Best Guitar Cable? Shoot-Out / Shopping Guide ~ Bullet, Monster, ProCo, etc.

[mijaresaldo]

Great comparison/test! how do I do a Noise Test? Just plug the Cable, bring volume up, and hit it with a piece of metal? no, didn't bored me, I learned something. Thanks a lot.

[MrJdelg]

I have both. Their both great but costed me almost the same

[Stonyman65]

I like Dimarzio cables. I've tried Monster cables, but like everything else made by Monster, it is WAY overpriced for what you get.

[allechsbone]

Thanks Tone King you just sold me on the bullet!

[TheAudiorub]

Thank u

[TheAudiorub]

u have great vids

[musicftw120]

for the bullet cable i heard more bassy tones



[StevenzGuitarCovers]

Never will look at cables the same again, thanks man :)

[broadcast666this]

I just make my own cables. Sounds better than monster and any other high end cable, and its 1/3 the price. I use mogami cable and either full size amphenol or nutrik connectors. learn to solder guys!

[KaleidoscopeEyesTV]

Haha! Started off saying don't bully me but delivered a pretty cool test. How do you think Bullet cables compare to Elixir's 20'? I'm looking to buy either xP

[tothetop777]

Good video, I am going to get a bullet cable.

[sushant2095]

LMAO. The bullet, the monster and THE PIECE OF CRAP. xD HAHAHAHAHA EPIC! THE TONE KING IS FUNNY!

[therealrene]

ill give you an idea that could work next time you do one of these videos...

use a loop station and record the guitar parts and then just switch between channels.

idk with your setup if that would work or not but just throwing an idea out there.

[therealrene]

very very interesting test you did... never seen anything like this for real...

[timstudio777]

Mogami 2425 is the best wire I've ever used although I would like to try Gotham GAC-1's. Absolutely no high end loss in the Mogami. Also, adding cable never adds anything, only subtracts.

[bjm355]

Good thoughts, TTK. Thanks!

[bwchumu]

I think I hear what you called 'more' from both cables, just more so from the Bullet than the Monster. What I heard it as was a slight cut in the treble and high mids. Whether that's desirable or signal degradation who can say =]

[ehambright]

Can you do the same tests on pedal board cable. George L vs Lava etc? I always wonder which cable can handle the constant road abuse. Love your videos a huge help!!

[dinovideos]

Where can I find a bullet cable dealer that sends it to brazil ?

[theverbalrelease]

Great video TTK! It would be great if you could do the exact same thing to compare the Fender California cables and the cheap Musician's Gear / Musician's Friend cables.

[baruchdor]

...no one from your cable is good enough try elixir, george ls and try again

love!!! your video 3.5 meter max

[hutchfromba]

The signal degragation on the pro co cable is probably coming from the coupling unit of the two 15 footers . Try just one and you will not get the drop . Couplers make a big dB difference with any cable for any device . - Jerry - AKA - HUTCHfromBA .

[theendofacircle]

@hutchfromba proco cables are junk regardless of coupling them together.

[hutchfromba]

@theendofacircle That is very true but the couplings can drop the Db level from 3 to 7 Db with any cables . However , In the real world , you do what you have to do if you don't have a longer cable . - Jerry .

[WiMoVids]

One again, very interisting video. Great job.

[Araziaaa]

How do you get all these amps?

[sixstringfretter]

I cannot tell the difference between the Bullet & the Monster, which means both are top notch. I have been using the Mogami Platinum lately, and they are killer. They're a little saltly, $90 for a 12 footer. But they last forever and sound great. The Golds are a little cheaper, but still sound great. Great demo all the way around!

[Koshman32]

What's the green cable that you're using to run from the out of the Voodoo into your head?

[snellgrc]

Bullet cables all the way for me - less messy, easy to store, fantastic build quality (lifetime warranty..) and the sound is amazing. Cables can't "add" to the sound but they can let more of the guitar signal through than another cable can

[snellgrc]

@snellgrc forgot to mention I bought mine because gearmandude uses them on his videos to test some very expensive amps ..... and they look cool ;-)

[Dylannnnnnnn91]

The bullet completely changes the character of the tone. Good for if you have a harsh sounding amp i guess, but that much top end removal can be really undesirable. Could be the 30ft factor too though.

[TheOzzk]

Awesome video TK!!! Excellent topic. We tend to forget about the cables. It improves so much your tone have good quality cables. Rock on!

[dinovideos]

whos's the bullet cable compared to the planet waves cables ?

[Vomitore]

Call me crazy, but I like the old grey coil cords. There's a certain high-end that they taper off that's more appealing to my ear. But like everything, different strokes for different folks.

[KlopsDrums]

we only use MONSTER cables at KLOPS! DONT FORGET your guitar cabs hide alot of the clarity of the cable and pickups..

[JepsonsGuitarCovers]

Goodie thanks man! finally a really good cable test! Thumps up TTK!

[schlagdog]

Great idea putting the cables in the pedal loops.

[rmxrider20032000]

Finally a cable test for musicians, by a musician. Thank you Tone King.

[maneatingtoilets]

Its crazy how much a good cable improves tone. Me and my friend where always under the impression that his amp was terrible. Then we tried my new cable and it suddenly sounded pretty good! I always imagined it would be a minor difference. Although we where talking the cheapest cable possible, to a cleartone cable.

[dingle1]

Great review big guy, keeping it real as always. Rock on!!!!!!!!!

[guitarjammer1]

I for the most part thought cables were cables. You were right about the "free cables" that come supplied. I am currently using the Monster brand. The metal ends are shielded or covered. The metal ends dont come loose. And constantly checking to see if they are snug.

[rayjaysonic]

I enjoyed the tangle test best. I am going to get me a Bullet just for the lack of tangle!

[PureAsGold]

I like the compressed noise of the bullet compared to the more open noise of the monster, great vid Ttk!

[ex6arch6angel6]

the bullet cable sounds warmer

[ex6arch6angel6]

nice fernandes in the background (Y) i play those

[shr3dder417]

fail. mogami is the best cable

[MrGibstrat]

bullet cables are tangle free, but how is the tone and character?

[MrGibstrat]

monster cables do the same thing, they kink and get all tangled up

[MrGibstrat]

so what did you get out of it, all cables suck?

they all bind and kink,

still waiting fir a decent one

[MrCORN1BREAD]

he should have put a dimiarzio cable in this video

[siamesemojo]

Good test!

But I would suggest using a guitar/ amp combo with a bit more character and freq range, instead of the really dark sound you tend to use. It'd make the subtle elements a bit more obvious. Also, no planet waves cable?

[dewaldjohan]

Totally perfect vid...i have always been a tad skeptical about cables. This is a good usable test that actually means something to someone like me.

[dewaldjohan]

Totally perfect vid...i have always been a tad skeptical about cables. This is a good usable test that actually means something to someone like me.

[JYZProductions]

gold vs regular cables in the next video

[wxp24]

i think the monster was a little brighter than the bullet

[fitzhb]

Video quality looking better. Keep up the good work.

[GtrDudeL]

bullet cables rule! great review TDr!

[lmsjr]

@GtrDudeL haha. Thx for the comment!

[getsuga987]

@lmsjr hey tone king.Awesome stuff man!.BUT! you should totally checkout Lava cables friggin beast solderless cable its really good. check em out dude best in the world(in my opinion)

[keithg1313]

Damn Tone King, Your Science is TIGHT!

I've never thought about stuff like that. I started using Monster cables because the ends lasted longer. Never took length in to account either. Good to know. Good job. thanks.

[lmsjr]

@keithg1313 Thanks keith!

[evander5150]

Thanks Lou ! you rock ! as always !

[EvanEli13]

You should test out a Dimarzio cable

[1835msd]

Great vid! on my studio monitors every cable lost headroom and a little of your high end tone., but that might just be me. Great vid though!

[Stratocasterfreak]

The Proco Should Not Be Patch to Make a30 ft and at 15 ft Be Noiseless ...

[andoo345]

i have been using 10 foot radio shack cables, they were my great grandfathers and they work great, the monster cables i had for two years and shorted out i had a 3 foot one and a 10 foot, these radio shack ones have lasted for ever, and sound great, i need to check that nose test though iv need heard my cables do that

[bassplayer2011ify]

my favorite cable would be the planet waves circuit breaker for two reasons one it has a kill switch on the cable so there is no popping and buzzing when you switch guitars and two there is no soldering involved so if your wire starts to fray all you have to do is unscrew the clamp holding the wire in the jack cut off the part that is frayed strip a bit of the shield off screw the clamp back on and your ready to go now its $40 but its worth every penny

[roysyboy]

@bassplayer2011ify Agreed, I love my 20ft Planet Waves circuit breaker. One negative is you need plenty of room to play so it doesn't get bunched up and kinked, and to spread it out once in a while.

[MrCwillies]

and the moral of the story- cables make no fucking difference what so ever!

[Aerosmitty77]

I picked up a Coily bullet Cable in Red, and I love it. It has some heft though.

[espltdguitarlover]

Big time Monster cable fan here from the amps to the guitars to the foot pedals.

[Draind]

TsunamiCables are amazing.  Made a huge difference to my tone!

[willievega]

Great job TTK!



[lmsjr]

@willievega Thx willievega !!

[DraXgonProductions]

My band is sponsored by TsunamiCables They're great! I use to use Planet Waves, Monster, Mogami everything but now im using exclusively TsunamiCables. i love them!

[Draind]

Hell Yeah TsunamiCables!

[SixStringHarmonies]

The VLPS has a buffer...was this on?? Also, you can't fairly compare 10' of cable to 30' of cable. Capacitance is bound to be 3X as high in the 30' cable unless, of course, if the buffer is activated which skews results anyway. What about George L's, Mogami, the common GC LiveWire, Planet Waves, Evidence Audio, and Zaolla?? We all know Radio Shack cable is crap, nothing new there....

[lmsjr]

@SixStringHarmonies I did NOT use the buffered input on the VLPS. (good question! I was waiting for someone to ask me that :-).

[SixStringHarmonies]

@lmsjr Cool....the buffer is a game changer. Nice job TTK. I would never take on a cable shootout. Too hard to pull off. Keep up the good work for us boys and girls out here!!

[KristDfr]

@SixStringHarmonies I agree. the fact that the Bullet sounds that good being 20' feet longer is impressive. I have the straight silver bullet in 20' and it sounds great.



[lmsjr]

@SixStringHarmonies As for the other brands - this was a first take, based on what I had. Who knows - maybe some day I will have a 30 Cables in 30 Days; or something that includes other brands. This was a first go - wasn't intended to be a complete cable comparison - just a way to get viewers thinking about the differences in the cables. Mission accomplished?

[SixStringHarmonies]

@lmsjr Well done....would love to see equal lengths of all the "big boys" compared for tone changes in treble, mids, and bass. Ultimately, imo, good cable is good...cheap cable is cheap.

The difference between Mogami and George L's for instance is merely that one rolls off highs a little while the other rolls off bass or mids more so. It comes down to style and preference or amp types. 30 cable in 30 days would be monumental! Go straight from guitar to amp with equal length and compare tones.

[TheYubaYuba]

it might sound like a bit of a nutty idea, but couldnt you get over the whole tone sucking problem by having an active guitar cable, like you get active volume pedals?

[hawg427]

I couldn't believe my ears but the Bullet cable or as Gearmandude calls it, The White coilly cable of goodness. LOL I love my Mogami but they tangle pretty easy.

Great Test TK.

[lmsjr]

@hawg427 Thanks Big Lou. I always appreciate it when you tune in. Agreed on tangling. (Did you see the outtakes :-) ? That is the reason why I ditched the ProCo cables way back when. Even when I went to the studio (those vids that I posted on YT) ... they tangled horribly!! That and ... I didn't realize how noisy they were until I did this test - so I learned quite a bit myself from this video / experience! Have a good weekend bro! Rock ON!

[OliOsbourne]

I think that 1 is more compressed and 2 is warmer

but I'm likely to be wrong

I think that you should have the clip of one cable panned far to the right and the other panned far to the left.

[lmsjr]

@OliOsbourne panning - that's a good idea. Thx for the suggestion!

[antimarxism]

I think it is ridiculous how much decent quality cables cost anyway. I used to work in a music store and got all of my cables at cost. The markup used to be about 400% or more. But even at the high markup, the cables were half the price about 10-15 yrs ago. They mass produce these things and the materials are cheap, so I don't get why the prices are so crazy. I mean most, including Monster, are manufactured with slave labor in China.

[DMSProduktions]

@antimarxism Proof of slave labour? Or your name says it ALL? Ideology before evidence?

[lmsjr]

@DMSProduktions LOL.  How goes it DMS?

[DMSProduktions]

@lmsjr GREAT thanks Lou! Looking 4ward to 30 pedals in 30 days 2011!

Rock on brother!

[antimarxism]

@DMSProduktions I learn what I can from a variety of sources, documentaries, books, etc... I've visited China twice, once recently, once many years ago. Wrote a few essays on China, and have a few business associates there. The slave labor issue isn't a secret, mostly common knowledge, not in dispute by any sources I'm aware of. There are many other dark aspects, surprisingly even darker than slave labor. Maybe you should research.

And BTW, the ad hominem was a major failure.

[DMSProduktions]

@antimarxism Oh really...

[antimarxism]

Coiled guitar cables aren't good for live use. It acts as a trip wire or clothesline, and it can cause bad things to happen. But choosing a color people can see will help to lower that possibility.

[lmsjr]

@antimarxism how cool would it be to trip up the maniacs that run up on stage! Close line em' :-). On a serious note, for a live performance, wireless is probably a good way to go. For a local gig, smaller venues, even recording - where you don't want to loose an once of quality - nothing beats a good cable. in fact - there is a lot of info on the net about buffered and non-buffered inputs that work in tandem w cables. Maybe i should do a video on buffered inputs & true bypass? Anyway thx!

[antimarxism]

@lmsjr Yep, wireless is great sometimes, but batteries are a pain....hehe..

[vileguile4]

I enjoyed it and learned from it! Ty TK :)

[lmsjr]

@vileguile4 Thx vileguile!

[roysyboy]

QUESTION: I have a $50 planet waves cable, it is amazing, but when using pedals i have to also use a cheap piece of shit cable-won't this defeat the purpose of having a high end cable? Should i spend more money on a quality <3foot cable from pedals to amp?

[lmsjr]

@roysyboy My suggestion is to always have 2 good cables on hand. First use case : if you are doing what you noted - guitar to pedals, pedals to amp - it's ideal to have 2 good cables. Even if you plug straight into an amp - if something goes wrong w/ 1 cable - it's always good to have a backup! Cheap cables can get you by, but often times - if it's the wrong cable, and you are using gain, etc ... it can really either suck your tone, or give you unwanted noise. Hope that helps!

[roysyboy]

@lmsjr thanks, yeah I will look for a short quality cable, no need for two 15-20footers- unless I want my pedal board far from my amp- not really a necessity right now. I am getting a bit of noise, especially if a high gain pedal.

[Daemonfury1]

I've actually been looking to get a new cable. Good timing, lol.

[271189a]

the bullet cable lets a light bit of high end frequency through, great test, they do say that the higher end cables can let in a little noise and impede the signal because of the 'noiseless' shielding.

[ryanchatfield1313]

GEORGE L's! PLEASE! THEYRE AMAZING!

[SD011]

Do more science TTK! :) I think I am gonna get one of those Bullet cables, I have a RockCable it is a 23ft (~7m) cable, very good cable but I want a much better than this.

Rock on \m/ >.< \m/

[kamaboko1]

Are you using the new mic's as suggested by the guy from Orange Amps?

[lmsjr]

@kamaboko1 haha - that is going to be the next science project! You obviously joined my live webcast (or watched the playback) !! Thx for watching, and keeping up w/ my vids! Rock ON!!

[ESP4thaWin]

mmkay

[VittorioSergi]

at first listen, it was kinda clear to me that the cheap piece of crap killed avery "sparklyness" in the natural tone of the guitar...i mean looks like eny of the other cables didn't...

[Blargaha]

Science is lost without you Mr King, that was a very well-designed test

[lmsjr]

@Blargaha haha. Thx!!

[richvaca]

what about plant wave!

[JohnTheRipper2]

hey ttk, when is the 30 pedals in 30 days video going to come? can't wait for that :D

[lmsjr]

@JohnTheRipper2 november.

[JohnTheRipper2]

hey ttk, when is the 30 pedals in 30 days video going to come? can't wait for that :D

[BummerCZ]

You told you're a human and thus your picking can't be still the same. But what about to use a looper? Record yourself and then do the switching only! :-)

Thank you for the video.

[lmsjr]

@BummerCZ I actually thought of that. Then I wouldn't have a job :-)

[GuitaristBoi9]

@lmsjr I would agree with @BummerCZ because is more fair using that method

[Sergioterol]

Sorry i'll watch another time, internet is sucking around here

[ThieleM]

In using different cable lengths your test is fundamentally flawed.

[lmsjr]

@ThieleM I guess. I thought of that before shooting - but - noise test can be done w/ any length. What I got out of this was that of two 30 ft cables - one exhibited signal loss, the other did not - and the one that did not sounded just as good as a 10 ft cable. So - despite an experiement that isnt' perfect -I think there were some pretty good take-aways (IMO).

[ThieleM]

@lmsjr

Absolutely. I must say that the idea of using the pedal switcher is brilliant

Doing things like tapping on the cable will really help people to understand that not all cables are created equally. Noise from a cable when I move is one of my greatest dislikes

[Antilevitation]

an explanation for the trebleloss in the bullet and proco could be because they're 30feet, and the advised max. cable length to have no signal loss is 20 feet

[lmsjr]

@Antilevitation 12:45 - I actually heard signal gain, not signal loss ... check it. As for results - I actually thought the 30 ft bullet was on par, if not better than the 10 ft cable.

[Antilevitation]

@lmsjr but maybe that's just because bullet cables rock :P, normally 20feet is the max (or so i heard anyhow), anyhow, i've been wondering why nobody did a decent cablevideo untill now, also; clever idea to use the switcher :D

[lmsjr]

@Antilevitation haha- thx man. I appreciate the kind words. I too thought the pedal switcher was a good way to go. And - the good news - without the switch, and the Fender cables - life gets better - so this is a worst case scenario base-line. Anyway - thx for the kind words! Rock ON!

[MrAGG777]

Being the cable coiled has any diference from the straight ones?

[TheKaappari]

Wow! I could definetly hear some loss of treble in the signal

[MBvolcom92]

very interesting more videos like this please. But as a scientific project , i'm wondering why you didn't put every cable through every test? Just cause a cable doesn't perform well at one test doesn't mean it won't perform well in another.

[lmsjr]

@MBvolcom92 noisy cables (for me) get ruled out right away. I run a lot of my stuff on high gain - and cables that aren't insulated properly are too noisy. For clean - more forgiving. For dirty - can't hide a bad cable.

[abrahamflako11]

Amazing... First comment... good video ;)

[lmsjr]

@abrahamflako11 Thank you abraham!

[SirZozzo]

How about Evidence Audio cable ?