cables-n-friends

[rockeroo]

What cables do you use for long runs (i.e. guitar to board / board to amp) and shorter runs (i.e. pedal board)?

Do you have a preference on the connectors used (i.e. neutrik, switchcraft, etc..)

If you respond, please provide a reasoning (what you like) behind why you chose your specific cabling.

Thanks!

[thesjkexperience]

I use Evidence Audio Lyric HG for everything but two patch cables where I use EA Forte. The Forte is very similar in construction to the Lyric HG, but it uses stranded wire, so it is really flexible. I have been using the Lyric HG for 3 - 4 years now and finally upgraded my board to almost all Lyric HG. You have to use Neutrik with the Lyric (due to the thickness of the cable?) as it is the only way I have seen it sold. I like to use a 90 degree out of the guitar and I think from now on all guitar cords will have 90 degree ends on both sides to avoid accidents. These guys are great and have a lot of info on their site: http://www.earsproaudio.com/index.html Also Tony at EA is super friendly and helpful and is quick to reply to emails or phone calls.

I love the cable because it makes each of my guitars sound like themselves with maximum punch, clarity (no icepick) and volume with a construction that stops 99.99% of external RF and handling noise. All notes can be heard and there is no ear fatigue from too much top end or midrange mud.

I had used Spectraflex for 15+ years before I discovered EA and I was really skeptical about spending so much for a cable! I did notice a big jump in volume right away and a bit in clarity, but the kicker was when I had been using the Lyrics for several months and went to a friends house and used an old Spectraflex that was in my case. It just sounded SO BAD!

Patch cables Why didn't I just buy the best straight away and not waste so much money?!? I tried George L, Fulltone soldered, Lava solder less, EA Melody and finally to Lyric HG with my two curviest patches using Forte for flexibility. It just takes your BJFEs, Cornish, Strymon, Effectrode, etc pedals to a new level! You will even be surprised by how much sustain is added with the Lyric HGs. It is like using a fire hose instead of garden hose.

I also did a test with lamp cord and EA Siren II speaker cable and it was a very noticeable improvement in clarity, balance and it extended both bass and sweet treble. You can buy 2' of it for $14 and use two Switchcraft right angle plugs (or whatever) and really improve your sound. When I get some time I have extra to rewire my 2x12" cab and I am thinking of doing my Swart AST Pro as well. I suppose I should try the Victoria as well as it isn't getting used much as I don't really like the top end it gives off anymore after playing the Swarts for 2 years. Maybe a little Siren II would smooth the top and even out the sound.

One last thing is the EA cables have a lifetime warranty and the owner Tony is as good as it gets in the customer service arena! I say buy great once and worry about your music.

[hawaii121]

+1 on evidence and a little additional thought.

I have Evidence Lyric HG, Melody, and monorail. The later of the two are used in patch cables. With monorail, Neutrix are the best option because of cable width. With Melody, I use switchcraft and mark them (started making my own cables) with red shrink wrap because, unlike the monorail, they are directional. My only gripe with the Neutrix is that the plugs are longer and this sometimes matters on tight spaces on a pedal board. Otherwise, I can't see/hear any performance difference. If you make your own cables, the monorail is A LOT easier to work with than the Melody.

I like the Lyric for all the same reasons as Scott, so I wont bother with that. My wild card cable is a Van Den Hul which I bought because of pure OCD and couldn't live another day without knowing if it was better in some way than everything else , but deserves a laugh all the same. Anyhow, it too is a terrific cable, but the difference between it and an Evidence Lyric is 90% cost, 8% improved flexibility, and 2% sonic (which is more due to subtle difference than improvement.

The other cable I have recently used was a Cornish and I do prefer the sonics (albeit subtle) of the Evidence, but the Cornish is also exceptional and is the best "performing" cable I have ever used. What I mean is that it is flexible and works well if you are moving around while playing.

Lastly, I'm with Scott again on using the Evidence cables for Amp to Cab, they do make an audible difference to me. Big thing on the Evidence, they take time to break in so you really need to give them 50 to 100 hours before you can accurately judge them.

[thesjkexperience]

I am not 100% sure, but I think Tony says all his cable is directional and it flows the same way the words do on the cover. He told me that Monorail is the same as Melody without the fancy cover.

Funny about the cable break in. I don't know that I can put my finger on how it changes, but one day you will notice that it just sounds amazing.

[cajone5]

I use cornish cables from the board to the amp. A coil-cable form the guitar to the board. And evidence monorail with neutrix or pancake jacks as patch cables.

[SteveA]

I've never really tested cables side by side and i'm embarrassed to say that the only reason i've bought into the evidence cable thing is because of the dave gilmour endorsement. Well its not a bad endorsement and they make my /13 sound fuller and more open but that's about it. I haven't used anything else in years so i wouldn't remember how anything else sounds The patch cables are generic though. Never bought high end patch cables but I may just go ahead and check out what lava has to offer.

[hawaii121]

I am not 100% sure, but I think Tony says all his cable is directional and it flows the same way the words do on the cover. He told me that Monorail is the same as Melody without the fancy cover.

Makes sense, they look identical when clipped. The fancy cover on the Melody is what makes it a pain when making patch cables. What I do is clip the length I need and wrap tape around both ends and then use a razor blade to cut the outer stuff (half way on the tape) and expose the inner wire. This keeps the thread from unraveling and getting into your ground wires.

If you listen to an Evidence cable next to something in the $30 range, there is a really big difference. Not everybody needs this, but if you can hear it (which most on this site can) you know why we all spend a little extra.

[rockeroo]

WELL! I just received 2 Evidence Audio cables. I decided to choose the Lyric HG from my board to my deluxe. I chose the Forte from my guitar to my board. After talking with the guys from EARS for some time (and digesting my personal experience), I decided to combine the strengths of the two cables when purchasing, rather than choosing just one.

Traditionally, I had used monster cables for long runs and lava cables on my board. When I switched the 2 monster cables with the evidence audio cables at rehearsal tonight, I was BLOWN AWAY at the difference in tone. I am not talking about a marginal difference. The Forte/Lyric HG rescued the mid-range of my tone and tightened the bass and harmonic regions. The cables are extremely responsive, and I cannot wait to get bulk cabling to outfit my rig. Quite honestly, the cables breathed life into my rig. It has never sounded so good.

Interesting to note that the change in cables completely changed the way my MH and BBOD responded. The drives were much more rich than they have even been, and I already loved them to start with. Now, I can envision what is possible when recabling my board... I experienced a better, more smooth volume sweep on my guitar's volume knob. The saturation was incredible. I am a believer.

You guys were right ... my wallet hates you.

Cheers.

[SteveA]

LOL! I've used them so long i forgot how it felt the first time. That's what I miss really, the joy you get the first time you hear something incredible. Then you get spoiled and want more.. only that extra more is harder to get. From the DRRI to to the /13 was huge. First time with the LGW was huge. First time using pro cables made me happy.... now i'm saving up for the guitars .....

[rockeroo]

Yeah. I cannot believe how it jumped through the MH. The drive was so warm, saturated and responsive ... all characteristics I had experienced before, but on a much different scale. When stacked with the RRB, the tone was huge, singing and incredibly dynamic -- preaching to the choir, I know.

I am anticipating similar feelings when I run through other pedals not on my board... I have settled on the MH, BBOD and RRB for all of my overdriven needs. I have others, but those three cover at all (with the exception of the need for an occasional fuzz-frenzy). Man, I wish I would have heard about these sooner. Gotta catch up.

Cheers!