Topic: Cable fun (Read 4495 times)

CallowHill · « **on:** April 19, 2009, 11:06:04 PM »

I just wanted to give you guys a heads-up about a new cable company. http://www.doctorsouls.com/

I rec'd a few samples and they're really good. Super tough, and they sound great. Yeah, I know - hard to believe but quality wire does make a difference in your tone. Anyway, this company offers a great product at a great price, and I'll be offering these with CallowHill basses from now on.

I've grown tired of doing "warranty" replacements on jacks which were murdered by the poor engineering of Monster cables, so I figure the best way to avoid it in the future is to include a superior cable with all of my basses.

I have no affiliation with Dr. Souls other than the fact we both take pride in making good stuff. I just wanted to throw the info out there in case you're interested.

browntree · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2009, 11:17:59 PM »

Quote from: CallowHill on April 19, 2009, 11:06:04 PM

Yeah, I know - hard to believe but quality wire does make a difference in your tone.

Very true...especially for bass. Also why you should invest in good cabinet cables.

Thanks for the info...I'll definitely check it out!

Browntree

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. I Chronicles 15:16

ddwilkins · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2009, 06:20:16 AM »

Can you elaborate more on the bad engineering of the monster cables? Those are the only cables I've been using. I definitely don't want to be replacing jacks. Could it be that the musicians were not properly inserting the cable versus bad enginering?

DWBass · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2009, 06:29:29 AM »

Quote from: ddwilkins on April 20, 2009, 06:20:16 AM

Can you elaborate more on the bad engineering of the monster cables? Those are the only cables I've been using. I definitely don't want to be replacing jacks. Could it be that the musicians were not properly inserting the cable versus bad enginering?

I'll bite since I've experienced the horror!! LOL! At some point in Monster Cable's earlier production, the BASS dedicated cables plugs were manufactered a smidgen wider and longer causing jack failures when used with alternate cabling. You had to continue using the Monster cable. I had to have the jacks replaced on 2 different bass due to this. Monster Cable even admitted to the problem and I assume it has been corrected (or has it). In any case, I personally will never buy or use Monster Cable.......ever!

Kelz-Da-Basshead · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:08:08 AM »

So yall sayin that if I keep using monster cables I can mess up my bass. That means I have to go to guitar center today.

DWBass · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:20:49 AM »

Quote from: Kelz-Da-Basshead on April 20, 2009, 07:08:08 AM

So yall sayin that if I keep using monster cables I can mess up my bass. That means I have to go to guitar center today.

This issue was isolated to the BASS instrument cables and again, I don't know if the issue has been corrected. If you're using the STANDARD instrument cable, I think you're fine. Most cable manufacturers now have the same type of lifetime replacement plan so you don't have to stick with Monster. Personally I'm a huge hand of Whirlwind cables and have been using them for years.

Try using a different cable and if you have no issues then no worries. I did but the Monster BASS cable I bought was back in the late 90's very early 2k's.

DWBass · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:24:59 AM »

I meant to say I am a huge "fan" of Whirlwind Cables.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2009, 07:30:08 AM »

Quote from: DWBass on April 20, 2009, 06:29:29 AM

I'll bite since I've experienced the horror!! LOL! At some point in Monster Cable's earlier production, the BASS dedicated cables plugs were manufactered a smidgen wider and longer causing jack failures when used with alternate cabling. You had to continue using the Monster cable. I had to have the jacks replaced on 2 different bass due to this. Monster Cable even admitted to the problem and I assume it has been corrected (or has it). In any case, I personally will never buy or use Monster Cable.......ever!

How recently has Monster acknowledged this problem? I've been using them for about the past 5 or so years. Fortunately, I haven't had any issues with jacks or anything. Of course, I don't want to mess up my basses, but at the same time, I don't want to go out and purchase more cables, when I have 2 $30 monster cables that have not given me any problems.

jeremyr · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:05:26 AM »

I can testify to monster cables eating output jacks as i've had to open my bass up several times to "Squeeze" the jack leads so that they would actually make contact with a cable other than the monster cable.

I personally will never use monster cables again.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:02:36 AM »

Ya'll gonna make me have to search for that "best" cable again.

Those cables have made a world of difference in my tone and sound. Now I have to search again for the right cable.

DWBass · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:15:11 AM »

Quote from: ddwilkins on April 20, 2009, 07:30:08 AM

How recently has Monster acknowledged this problem? I've been using them for about the past 5 or so years.

This was some years back. Probably more than 5 years as this issue was prevelant in the early 2k's. If you have no problem with your jack when switching cable brands then I wouldn't worry about it. I had other issues with Monster beside the plugs. I didn't like the stiffness of the cables either!

jeremyr · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:19:59 AM »

The cable that ate my jack over and over was less than a year and a half old.

I think they still have those issues. Unacceptable in my book!!!

mjl422 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:06:50 AM »

Does it matter what kind of jack you have on your bass? I never had any problems with mine (I switch between Monster and Planet Waves) but, I did have to change my cousin's jack recently. He has a barrel jack on his bass.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:27:45 AM »

I'm officially quitting on the bass and going to start playing the spoons and washboard. More cost effective.

jeremyr · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:33:39 AM »

Quote from: ddwilkins on April 20, 2009, 10:27:45 AM

I'm officially quitting on the bass and going to start playing the spoons and washboard. More cost effective.

that's too expensive doc!!

I'm playing the lip and jaw harp...LOL!

CallowHill · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:35:09 AM »

DWBass knows more about this than I do. If it was a limited batch then I'm still dealing with it because I keep having to replace barrel jacks as a result. Standard jacks (with the nut on the outside) are resistant because the connectors are beefier, but barrel jacks (the jack is cylindrical and the nut is on the inside of the bass - very common type) won't last more than a few months. My other issue with Monster is that they spend more money threatening lawsuits against companies who use the word "Monster" than they do investing in the improvement of their own product.

At any rate, the Dr. Souls stuff is really good and worth looking into as a cable alternative.

bradleymoorer · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:38:48 AM »

This thread explains so much!! No wonder my warwick working on it's third jack, wow! no more monster cable for me, that is all I buy. Thanks for the info! Peace!

ddwilkins · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2009, 12:21:52 PM »

Quote from: CallowHill on April 20, 2009, 11:35:09 AM

DWBass knows more about this than I do. If it was a limited batch then I'm still dealing with it because I keep having to replace barrel jacks as a result. Standard jacks (with the nut on the outside) are resistant because the connectors are beefier, but barrel jacks (the jack is cylindrical and the nut is on the inside of the bass - very common type) won't last more than a few months. My other issue with Monster is that they spend more money threatening lawsuits against companies who use the word "Monster" than they do investing in the improvement of their own product.

At any rate, the Dr. Souls stuff is really good and worth looking into as a cable alternative.

So, for instance, an Aggie obp-3 with the nut on the outside of the control cavity would be ok? That's what I just put in my bass. I just don't want to have to start looking for the "right" cable all over again. When the current ones have go out and stop working, I'll then get some more.

Bullitt · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2009, 01:28:11 PM »

Quote from: jeremyr on April 20, 2009, 11:33:39 AM

that's too expensive doc!!

I'm playing the lip and jaw harp...LOL!

Kazoo player checkin in. What key we in? E# or Fb?

-J

DWBass · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2009, 01:40:31 PM »

Quote from: CallowHill on April 20, 2009, 11:35:09 AM

DWBass knows more about this than I do. If it was a limited batch then I'm still dealing with it because I keep having to replace barrel jacks as a result. Standard jacks (with the nut on the outside) are resistant because the connectors are beefier, but barrel jacks (the jack is cylindrical and the nut is on the inside of the bass - very common type) won't last more than a few months.

Then that could be it because the jacks I had to replace were of the barrel type (Tobias bass and Ibanez bass)! You can definitely tell the difference with Monster BASS Cable because when you plug it in, it snaps in REAL TIGHT and you have to tug at it to get it out. To me, that means it's larger than it should be. I got worried that I might actually pull my entire jack out! That's how tight a fit it was!

Author Topic: Cable fun (Read 4495 times)