LearnGospelMusic.com Community
Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: 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/ (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.
-
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
-
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?
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
I meant to say I am a huge "fan" of Whirlwind Cables.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ya'll gonna make me have to search for that "best" cable again. ;D Those cables have made a world of difference in my tone and sound. Now I have to search again for the right cable.
-
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!
-
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!!!
-
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.
-
I'm officially quitting on the bass and going to start playing the spoons and washboard. More cost effective. ;D
-
I'm officially quitting on the bass and going to start playing the spoons and washboard. More cost effective. ;D
that's too expensive doc!!
I'm playing the lip and jaw harp...LOL!
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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? ;D
-J
-
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!
-
$59.00 for a 15 foot cable...really? I think I've paid ~$20 for (each) for the 2 cables I own and have had them forever.
Is the quality really that noticable? 60 bucks sure seems steep.
-
Honestly, its noticeable. I think that my cables were $30-40 a piece.
-
Man this has been discussed to no end on talkbass.com. Someone even did a study on high end monster cables vs wire hangers. Some swear by high end cables but other say its all hype. For me its more an issue of durability than audio quality. A well shielded sturdy cable is just less to worry about. I make my cables from i think pro co which is like $.90 a foot 90% shield and dayton plugs
-
Apprentice, you've got me thinking. I'm going to have to check out your technique.
-
Man this has been discussed to no end on talkbass.com. Someone even did a study on high end monster cables vs wire hangers. Some swear by high end cables but other say its all hype. For me its more an issue of durability than audio quality. A well shielded sturdy cable is just less to worry about. I make my cables from i think pro co which is like $.90 a foot 90% shield and dayton plugs
dude, next u gonna tell us you build the places you play at. geez, what DONT u make? lol. nah, u got the talent, why not use it. are we gonna see ur cable line coming in stores soon?
-
I haven't tried the Monsters, but the Planet Waves are mediocre at best, despite their lifetime warranty (what do you use while you're waiting for them to send you a replacement?).
I am currently using a Peavey cable that seems to be pretty durable.
-
Yall are scaring me because I use Monster Cable as well. Haven't had any problems yet. Now I'm going to be all apprehensive.
-
Yall are scaring me because I use Monster Cable as well. Haven't had any problems yet. Now I'm going to be all apprehensive.
If you have a barrel jack try using another type of cord after taking out your monster and let us know your observation.
-
i dont have barrel jacks, but i havent had a problem with monster bass cables. i had mine for about 4 years before i took it in and got a replacement 2 weeks ago. that thing took abuse (like people knocking your bass off the stand while its plugged in and it falls directly on the jack, and i doubt any cable can take too much of that regardless of brand, which is why i keep people away from my stuff, especially the bad kids in the church. lol)
i got a guitar cable, because they didnt have the same size in the bass cable. when i leave my bass at church i use a cheap cable during the week because i dont bring my stuff (somebody stole my other monster cable that i left in the church) but the cheap cable didnt feel loose after using the monster cable.
50 bucks for that monster was kinda a lot, but those Dr. Souls are a bit of change. (cause im an honest guy, but the people that steal cables arent worried about prices. lol)
-
Just to be clear, the issues were isolated to the MONSTER BASS cables only. I believe the standard instrument and speaker cables have no issues that I'm aware of. And again, many of the problems were to barrel jacks.
-
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!
wow same here with my ibanze two jacks while using monster cables less than 6months
-
$59.00 for a 15 foot cable...really? I think I've paid ~$20 for (each) for the 2 cables I own and have had them forever.
Is the quality really that noticable? 60 bucks sure seems steep.
It might seem that way, but when your assembling the sleeves over the cables, re-building them and modding the solder joints and importing the best possible components - not to mention doing it by yourself, it can add up. I think they're worth it because I get stuff from guys who tour and work constantly and some of the things that kill components are really "out there." These are over built to the point where they're really tough to break. We tried.
Just to be clear, the issues were isolated to the MONSTER BASS cables only. I believe the standard instrument and speaker cables have no issues that I'm aware of. And again, many of the problems were to barrel jacks.
DWBass is correct. I don't know the difference as I don't use monster cables, but I replace about 30 barrel jacks per year and maybe 20 of those are from monster users whereas the other 10 are just really old jacks. If you use monster cables and don't have an issue, don't sweat it! Barrel jacks are a little more delicate.
I'm including the Dr. Souls stuff with my basses because I build a high quality product (I hope) so I think it should be shipped with a high quality cable. They aren't cheap, but they're super tough and sound great. I'm not trying to sell the cables, I just wanted to put them out there as an option for those of you who haven't heard of them. I like the idea of any cable (regardless of price) as long as it doesn't mean my day is interrupted by switching out a worn output jack!
-
I'm glad I found out before it happens to my Ibanez. It's good because I think Guitar Center has a sale going on this weekend I just hope they mark down some different cables.
-
Standard jacks (with the nut on the outside) are resistant because the connectors are beefier,
So what makes the nut on these jacks start to loosen up? I have to check mine on my Fender whenever I play to make sure its not unscrewing itself.
-
So what makes the nut on these jacks start to loosen up? I have to check mine on my Fender whenever I play to make sure its not unscrewing itself.
go to autozone and get "locktite"
It'll keep it from backing off AND you'll be able to take it off when you want to instead of permanently gluing that joint on.
-
This problem is exactly why I never bought a Monster cable. I also know a few guitar players too that have had input jack issues from these.
-
go to autozone and get "locktite"
It'll keep it from backing off AND you'll be able to take it off when you want to instead of permanently gluing that joint on.
Ok, proshate it.