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Bass Gear Guide

All About Flatwound Strings

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About Flatwound Strings

All About Flatwound Strings…

Without further ado, here is part two of my conversation with GHS’s Jon Moody (View part one here >>> All About Roundwound Strings). In this article, we are going to focus on the finer points of all things flatwound strings.  There is a lot of mystery and misconception on the topic of flats; primarily that they’re just for vintage/old-school tones and fretless bass.  In reality, there is a pretty wide range of instruments, styles, and techniques where flatwound strings can shine, depending on how they are used and towards what goal.  In the last couple of years, I have personally developed a much broader understanding of all of the different ways I can use flats to achieve particular tone goals. At the moment I have a set of flats on my 33-inch scale six string, take that Motown purists!  

Keep going to read Jon’s answers, and comments which are italicized.  

What are flatwounds and how did they first come about?

Perhaps the biggest question about flats is how they differ from roundwound strings, which are generally more common among electric bassists these days.  The main difference, and what gives them a different feel and sound is the difference in cover wire used in the outer wrap.  A flat ribbon wire is wound over the outer ring and then polished smoothAs for which one came first, the flatwounds were here before the roundwounds for bass. As to HOW they came about…. I believe that Rotosound Swing 66s were the first roundwound made for bass.

Are there advantages to flatwound strings?

Flatwounds are very different from Roundwounds and carry their own set of pros/cons to them. For example, a lot of people claim the long-lasting tone of a set of flatwounds as a plus. But those same people say you need to “play in” a set of flats for a couple weeks/months to open them up. 

One thing to note about flatwounds. They seem to be one of the few sets of strings that can vary widely depending on the manufacturer. A set like D’Addario Chromes will sound much brighter and different than GHS Precision Flats, and yet they’re both flatwound strings. It’s common to see players use different sets of flats, to match the tonal flavor they’re going for. 

Are flatwounds just for Motown/vintage-style players or instruments? 

Haha no, but that’s what it’s mostly associated with since that’s what music was being created with them. You can play flatwounds in whatever style of music you’d like. There are even some players that’ll slap with a set of flats.  

What are some of the newer and more interesting versions of flatwounds and how did they come about? 

A “more interesting” version of flatwounds would be the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. By using a different material, they created a set of strings that feels like flatwounds but is bright and lively like roundwounds.

Another interesting set would be the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. What sets these apart is that they’re made from the slant of a double bass string, so they are VERY different from everything else on the market. They have a very low tension feel and speak very evenly across the fretboard. The only concern many have is that the price is easily twice as much as other options. 

Are flatwounds easier on the fingerboard and your fingers? 

Yes, absolutely. Because flatwounds have a smooth surface, they’re not going to be as rough on your fingers or your fingerboard, which is why the typical recommendation is to put flatwounds on a fretless if you’re starting out. 

However, keep in mind that in general terms a vibrating metal string is still going over a wooden fretboard. In the construction world, that’s called a saw. There will always be markings and things from using strings of any kind on a fingerboard. Do not let that be your only concern when choosing strings.

What are tape wounds and what are they for? 

Tapewounds are made by wrapping a nylon material over the string, and then polishing it smooth. This final cover beefs up the gauge, but because it has so little mass, doesn’t affect the tension of the string, resulting in a set of strings that are high in gauge but very low in actual tension. 

As for what they’re for, that’s a great question! Tapes have a softer, subdued high end with a roundish tone. The low tension also gives them a more tubby type of initial attack, which many players equate to what an upright bass might sound like. That’s usually why you’ll see a lot of people recommend using tapewounds for an upright-vibe on an acoustic-electric bass. 

Why do flats feel like they’re higher tension/stiffer? 

The reason is the final cover. Flat ribbon wire lays on the string much like a row of bricks. And because each of the winds lays (mostly) flat against each other with little/no gaps, it creates a string that is harder to get to vibrate and press down to fret. 

Now, what most people forget is that with a stiff set of strings (like flatwounds), it is possible to lower the action more than with a typical set of roundwounds. Not only will this make the strings feel less stiff (since they’ll require less force to fret), but it’ll make the bass, as a whole, much easier to play. 

Do all flats have more fundamental to their sound than roundwounds? 

By and large, yes. 

Who are some of the more famous players who use flats (and maybe some that are surprising given their style or sound)? 

James Jamerson is usually THE standard. But there’s been Pino Palladino, and a bunch of others. I don’t know of many that are “exclusive” flatwound users. Most players have a bass with flats in their stable, as it’s a great tonal addition to anything. My favorite is Steve Harris, rocking a set of flats with Iron Maiden for all these years. 

What is the ratio of round to flat sets that GHS sells? 

Prior to the last five years or so, I would’ve guessed it around a 25:1 ratio. But with the resurgence of more vintage-inspired sounds and music, it’s probably gotten to something closer to a 12:1. I don’t foresee flatwounds ever surpassing roundwounds in sales, but they’re not going anywhere. 

Big thanks to Jon Moody for answering all of my questions and more.  You can find Jon all over social media, and when he’s not working as GHS’s Artist Relations and Brand Development guru, he’s playing a mean bass. Check out his music and his personal webpage at justmoody.com

Bass Gear Guide

Essential Bass Care Tips Every Player Should Know Right Now

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Essential Bass Care Tips Every Player Should Know Right Now

Simple routines that keep your bass sounding great, plus gear that works as hard as you do

How to Keep Your Bass Rig Tight and Tone Ready

I’ve been around stringed instruments since I was a kid (yes, there were a few early accordion years, but let’s skip that chapter for now). One thing I’ve learned is that taking care of your gear is non-negotiable if you want it to feel and sound its best. For example, living in Las Vegas, the dry heat and long summer days are brutal on my basses and guitars, so I rely on humidifiers to keep them happy and hydrated. It’s a small step and investment that keeps my tone consistent, action smooth, and my instruments looking sharp.

Why Regular Bass Maintenance Matters

Basses may feel tough on stage, but sweat, grime, and environmental stress are always working against you. Left unchecked, corrosion hits your hardware, gunk builds up on the fretboard, and wood can dry out or warp. A consistent maintenance routine protects your investment and keeps your bass ready every time you play.

Proven Bass Care Routine That Works

Here’s a simple routine I use and recommend to anyone serious about their bass:

Clean the fretboard and body
Wipe away sweat, oils, and dust after every session. I keep a couple of microfiber and flannel cloths on hand for quick touch-ups.

Condition the fretboard
Natural woods like rosewood and ebony dry out over time, especially in a climate like mine. A light coat of fretboard oil keeps them from cracking.

Protect your strings
Keeping strings clean and lightly lubricated extends life and keeps them smooth under your fingers.

Support your bass during maintenance
A work mat or cradle makes setups and string changes easier and safer for your instrument.

Keep humidity in check
In Las Vegas, a dry day can wreak havoc on your bass. I rely on a case humidifier for every instrument. It keeps wood stable, necks straight, and finishes looking great.

Optional tools for deeper care
For those who like to get hands-on with frets or nuts, there are specialized kits for refinements:

Why These Changes Matter

Consistency is everything. A few minutes of care after each session prevents grime, corrosion, and damage from sneaking up on you. Using the right tools makes the process quick and worry-free. You spend a lot of time getting your sound right; maintenance ensures your bass never misses a note.

Real Player Perspective

Touring bassists and techs will tell you small habits add up fast. One tech told me that players who spend a few minutes each day caring for their bass rarely come back for major repairs. These routines and tools make it simple to keep your bass ready for gigs, sessions, or just jamming at home.

Music Nomad happens to be one of our supporting brands, but I only write about gear I actually use and trust. This article is my honest take.

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Bass Gear Guide

The Best Fender Bass for Every Budget… From First Bass to Pro-Level Workhorse (With Chart!)

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The Best Fender Bass for Every Budget… From First Bass to Pro-Level Workhorse (With Chart!)
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Check out the Fender Bass chart at the end of this article!

If there’s one name that shows up again and again in bass history, studio sessions, and live stages around the world, it’s Fender.

From beginners buying their very first instrument to touring pros who rely on the same bass night after night, Fender basses have a reputation for being reliable, familiar, and easy to love. They show up everywhere…on classic recordings, in modern studios, and on stages of every size. But with so many models (and price points), the real question becomes…

Let’s break it down… no hype, no sales pitch… just real-world guidance for bass players.

If you’re new to bass, here’s the good news… you don’t need anything fancy to get great tone.

The Fender Player Series is often the best place to start. These basses are made in Mexico and deliver classic Fender feel without the sticker shock of American-made models.

The big decision comes down to this:

Precision Bass: One pickup. Simple controls. Thick, punchy tone. If you’re into rock, punk, worship, or blues, the P Bass just works.

VIEW >>> Fender Player II Precision Bass

Jazz Bass: Slimmer neck. Two pickups. More tonal flexibility. Great for funk, jazz, pop, or slap-heavy playing.

VIEW >>> Fender Player II Jazz Bass

Why beginners love them:

  • Comfortable necks
  • Familiar Fender tone
  • Easy to resell or upgrade later

Once you’ve been playing for a while, you start noticing things like:

  • How your bass sits in the mix.
  • How flexible the tone controls are.
  • Whether your instrument can handle different gigs without fighting you.

That’s where the Fender Player Plus Series comes in.

These basses take everything players like about the Player Series and push it a step further with:

  • Active electronics
  • Noiseless pickups
  • Sleeker, more modern neck profiles

If you’re juggling rehearsals, gigs, recording sessions, or worship services, Player Plus basses give you extra tonal control without losing that familiar Fender vibe.

VIEW >>> Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass

VIEW >>> Fender Player Plus Active Jazz Bass

Why intermediate players upgrade to Player Plus:

  • More tone-shaping options
  • Cleaner sound in noisy environments
  • Great balance of price and performance

Love old-school Fender tone but don’t love vintage price tags? You’re not alone.

The Fender Vintera Series is designed to capture specific eras of Fender history… right down to pickup voicing, neck shapes, and visual details.

These basses are ideal if you’re chasing:

  • Classic rock warmth
  • Motown-style thump
  • Early funk or soul tones

VIEW >>> Fender Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass

(For Jazz Bass fans, additional Vintera Jazz models can be found via Fender’s Jazz Bass collection.)

They feel a little different under the fingers than modern Fender basses… and for many players, that’s the whole point.

Why players love Vintera models:

  • Authentic vintage vibe
  • Passive electronics
  • Big tone without collector pricing

If your bass is part of your livelihood, consistency matters.

The Fender American Professional II series is built for players who gig regularly, record often, or tour hard. These basses are made in the USA and feel refined without being flashy.

You’ll notice:

  • Comfortable “Deep C” neck profiles
  • V-Mod II pickups with clarity and punch
  • Excellent fit and finish across the board

VIEW >>> American Professional II Precision Bass

VIEW >>> American Professional II Jazz Bass Collection

These are basses you can pull out of the case and trust… night after night.

Why pros rely on them:

  • Studio-ready tone
  • Road-tested durability
  • Long-term value

Not every bassist wants to spend thousands on an instrument, and you don’t have to.

Squier by Fender, especially the Classic Vibe Series, has come a long way. These basses are affordable, playable, and sound far better than their price suggests.

They’re great for:

  • Beginners on a tight budget
  • Backup basses
  • Modding projects

VIEW >>> Squier Electric Basses (Classic Vibe Precision & Jazz)

Why Squier still gets love:

  • Incredible bang for the buck
  • Classic Fender designs
  • Perfect “first Fender” experience
Model Best For Key Features Why Players Choose It Link
Player II Precision Bass Beginners, rock & blues players Passive pickup, simple controls, classic P-Bass tone Easy to play, sits perfectly in a mix View on Fender
Player II Jazz Bass Funk, jazz, pop, slap styles Dual pickups, slimmer neck, tonal flexibility More tone options, fast neck feel View on Fender
Player Plus Active Precision Bass Gigging & intermediate players Active electronics, noiseless pickups More control across different venues View on Fender
Player Plus Active Jazz Bass Versatile, modern bassists Active EQ, noiseless Jazz pickups Clean tone with extra shaping options View on Fender
Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass Vintage tone lovers Era-correct pickups, vintage neck feel Classic sound without vintage prices View on Fender
American Professional II Precision Bass Working professionals USA-made, V-Mod II pickups, premium hardware Reliable, studio-ready, tour-worthy View on Fender
Squier Classic Vibe Series Budget-conscious players Classic Fender designs, affordable pricing Great tone at a beginner-friendly price View on Fender

So… Which Fender Bass Should You Choose?

Here’s the short version:

  • Just starting out? Player Series
  • Gigging regularly? Player Plus or American Pro II
  • Chasing vintage tone? Vintera Series
  • On a budget? Squier Classic Vibe

The best Fender bass isn’t about spending the most money… It’s about finding the instrument that fits your hands, your ears, and your goals as a bass player.

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Bass Gear Guide

Bass Setup: How Dylan Desmond Get’s His Sound On Stygian Bough Vol. II

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Bass Setup: How Dylan Desmond Get's His Sound On Stygian Bough Vol. II

Revered bassist Dylan Desmond, known for his work with the critically acclaimed doom metal band BELL WITCH, has reunited with fellow doom act AERIAL RUIN for their second collaborative release, Stygian Bough Vol. II, which arrived on November 14th via Profound Lore.

About the Album…

In our human minds, according to the Law of Contagious Magic as described in The Golden Bough by anthropologist James Frazer, contact between two objects creates an inseparable thread between them. A gift from a dead friend forever holds this magic like a scar reflecting a wound. Similarly, a piece of food that touches the floor is suddenly abject and rotten. Pairing this notion with the Law of Similarity Magic, as described by Frazer, where an object resembling another can share its power, a musical notion can be understood to serve as an unbodied conduit of such magics; an emotional contact between the music and audience wherein such sorcery threads an inseparable seam that, for a time, resembles each other.

Aptly named in reference to the aforementioned book, on Stygian Bough Volume II, the collaboration between Bell Witch (Dylan Desmond, Jesse Shreibman) and Aerial Ruin (Erik Moggridge) enlivens its unbodied presence, resembling both collaborating projects as a conduit in its own separate entity. In the course of an hour, four musical pieces set themselves apart from the catalogs of both individual bands and branch into new territory, all the while threaded to the original encounter.

DYLAN’S BASS SETUP:

Ibanez BTB747 bass guitar
into
Lehle Volume pedal
into
Pettyjohn Compressor
into
Soursound ABCD splitter/effect loop
into

Channel 1
Benedict V1 distortion
Strymon DECO Tape
Strymon El Capistan delay
Strymon Bluesky reverb
Verellen Loucks
Sunn 4×12

Channel 2
Skreddy Pig Mine distortion
Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl chorus
Strymon El Capistan delay
Strymon Bluesky reverb
Ampeg V4 (70’s)
Lahar 4×12

Channel 3
Skreddy Perestroika
Ampeg SVT II
Ampeg 8×10

In Bell Witch I’ve always approached the bass guitar with the idea of recreating a bass/dual guitar trio on one instrument. To do this, I play the bass lines with my left hand and tap melodies on the right similar to a piano or Chapman Stick. I split my signal into three amplifiers –
1. SVT II representing bass and low frequencies. This one has minimal effects
2. Ampeg V4 representing the spectrum of mids with modulation and reverb
3. Verellen Loucks representing upper mids and highs with modulation and reverb.

The two guitar amps combined with different modulation patterns create a “doubling” or “dual mono” effect in the mid and high frequencies. Magic can happen in a live performance in instances such as one guitar amp falling into feedback while the other sustains a fretted note.

I’ve generally played on a six-string bass but the past few years I’ve gotten comfortable with a seven string. The extra high allows for notes to scream through like an electric guitar might in its upper registers.

I’m playing melody and bass lines simultaneously through three effect chains routed through a not-so-simple device I had custom-made by Soursounds in Portland, Oregon. It is a Phase Linear Distribution Amplifier, which is made to isolate and distribute signal between four outputs and a DI from one input. A few of the purposes it serves:
1. Splits signal from 1 to 4 sources
2. amplifies each source to compensate for loss of signal in split
3. has an effect loop for each channel, allowing all 4 channels to activate distortion at once instead of needing to each individual pedal.
4. can mute, change phase, change ground etc.
5. Has a DI

This device allows me to split my signal amongst three signal chains, while also sending a DI to FOH. Each chain is tailored to interact and complement the others with the speed/depth of chorus/flanger modulation, delays, reverb etc.

Visit Online:

Bell Witch – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Aerial Ruin – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Stygian Bough: Vol 1 Stream:  Bandcamp | Youtube | Spotify | Apple Music

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Bass Gear Guide

Beginner Bass Guitars and Essential Gear for Kids & Teens… A Parent’s Guide

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Beginner Bass Guitars and Essential Gear for Kids & Teens… A Parent's Guide

Beginner Bass Guitars and Essential Gear for Kids & Teens… Wishlist Suggestions

Have a child interested in taking up the bass? Check out these beginner bass guitars + essential gear to help them get started.

I was chatting with my brother on the phone the other day and he mentioned that he was getting one of my teenage nephews a bass for Christmas. The young man is currently showing great interest and my brother and I both believe in cultivating musical abilities.

This conversation made me remember how clueless I was when getting our son started on saxophone, as it is not my own instrument of choice. It would have been great if we could have had a list of everything we would need to get him started on the right track.

This article contains a list of suggestions to help you in navigating gear if your child is asking for a bass guitar.

Once you start looking, you will most likely be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of possibilities to choose from! I have tried to narrow this list down to more budget-friendly options, but still with decent quality and reliability to make the process easier.

One of the main considerations is that most children who start playing a musical instrument either change their minds as to what they want to play or quit altogether.

The delicate balance is finding a combination of a cost-effective rig but also one that sounds good and encourages them to go to the next level.

Even if your youngster doesn’t pursue a career in music, it has been shown that children benefit greatly from a musical education.

Another consideration you will want to keep in mind is what kind of music they want to play and their personality. Face it, they already are seeing themselves performing and want to look cool for their friends, so it is important to take that into account as well.

Now, I am aware that there are “Bass Starter kits” out there but I find them to be wanting in one way or another. They do make it easier, but the goal here is to facilitate the musical growth environment and I think they could be better.

Here is my list of bass gear if I were going to put together a bass starter package for my child:

(Prices are valid at the time of writing and are subject to change)

4-STRING BASSES (Under $200)

TIP: 4-string basses are the most common. And as the neck is narrower, it can be easier to learn/manage for those just getting started.

  • Ibanez Gio GSR100EX Bass Guitar – [VIEW] $199.99
    This is a very simple but effective member of the Soudgear Series basses. The Oil finish won’t show dings and dents as much as a glossy one, The slim neck will work great for smaller hands but this still has a full-length scale.
  • Jackson Spectra JS2 Bass Guitar – [VIEW] $199.99
    Here we have a metallic blue finish, full-scale jazz bass with a slim neck profile, and jumbo frets. This one sports a gloss finish.
  • Squier Mini Precision Electric Bass – [VIEW] $149.99
    This is a good choice for the smaller players as it is about 3/4 the size of the full-scale models. You can’t go wrong with a P-bass with a split single coil pickup.

STRAPS

TIP: A strap that is 3 inches wide or more helps to better distribute bass weight.

  • D’Addario 3″ Padded Woven Bass Guitar Strap – [VIEW] $16.99
  • Levy’s M26PD-BLK Top Grain Leather Guitar Strap – [VIEW] $29.99
  • Gruv Gear SoloStrap Neo – 4″-wide Neoprene Guitar Strap – [VIEW] $64.99

GIG BAGS

TIP: These make carrying a bass easy as they can be worn in backpack style.

  • Gator Economy Gig Bag – [VIEW] $29.99
  • Fender FBSS-610 Short-scale Bass Gig Bag – [VIEW] $59.99
  • Ibanez PowerPad Designer IBB541 Electric Bass Gig Bag – [VIEW] $99.99

CABLES

TIP: Should be at least 10 feet long and keep in mind where the output is located in case you need to choose a right-angled version.

  • D’Addario PW-CGTPRO-10 Classic Pro Straight to Straight Instrument Cable – [VIEW] $14.99
  • Pro Co EGL-10 Excellines Straight to Right Angle Instrument Cable – [VIEW] $13.99
  • Fender 0990820092 Deluxe Series Straight to Straight Instrument Cable – [VIEW] $27.99

Want to know more about bass cables? Check out this article on Bass Musician: Opening a Can of Worms… 5 Bass Players Take on 15 Instrument Cables For An Unscientific Analysis

STRINGS

TIP: The bass will have a set on when you purchase, but having a fresh set can enhance the experience enormously.

  • Fender 7250M Nickel Plated Steel Long Scale Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.105 Medium – [VIEW] $13.25
  • DR Strings MR-45 Hi-Beam Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.105 Medium – [VIEW] $19.99
  • D’Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.100 Regular Light Long Scale – [VIEW] $21.99

There is a LOT more to strings than meets the eye! Have a look at the following Bass Musician articles for more information on bass strings: All About Roundwound Strings | All About Flatwound Strings | Cool ‘How to’ – Changing Strings On a Sadowsky Bass | Bass Health – Things to Think About When Adding Strings

TUNER

TIP: Playing in tune makes it so much better for everyone!

  • Snark SN-1X Guitar and Bass Tuner – [VIEW] $13.89
  • D’Addario PW-CT-17CBK Eclipse Cello/Bass Tuner – [VIEW] $14.99
  • Korg AW-LT100B Clip-on Bass Tuner – [VIEW] $29.99

AMP

TIP: Start with at least a 10-watt practice amp. If they decide to play in public you will have to figure out how much air you want to push.

  • Positive Grid Spark Mini Portable Combo Amp – [VIEW] $229.00
    This little guy doesn’t take up much space and has a ton of features to offer >>> check out our review here
  • Fender Rumble 25 1×8″ 25-watt Bass Combo Amp – [VIEW] $77.99
  • Hartke HD15 1×6.5″ 15-watt Bass Combo Amp – [VIEW] $129.99

HEADPHONES

TIP: A decent pair of headphones will let them hear themselves clearly and spare the rest of the family.

  • Samson SR550 Closed-back Studio Headphones – [VIEW] $39.99
  • JBL Lifestyle Tune 500 Wired On-ear Headphone with 1-Button Remote/Mic – [VIEW] $24.95
  • Sennheiser HD400S Folding Closed-back Headphones with Smart Remote – [VIEW] $49.95

INSTRUMENT STAND

TIP: Makes it easy to remember to practice if your student can see their bass all the time.

  • Gator Frameworks GFW-GTR-1000 Single Guitar Stand – [VIEW] $16.98
  • Hercules Stands GS200B EZ Pack Guitar Stand – [VIEW] $23.49
  • Fender Universal A-frame Electric Stand – [VIEW] $59.99

INSTRUCTION

TIP: I HIGHLY suggest looking for a teacher in your local area to help your child get started with the best habits from the beginning… it can be hard to ‘un-learn’ bad habits!

  • If looking for an easy book to get them started, check out Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Band – Electric Bass Book 1 with EEi – [VIEW] $12.99

All items in this article are currently available at Sweetwater.com

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Bass Gear Guide

Opening a Can of Worms… 5 Bass Players Take on 15 Instrument Cables For An Unscientific Analysis

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Opening a Can of Worms… 5 Bass Players Take on 15 Instrument Cables For An Unscientific Analysis
PR Sample

Opening Photo courtesy of: kirlincableshop.com

Instrument Cables…

I seem to enjoy finding myself in the middle of contentious topics among bassists, because here I am comparing instrument cables, which has long been a touchy subject for those with differing beliefs about the importance of instrument cables for electric bass. Do they really sound different from one another? Are expensive cables worth it? Is someone a chump for spending $X on a cable?  (and other longstanding tropes).  These are murky waters, and I wade carefully.   

Let’s first separate out the tangibles from the subtle: 

Some cables come with lifetime warranties, some don’t. Some utilize unquestionably higher quality connectors and materials than others. Some just feel more rugged and durable, some have heat shrink strain-relief covers on the connectors, abrasion-resistant “tech flex” outer layers etc…

From there, things get a little more esoteric. “Low strand count”, “cross braided tin copper shielding”, “increased grain linearity”, “Precision foamed polyethylene dielectric”. Do you know what any of this functionally means?  If so, congratulations, most of us don’t have a functional knowledge of conductivity and the physics of electrical engineering.  

Now, I’m not saying all of these assertions are purely marketing hyperbole, to the contrary, they literally are explaining what may make their product different from the crowd.   But, as always, I’m not a lab tech, I’m a player.  I don’t have the tools (or the desire) to put cables through rigorous bench testing apparatus. it’s just not where my interests or my strengths are.

When I thought of how I could be of value to this conversation…

…the best thing I could think to do was to get a small group of local bassists who I trust, some astoundingly good and highly seasoned players with lots of live and studio experience, but also those who have excellent ears and impeccable tone, for some good old-fashioned double-blind testing.  I thought it would be mighty interesting to hear their reactions to a handful of high-end and budget instrument cables and see what, if any, themes, and trends rise to the surface.  

I invited a handful of cable manufacturers to submit their products for this process and we had a blast listening and critiquing each cable against one another. 

We tested everything from a $12.50 Rapco all the way up to a $220 Analysis Plus cable and a whole lot in between.  Testing was done with an active 5-string Fodera Emperor Standard (EQ flat and tone wide open), Eich T-900 amplifier (set flat) and a Bergantino 2×10 cab with the tweeter at noon. 

We first decided we should choose a “control” cable, one that we could refer back to when we couldn’t tell if our ears were deceiving us, or if the last thing we listened to was distorting our objectivity, so we came back to the control a number of times during the process.  The group selected a Mogami Gold, as it was a familiar reference point for most of us. 

Here is the list of cables we tested:  

CHART - Opening a Can of Worms… 5 Bass Players Take on 15 Instrument Cables For An Unscientific Analysis

As we cycled through these at random, I played each for a bit (the same line or two over and over) as consistently as possible, and the fellas commented on what they heard.  

Everyone’s perceptions are their own, and I/we are by no means the arbiters of any objective truth, I’m just doing my best to explore what I feel is a subtle but important component in a bassist’s playing experience:  

  • Some of the less expensive cables like the Rapco, ProCo and Hosa’s had a more “EQ’d sounding” and forward-accentuated high end, which some of the primarily live players thought might actually be more ideal for cutting through a busy mix on a loud stage.
  • Some of the higher-end cables traded a bit of this articulate “spanky” high-end for more integration in the midrange, cleaner, less “congested” lows and general transparency overall.  The mainly studio players among us tended to favor some of these, while the primarily live gigging players’ ears were drawn toward the cables with more audible bite.   This, to me, is not surprising, given the goals of each type of player.
  • One factor that wasn’t captured in this double-blind listening test was the concept of how a cable “feels” as a player experience, vs. how it sounds as a third-party listener. As the guy who played through all of these cables many times, I can attest that some cables felt faster, with a wider dynamic range, whereas others felt slower or more compressed to the touch. I do agree that this was more palpable as a player’s experience, as opposed to a listener’s. This is actually a big can of worms, as we often ask ourselves as testers or players “Yeah it kinda sounds xyz but is anyone gonna hear that on a gig?”.  Well, if you FEEL that on a gig, that’s not nothing, regardless of whether the drunk frat party at table 6 is knocked out by your stellar bass tone.  Your experience with your instrument and your sound as a player is super important, and will affect the way you perform, and likely how much you enjoy the experience.  That’s true for me anyways.  

Well, let’s get down to it, In the category of bass instrument cables, the Oscars go to: 

Standout favorites – most universally well-loved cables for their overall tonal qualities:  Lava Ultramafic, Asterope, Tsunami, Hosa Edge

Most articulate sounding – those with the most enunciated or present high end: Evidence Audio Lyric HG, Lava Ultramafic, Hosa edge, Rapco Player series 

“Biggest” sounding – those with the fullest and largest sonic image: Colossal Sweet Fats, Asterope, Rattlesnake

If I had to pick the Top 3 as collectively indicated by the group for sound quality?  Probably these: 

  • Asterope:  “It had a certain clean, crisp yet warm character” that pretty much everyone loved right off the bat and kept referring to as a benchmark.   This was my favorite-sounding cable of the bunch, all things considered. 
  • Lava Ultramafic: “Super quick sounding, very clear in the lower and upper octaves”, “Nice build quality, perfect blend of beefy but not bulky feeling”. 
  • Evidence Audio Lyric HG: “Really nice high end, lots of presence but not “poky” like some are up there”, “Very cohesive from top to bottom with excellent clarity”. 

Best value MVP’s:  

  • Hosa Edge:  Great sound with clear highs and balanced mids and lows, Neutrik connectors, lifetime warranty. A lot of bang for $44.  
  • Rattlesnake Snakehead: Very “big” sounding with “bone-rattling” low-end definition and good integration, at a competitive price point and with a lifetime warranty. 

Some interesting and notable comments shared by the group:

  • Control (Mogami): Dark, dry, a bit sterile, but well integrated.
  • Lava Retro Silent Coil: “has a “spongy” sound to it.” “Almost like you put tubes in the head”.
  • Zaolla Silverline: “Quick and clear, uncolored, highs and mids are well connected”
  • Proco Evolution: “Ballsy in the low mid and low frequencies. Slower transients than some”

So, where is all this going? 

Well, basically, that it’s apparent to me and the testers I enlisted that cables do indeed sound and feel different. 

The trick is that what is “best” is highly subjective, and we all have different definitions of what that means.  For some, it’s a ratio of cost to performance, for others, it’s reliability, for some it’s what simply sounds the best to their ears. But what even is THAT?  More high-end articulation?  Stronger lows?  Smoother midrange?  It’s clear that we’re all working with a different set of preferences, and that these preferences are based on our experience, our likes and dislikes, and the applications we find ourselves in.  

I hope this long-winded and admittedly anecdotal analysis proves to be of some educational value to you. I sure enjoyed the process and look forward to the next muddy puddle of provocative topics that I find myself in. 

Got some thoughts on this? 

Drop me a line on social media, you can find me on FB @Jake Wolf and Instagram @jakebwolf, I’d love to hear from you.

And huge thanks to all of the companies who participated, and sent us cables for testing:

Analysis Plus Yellow Oval: analysis.plus/product/yellow-oval/
Asterope Bass Cable: asterope.com/custom-shop/pro-bass-series
Colossal Sweet Fats: colossalcable.com/cables/sweet-fats/
Evidence Audio Lyric HG: evidenceaudio.com/products/the-lyric-hg-guitar-cable
Hosa Edge: hosatech.com/products/analog-audio/instrument-cables/hosa-edge-guitar/cgk-000/
Lava Ultramafic: lavacable.com/product/533/lava-ultramafic
Lava Retro Silent Coil: lavacable.com/product/530/lava-retro-coil
Proco Evolution: rapcohorizon.com/category/117/evolution-instrument
Rattlesnake Snakehead: rattlesnakecables.com/products/snake-head-rattlesnake-cable/
Rapco Instrument cables: rapcohorizon.com/category/49/instrument-cables
Tsunami Instrument Cable: tsunami-cables.square.site/
Zaolla Silverline: zaolla.com/products/zgt-000

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