| Author | Message | ||
| hendixclarke
Advanced Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 201 Registered: 6-2007 |
5 pin XLR wins with me hands down, over the 1/4 single cable connection option. The DS-5R is a bonus and worth every dime to continue the attention. The 1/4 cable is so "trouble-some" and they don't lock/snap in place like XLR. The only assurance or feadback you get when using 1/4, is the physical response from the slots connecting the tips of the cable's end. If the internal parts "female" are worn; the connection are in most cases, are prone "weak" and repairs will soon be necessary. XLR are stable and they don't roll around wearing down the internal connection(s)/parts. Snap, and BAM (Just like that!) I love my Series 1 XLR and I use it 100% of the time. This is a very important reason why I own an Alembic and I would never be fooled by anyone telling me anything different. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1342 Registered: 12-2002 |
Yeah they do but be careful i'm on my third cable in 28 years of playing my alembic! | ||
| hendixclarke
Advanced Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 202 Registered: 6-2007 |
Yeah, thats nothing compared to the amount of wear ant tear and "damage" a 1/4" cable does to you bass. The 1/4" cable short out in approximately 1-5 years anyway (or at least, should be replaced). 1/4" cables are great for patching amps and other stable devices because: "they are used on stable appliances". As for the number of times I replaced 1/4" cables in my 38 years of playing basses and electric guitars; I could afford a new axe. With the 1/4" I had to also repair shorts and contact problems from "inside" those instruments including my Alembics, and who love going "under the hood" into my Alembic? NOT ME! Fixing problem on the Alembic, means shelling out some long and hard dollars and we are talking about surgery cost now. In my opinion, and based upon my experience, now I can say: " 1/4" should NOT had ever been used for moving intruments in the first place." I really think there's more work to do in changing and rewriting the definition of the next cable system. I don't mind "even" looking at wireless options, which are also a better solution than 1/4" cable "wire" methods. A wireless option for Alembic supports the 1/4" framework. Maybe this is the answer for those who don't have XLR options on their basses. Never the less, In my 38 years of playing, I would still rather change a cable than replace my bass internal contacts and sockets. Besides, I always keep extra cables anyway, and I am sure you and others do the same thing too. Now, this is what I would love to see happen at Alembic, in future basses... Make XLR 5 a standard on all Alembic basses or even perhaps, use another cable jack/socket system similar to XLR locking (no more swivelling) but conforms to 1/4" physical connection which prevents again, internal rolling (swiveling)and wearing out internal contacts. This new locking mechanism could be at the base of the guitar and still comforms with 1/4" male ends. Even if such a better 1/4" cable locking was created, XLR would still be, in my opinion, the best you can get. Never the less, for people not wanting to part with their 1/4", and yet they want to circumvent the problems of replacing internal parts from the damage 1/4" causes, a 1/4" locking system would help to some degree and make some degree of sense. But, why should I hope for this dream, when XLR's 100% resolves my concerns. If you find anything better than XLR methods, those methods would be light years ahead of the "horse and buggy switch/patch design" of the 1/4" cable switches indeed  . The XLR 5 is what made Alembic a cut above all other basses and the hardware itself, is not hard on your bass nor likely to wear parts out as fast. My Alembic bass was made in 76, and it still has the original switchcraft male pins in tact with no problems. I hope Alembic adds XLR to all their lines of basses for I am sure people would convert to the magic of 5 pins basses. Then again, what do I care, I have mine and it works for me. People will enjoy what they feel works for themselves just like me. I just wanted to show the physical damage 1/4" cables do "in-comparison" to XLR cables. ROCK-ON! | ||
| briant
Member Username: briant Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2004 |
90% of the time I use a wireless when I play live. Even on stages where it is a little ridiculous (because of small size) because it's just nice to not have a cord in the way to step on. That said I still wind up wearing out input jacks on most of my basses. The only one that I don't is my JPJ because the jack is on the front face of the instrument. All other input jacks are down near the base of the body in that fairly standard location. Fine and dandy if you're going to stand still and not move. I like to move around. A lot. The cable end winds up banging against my leg a lot which inevitably causes it to fail. I’ve replaced more input jacks than anything on all my instruments over the last 15 years. A design “feature” that was a necessity when Mica laid out the electronics for my Rogue is actually going to be wonderful. The control cavity is very crowded since I’ve got three more knobs on my Rogue than a standard one and the body/control cavity are the standard size. Thus the input jack is much further up towards the strap button. It will be well out of the way of my leg when I’m moving around so it won’t suffer the constant abuse. Huge happy times. | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 302 Registered: 2-2005 |
Gee, I've never had to replace an input jack. Is there something wrong w/ me? One thing I regret is not ordering my bass "series electronics ready" for a future conversion. Oh well. The Anniversary Electronics are great, though. Is the series sound so much better? What's really the difference? | ||
| hendixclarke
Advanced Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 203 Registered: 6-2007 |
HB3, your Alembic is solid and in terms of sound, your question is outside my scope of discussion. Again, this discussion is about hardware not sound. If you want to discuss sound comparisons or quality between XLR vs 1/4 jacks, then you need to create a whole nother topic. But personally, if 1/4 was all my Alembic supported, then I would live with it and still be happy. But, with the option of both, XLR wins with me hands down and thats an extra cost to those who feel it is necessary as I believed and paid the price for the better system. Sound is a matter of personal taste, and I am not "going to go there..." This topic is again, about the physical problems of 1/4" therein... XLR systems should be limited to only series basses, in my opinion. Again, I don't see why all Alembic basses can be standardized with XLR systems regardless to pickups. "Let's think ouside the box, a little..." But in terms of the realities of your bass, here and now; "I believe your bass is the "best" 1/4" system on the planet. BAR NONE!" You have an ALEMBIC for GOD sakes! | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 304 Registered: 2-2005 |
Yeah, I'll go w/ that. |
