by Martin Kennerknecht
Fiction and Truth
As a continuation of our instrument cable test in tools 4 music, issue 06/2002, we would like to introduce to you three more very up-to-date guitar cables at varying prices.
The test and measurement criteria corresponds to that used in the first comparison. Those interested in details may want to re-read the respective article, e.g. in our online archive under www.t4m-online.de (the issue can also be ordered for 2.50 Euro under redaktion@t4m-online.de).
Cordial
The first “straggler” is called »CCIT-6 PP«. It was developed as part of a low-budget line and is manufactured in China. The average price for this 6 m cable with gold-plated metal plugs on both ends is 10.60 Euro. Unscrewing the black lacquered brass sleeve and cutting open the shrink hose will uncover a traditional strain relief, in form of two metal clamps installed on the ground connector. The soldering quality is good, but mat, suggesting traditional manufacturing. I missed the »safety loops« for the hot and ground conductors, which can prevent a breakaway after a quick strain, before the strain relief becomes active. A testing result slightly higher than average shows that the strain relief is better than its reputation. The solidly glued plastic bend protection surely contributes somewhat, but there also is a small disadvantage: In case of repair it has to be removed without the possibility of replacement. Then again, considering the reasonable price, this isn’t so bad. I was somewhat surprised by the good handling, which I did not expect because of the relatively high stiffness on the outside of the solid PVC- sleeve. The same is true for the flexibility, with the bending radius being quite small. It almost winds and unwinds on its own, however it will not lie on the floor entirely without loops. The shielding value of 117 dB puts the Cordial at the top of the class. This is due to the simple net shielding, combined with the plastic shielding underneath. The capacitive value is a bit high, but not worth being concerned about. According to the manufacturer’s information the CCIT-6 PP emphasizes sound and that requires capacity (also see Workshop »Cable Sound« in tools4 music, issue 2/2002).
Klotz
The »RockMaster« MJPP-06 made by Klotz is candidate number two. We did not purchase it directly from the manufacturer, but via internet order from the Music Store in Cologne. Here is the reason: Because a test in another musicians’ magazine was impending, Klotz was unable to supply us with »the jabs« on time. According to the manufacturer’s information this cable is completely handmade in Germany. However, it is curious that just this quality detail is not stated on the package. Furthermore, »Scorpion«-guitarist Matthias Jabs helped design it, which explains why his photograph is on the package. About 31 Euro have to be handed over for this cable, declared by the industry as being especially noble, whereas the plastic blister package with a lot of advertisement surely is just that. The cables end in two gold-plated metal plugs with red anodized aluminum sleeves. Opening them will unearth a traditional strain relief, consisting of two very wide and solid claws. Unfortunately I found the same drawback as I did on the Cordial: Both conductors are soldered taut, thus providing no safety range for the strain relief. This was reflected in the endurance test: At a mere 161 N the electrical connection on both conductors came undone, even the high mechanical solidity did not help. The soldering underneath the shrink hose is very nice, but not perfect, which indicates either a well-adjusted machine or soldering personnel with poor motivation.
The lead-free(!) PVC-outer sleeve is very soft, contrary to the high bending radius. Besides, the cable is somewhat stubborn to unwind and also tends to loop on the floor, whereas it can be wound up without any problems. A bonus point for the Klotz-cable is its low self-capacitance or 75 pF/m (the package shows the wrong value of 0.75 pF/m), allowing for experiments with external condensers or long cable lengths without a loss in sound. The shielding result is above average at 112 dB, due to a combination of a conductive plastic sleeve with simple net shielding.
Sommer Cable
Candidate number 3, the SE10-0600-SW, is a member of the »Session«-series made by the German cable forgery Sommer Cable, where it also is manufactured manually. The cable yardage is manufactured in the company-own factory in Italy. A cable, 6 m long with two Neutrik-plugs of excellent handling, Type NP2C-BAG, can be bought for 19.90 Euro. After unscrewing the well-tightened tensioning claws on the strain relief, I immediately noticed the two conductor loops, which have a play of about one half centimeter to buffer impulsive strains. The very clean and shiny soldering indicates good material and very disciplined workmanship. This accuracy also accounts for the very good results of 232 N in endurance testing. The Sommer Cable also is the only one with gapping behind the plug (see photograph). No advantage without disadvantage: The low bending radius and the smooth outer PVC-jacket show that this is a very flexible cable, which is immediately rewarded with slight entanglement upon unwinding. But winding is not a problem and floor loops are foreign to the »Session«. As a standard the Sommer Cable also has simple net shielding with plastic shielding on the inside, resulting in a shielding value of 117 dB. The capacitance is relatively high, thus a rather »fat« sound is to be expected.
The Finale
The old and new frontrunner in our overall test is Adam Hall’s »Professional Instrument Cable«, closely followed by the Sommer Cable newcomer from the “Session”-series at an equally interesting price. The Cordial received the same number of points as the Monster, with IMG Stage-Line being in fourth place. As far as the price is concerned it stands on its own, due to the reasonable purchasing price. The expensive cable made by Klotz was somewhat disappointing, when advertising and purchasing price are compared to the naked truth. The pretty red plugs and the very low self-capacitance alone can be seen as a real advantage for this cable, the other properties however do not exceed the average in any way. The bad result of the endurance test surely cannot be contributed to low-value materials, but more likely to poor workmanship. So, it comes in seventh place for performance, sixths place for price.
The technical data of the different instrument cables >>>
Pro & Con
|
Cordial
|
 |
Klotz
|
|
Sommer Cable
|
| + reasonable price + dense shielding + handling - mat soldering |
+ low capacity + optics - price - stability |
+ dense shielding + flexibility + handling + high quality jack plugs + clean soldering - very soft outer jacket |
and this is how evaluation takes place:
In each comparison test the testers will give marks from 0 – 10, with 10 being the top mark. Each criteria listed in the chart affects the performance evaluation to equal parts (here to approx. 14.3 percent). Comparatively reasonably priced products will receive an additional price bonus, in this case a maximum of 14 points (corresponding to 20 percent of the performance evaluation). The distribution of bonus points in detail:
| up to 10 EUR: | |
14 points |
| up to 15 EUR: | 13 points | |
| up to 20 EUR: | 12 points | |
| up to 25 EUR: | 11 points | |
| up to 30 EUR: | 10 points | |
| up to 35 EUR: | 9 points | |
| up to 40 EUR: | 8 points | |
| up to 45 EUR: | 7 points | |
| up to 50 EUR: | 6 points | |
| up to 55 EUR: | 5 points | |
| up to 60 EUR: | 4 points | |
| up to 65 EUR: | 3 points | |
| up to 70 EUR: | 2 points | |
| up to 75 EUR: | 1 point | |
| up to 75 EUR: | 0 point |
The comparative evaluation regarding market prices is stated in category »Price-Value«.
Sales prices
Cordial CCITT-6PP: 10,60 €
Klotz « RockMaster » MJPP-06: 31 €
Sommer Cable SE10-0600-SW: 19,90 €