Something I noticed on a MONSTER instrument cable I just got

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Fret-Shredder

Fret-Shredder

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MONSTER cable question...There is an arrow pointing the SIGNAL FLOW on the cable. I've never seen that on a cable before. Is there a reason for this? I tried GOOGLE and found some thread about this cable is designed to prevent grounding issues or something to that effect. Is it B.S. or not? If its true then which direction should the arrow point... From my guitar to the Amp or from the Amp to the guitar. Thanks

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The electrons get confused which way to go if they don't have the arrows?
 
jkdsteve":keirsmw5 said:
The electrons get confused which way to go if they don't have the arrows?
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Here is what Monster says. I just figured it was something proprietary they do with their cables:

"This is done for shielding purposes only, a design where we do not solder the shield on the signal's destination. This ensures that any noise picked up by the shield will not be transmitted into your signal path."
 
On one hand, it's BS. On the other hand, MAYBE the cable is shielded and the shield is connected to ground at one end of the cable, but not the other. And that ground connection is supposed to ground to the input jack of the amp? That's the only way it makes sense to me. Kinda like shielded coax you might use INSIDE the amp and how it's always grounded at one end but not the other.
 
My Planet Waves cable has labels on either jack, one for the guitar one for the amp, same concept I believe.
 
But it only works if your input jack has a connection to circuit ground—specifically, the actual outside barrel/nut that the cable plug makes contact with.
 
Not sure if it's a conspiracy theory--if I had calipers, I would measure it, but I've heard that Monster uses a slightly larger diameter barrel on their 1/4" connectors so that they slightly loosen the jack. When you try another properly sized cable, it feels loose and the connection can be intermittent, which means you either need to keep using a Monster cable, or replace the jack.

Not sure if it's true or a myth.

This signal flow thing is utter bullshit, though.

edit: or maybe the signal flow thing isn't a myth.
 
My lava cables are directional due to the ground being at the amp input and not at the instrument end. Seems logical to me.
 
When interconnecting grounded equipment lower noise is usually achieved if the shield at the receiving end of the cable is not connected. If the cable shield is connected to ground at both ends a ground loop can be created.

A ground loop allows noise currents to flow in the cable shield. This current then couples to the center conductor.

So, in this case, it's not snake oil. However I would NOT recommend using a cable like this between a guitar and amp. You want both ends of the shield connected in this case because the guitar is not earthed.

There are cables designed for guitar to amp use that have three conductors. The inner conductors carry the signal and the shield is only connected at the amp end.
 
Weird RF noises such as cell phones, radio stations, CB's, etc.. typically ride in on the shield. This is why you sometimes find a small ceramic cap on the shield at the isolated input of some guitar amps. This shunts those signals to ground.

Your cable probably has three or more conductors, a shield, a ground, and signal.

I would say the arrows are pointing away from the plug that has the shield grounded. This makes you the object that is absorbing the RF noise (while you are touching the guitar strings).

The Arrows should be pointing to your amp.


BTW, I always consider anything "monster" overpriced, and gimmicky.
 
psychodave":u3paiivh said:
My lava cables are directional due to the ground being at the amp input and not at the instrument end. Seems logical to me.
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Logical yes, necessary no.
 
dirtyfunkg":35512hz0 said:
Not sure if it's a conspiracy theory--if I had calipers, I would measure it, but I've heard that Monster uses a slightly larger diameter barrel on their 1/4" connectors so that they slightly loosen the jack. When you try another properly sized cable, it feels loose and the connection can be intermittent, which means you either need to keep using a Monster cable, or replace the jack.

Not sure if it's true or a myth.

This signal flow thing is utter bullshit, though.

edit: or maybe the signal flow thing isn't a myth.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that. I have a monster cable that I use and my number one guitar has started an annoying issue of the cable falling out, to the point that I have to wind the excess around my strap (I have always done this part), but then cinch it up tight to the body, so the cable is taught to the body. No issue with replacing the jack, except it's a dual piezo, stereo jack, that requires a lot more fine soldering.
 
No need to replace any jacks. Just bend the contact back in place.
 
LP Freak":25a00hml said:
psychodave":25a00hml said:
My lava cables are directional due to the ground being at the amp input and not at the instrument end. Seems logical to me.
Click to expand...
Logical yes, necessary no.
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Agreed!
 
Pete Cornish cables have always been directional and the plugs are labelled accordingly.
B.S. or not.. I trust Pete knows what he's doing.
 
It's a shielding thing. I've tested both ways and don't notice much of a difference but maybe at high volumes with a noisy rig it makes more of a difference? There are pages upon pages on this topic on other forums with many attempts at proving it false or fact. Most people think it's BS but if Cornish thinks it's something then that gives it some credibility in my opinion.
 
Markedman":2zcs96cv said:
Monster cables are bigger and do ruin input jacks!
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True. My Ibanez S540 doesn't even ACCEPT the Monster cables that I have (and hardly use, after finding out what crazy high capacitance they have and upgraded since to Klotz LaGrange and Sommer Spirit XXL cables.)
 
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