coat hanger...
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 8:58:32 GMT -7
I'll have to try that! I really LOLed on that one!
Karma coming at you!
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Post by foxx on Jun 12, 2006 9:56:36 GMT -7
I agree that Monster cables are dark. I use quantum and spectraflex, maybe not the best, but better than monster.
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 9:59:41 GMT -7
I agree that Monster cables are dark... I like dark beer, too.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Jun 12, 2006 12:13:37 GMT -7
I like dark beer, but don't like a muddy guitar! ;-)
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Post by foxx on Jun 12, 2006 12:32:46 GMT -7
I like my beer like I like my tone, wide ranging. If I want dark beer, I can have it, if I want dark tone I can turn down my tone knob. I can understand wanting to tame a Z amp, I'm still getting used to how much signal gets through to the amp. They are so touch sensitive, but that's where technique and grace come in. I would not like to limit my tone with dark cables. I have a Memory Lane delay which can be dark, but it isn't always dark or even on. I like to have as much dynamic range as possible.
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 16:09:35 GMT -7
I appreciate your point, foxx. Looks like I'm in the minority on this thread. (I do like a good pilsner, myself, BTW. I was just making a joke up there.) No worries, man! When I make it out to NM, I'll be looking to buy you a cold one!
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 12, 2006 16:19:10 GMT -7
Try the test Mr Propellr. You might be right, we may be crazy.
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Post by foxx on Jun 12, 2006 16:26:47 GMT -7
Look forward to it Prop!
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Post by jwr on Jun 12, 2006 19:57:51 GMT -7
Paul, try procablesnsound.com Real good people, good product and prices. There instrument AND speaker cable has had a dramatic effect on my tone. I ordered raw cable and connectors and have been making my own cables, it's a lot cheaper. I like any and all forms of beer. Especially cold beer.
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Post by rodeoclown on Jun 12, 2006 22:30:08 GMT -7
It's 2 AM and I just watched the original " Creature From the Black Lagoon". Now that's a monster!
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Jun 13, 2006 2:32:02 GMT -7
Did the creature change the sound of your tv? :-)
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Post by propellr on Jun 13, 2006 5:10:37 GMT -7
It's 2 AM and I just watched the original " Creature From the Black Lagoon". Now that's a monster! I'm currently bidding on a DVD copy of that film on ebay! What a classic monster movie! That's a rather dark picture, with the black lagoon and all.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 13, 2006 5:23:42 GMT -7
Did you ever hear the Dave Edmonds tune, Creature From The Black Laguna?
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Post by propellr on Jun 13, 2006 5:35:10 GMT -7
Did the creature change the sound of your tv? :-) I just now got that. Went completely over my head, before.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jun 13, 2006 11:39:49 GMT -7
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Post by Telemanic on Jun 13, 2006 15:34:18 GMT -7
Soooo subjective this thing about cables! I think there is a cable for every rig. There is so many combinations of factors involved its like a rubicks cube trying to figure it all out. To me its all trial and error one piece of the puzzle at a time, each piece being a tweak on the road to perfection, (ha! yeah right). Just for conversation, i love george L's for pedal board wiring, but for all their clarity, in my rig, i find them missing some fullness or maybe balance is a better word, for my main cables. On the other hand spectraflex fatso flex, were too middy, kind of aggressive, and not enough top end clarity. Monster, dark and bottom heavy, etc. Someone turned me on to some conquest (gold braiding ) that are the most balanced sounding ive heard, and ive used them ever since. So i guess for me, in a certain rig, the crappiest cables ever may be the golden ticket, or in another, the monsters may be nirvana!! Viva la differance !!
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Post by bigdaddyweed on Oct 1, 2006 15:39:46 GMT -7
I've always been told I should upgrade my cables. I use standard run of the mill cheap crap and have always been happy. So, I went out and spent $100 on some new really heavy guage monster Performer Series cables. Plugged them in and started playing. Didn't notice anything off the bat, but started thinking that someone put a blanket over my speaker cabs. I swapped back to my regular old cables and it was if that blanket was removed. So, IMO, spending big bucks for cables is for the birds. I'm sure they cut down on noise, but also cut too much of everything else. I have used monster cables for years, and just recently read this thread, so I decided to perform my own test. I replaced one of my monsters with a Mogami gold, and it made a big difference. I had to readjust my MAZ 18 somewhat, because the darkness was gone. I just put all my monster guitar cables on ebay, and even though I'm improving my tone, they served me well for a long time and I hated to give them up. But I do have a question. What about the Monster Mic cables and speaker cables? Are they also darker sounding than others of comparible price? I thought I might get some opinions and feedback here before doing my own tests, since you all were definitely right about the guitar cables. Thanks...........weedman
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 1, 2006 17:00:30 GMT -7
I've always been told I should upgrade my cables. I use standard run of the mill cheap crap and have always been happy. So, I went out and spent $100 on some new really heavy guage monster Performer Series cables. Plugged them in and started playing. Didn't notice anything off the bat, but started thinking that someone put a blanket over my speaker cabs. I swapped back to my regular old cables and it was if that blanket was removed. So, IMO, spending big bucks for cables is for the birds. I'm sure they cut down on noise, but also cut too much of everything else. I have used monster cables for years, and just recently read this thread, so I decided to perform my own test. I replaced one of my monsters with a Mogami gold, and it made a big difference. I had to readjust my MAZ 18 somewhat, because the darkness was gone. I just put all my monster guitar cables on ebay, and even though I'm improving my tone, they served me well for a long time and I hated to give them up. But I do have a question. What about the Monster Mic cables and speaker cables? Are they also darker sounding than others of comparible price? I thought I might get some opinions and feedback here before doing my own tests, since you all were definitely right about the guitar cables. Thanks...........weedman Well guitar cords are a whole different breed because of the specific variables present in the guitar/amp interface. In other words, with a guitar plugged straight into an amp, cable impedance plays a larger role in how much signal gets to the first stage of the amp than it does in a mic or speaker setup. It DOES make a difference on those other scenarios, but not nearly so much as for the guitar.
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Post by deltone on Oct 2, 2006 19:53:41 GMT -7
About the same time I got my Z I also got a new pedal board. As a result I also began buying some new pedals to go on the new board. I had the pedals hooked up with various brands of cables from George L's to ProCo to Monster to whoknowswhat. I had to use whatever I had around at the time until I could purchase and put together some more George L's (my fav). When I first played the Z going straight into it, no pedals, it had that awesome tone with great sparkle and chime. After running through the pedals, the tone appeared somewhat dull. I wasn't sure if I had just already become used to the Z tone and so didn't notice the sparkle and chime as much anymore, or maybe the pedals were sucking some of the tone, or maybe the cables. Anyway, about a week ago I finally was able to pretty much finish the board out with George L's. And guess what? As might be expected, the awesome Z tone with all the sparkle and chime was back. I'm thinkin' it was that one Monster Cable in the chain. :-)
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Post by taswegian on Oct 2, 2006 20:05:32 GMT -7
Anyone tried the Pete Cornish leads yet? Billy, they have some at Mass Street don't they?
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