Static build-up in high end cables?

[fatback]

Here's a question I haven't seen put forth here before:

Has anyone noticed static charges building up in cables?

I live in a carpeted apartment, (with a cat that likes to rub and roll over everything,) and have noticed someting interesting. While using either of my Evidence lyric cables I have heard significant handliing noise, (pops and cracks,) build up over time. The cheap generic cables I have don't seem to have this issue. Once the handling noise builds up, coiling and uncoiling the cable a few times seems to get rid of it. (Twirling the chord like a lasso also get's the job done, but seems to cause a bit too much havoc in my small space. ) A buddy recently told me to just ground the cable ends to the stove for a second and that should do the trick also, but I haven't tried this yet. Too bad I'm not playing in the kitchen anymore these days.


So my fellow TGP'er Mythbusters, I leave it to you...

Static buildup in high-end cable: Fact or Fiction?

[VoodooBlues]

bump

[landru64]

is it lyric or lyric hg?

[Matt Gordon]

Funny about the kitchen! When I was in college, I had a bed (matress on the floor) and an old school desk in the kitchen. Other than that, it was all gear. Glad I'm not alone! THe Mogami has really good shielding - at the cost of higher capacitance - than most high-end cable, which tends to be very low-capacitance. I'm into Scott Henderson pretty much, and I do what he does by keeping the guitar cable no more than six or seven feet to the first floor effect. I've tried the ultra low stuff and love it for bass. Just can't bond with it for guitar tho. I do notice a little over sensitivity in the high-end stuff.

[fullerplast]

I think the difference may be that the HG's (and many other high end cables) have the shield connected to only one side. This is often a Good Thing, but in some cases like this or with certain pedals and switches it can be a Bad Thing. Try reversing the cable and see if that helps your static problem.

[eaudio]

I'll go out on a limb and assume it is the Lyric and not the Lyric HG.

No myth really. But your experience is a bit unique and can't be said to be expected from all 'hi-end' cables.

'hi-end' cables which are so defined by using better materials can be subject to greater microphonics and triboelectric noise. Triboelectric noise is the build up and discharge of static electricity into the conductors which you hear out of the amplifier.

In 'low-end' cables the cheapest materials are used for insulation. Notably PVC. PVC has a horrible dielectric constant and what you hear is a bit of "smearing". Friendly all the same. PVC looks worse on paper than it sounds. But it is not exactly without a signature, which is the goal of a better cable (at least mine).

A material like PVC (found in cheaper mass-produced cables) does not build up a static charge the same way a more expensive material does. The Lyric also has fibrillated polypropylene fillers inside which can build up a charge. As the charge builds up it can dissipate on movement.

Your cable has a conductive material extruded over the conductors and fillers which is there to bleed off static build up and microphonics; however it is less effective than extruding the material over both of the individual conductors alone.

It's a bit tricky to kill these noises with the very best insulating materials. With PVC in some cheap cables you can even get away without using any conductive shields to dissipate triboelectric noise. It just doesn't build up. Of course you don't hear the benefits of a better insulation material either...

I'd be curious about when you got the cables. It is also possible the conductive material has "broken down" over time. If your experience is beyond "interesting and amusing" and leaves you frustrated, I'll take steps to repair/replace your cables with something more effective.

Tony

[LZ_69]

Just a guess but maybe the nylon weaving is causing this.

[fatback]

Thanks for the reply Tony. Yes they are the regular Lyric, not the HG.

The cables are over a year old, but have had this issue before. I do like the sound of your cables and ceartainly didn't mean to be calling out Evidence. I was just curious if others had had this issue come up. I appreciate the offer. I'll get in touch.

[eaudio]

Originally Posted by fatback

Thanks for the reply Tony. Yes they are the regular Lyric, not the HG.

The cables are over a year old, but have had this issue before. I do like the sound of your cables and ceartainly didn't mean to be calling out Evidence. I was just curious if others had had this issue come up. I appreciate the offer. I'll get in touch.

Right on!

I think it's a great discussion and as more and more hi-end cables get out there with better insulation materials and less "conventional" designs, it will be fun to hear new discoveries and observations. This is how we learn!