Lava cable ELC pedal board kit (Lavacable, DIY, review)

[albuht813]

Updates: Pictures added on page 2 which show size differences between GLs and ELC.
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I've had the kit about 2 weeks ago by now and have since completely converted to the ELC from George L's (GL). I've gigged with them about 4 times and now I think it's about time I wrote a review on these cables.

Review:
Let me start off saying that these cables are an improvement over the George L's in design and sound. I've used the regular ELC instrument cables before these kits arrived and I've noticed a difference in that alone. So, my expectations were already pretty high for these pedal cables.

Assembling these cables does take time to get used to just like any other kit. The assembly is completely different from the GL. In fact, since I was so used to making GLs, it took me about an hour to figure these things out with some more trial and error along the way. I guess I'm just dumb, but that was my experience. I've actually put up a DIY on youtube. I hope it helps people out there. It's a quirky vid, haha.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2v-kfN0uiY
(My brother edited the vid and filmed it for me. THanks Jim!)

Once I got the cables assembled, the cables just did not slip out of the plugs! I was also putting some major stress on the plugs with 90 degree angles and the signal just kept pushin. I was always afraid that we would need some right angle plugs designed, but from the way the cables handle the bends, there's just no need for it. Plus, it would just take up more space seeing as how the plug is designed. The one thing I love about the design is that there isn't any guessing about the grounding sheath!!! The plug sleeve makes infinite contact with the grounding sheath in the cable.

The sound. If I could describe it in a few words...balanced and musical. I've got my high end, I've got my low end. I've even got more volume compared to using the GLs. I think my pedalboard would be a perfect example of the potential for this cable since I run about 45 ft. of this stuff. I run a boost in my chain, but even when the pedal is off, the tone is drastically improved. It's great because now that I have some low end back, I can dial out bass and mids in my EQ. I don't have to compensate for the high end heavy GLs.

Let me tell you again because I can't stress this enough...this stuff doesn't have the tinny sound of the GLs. The sound is almost identical to the regular ELC instrument cable. I was very impressed because the diameter difference between the two is remarkably drastic. An absolutely great cable with great tone that is affordable. Great work Mark! What an improvement!!!

Here's some pics of the cables in action!


Check out the tight spaces!



Some mad cable runs!

[Guitar Dave T]

Thanks for the instructional vid. I enjoyed it.

Compared to the Monster "Rock" connectors I had, the George L's sounded considerably better. I have not experienced any tinniness with them at all. (Here is my Strat at a recent gig - go about 3/5's in for the solo - http://www.revivaltheband.com/IShotT...ITW2007_09.mp3).

I'm not saying the Lava's won't sound better, but assuming for a minute that I either got a better batch of GL's, or did something different on the installation, would you still say I should expect a considerable improvement with the Lavas based on what you hear on this live clip?

And are there 45 degree lava connectors available? One of the benefits I've found to the GL's is that they are inherantly 45 degrees.

Thanks!

[albuht813]

Originally Posted by Guitar Dave T

Thanks for the instructional vid. I enjoyed it.

Compared to the Monster "Rock" connectors I had, the George L's sounded considerably better. I have not experienced any tinniness with them at all. (Here is my Strat at a recent gig - go about 3/5's in for the solo - http://www.revivaltheband.com/IShotT...ITW2007_09.mp3).

I'm not saying the Lava's won't sound better, but assuming for a minute that I either got a better batch of GL's, or did something different on the installation, would you still say I should expect a considerable improvement with the Lavas based on what you hear on this live clip?

And are there 45 degree lava connectors available? One of the benefits I've found to the GL's is that they are inherantly 45 degrees.

Thanks!

Wow, that's some great playing man!! Your band sounds very good.

If you're using the GLs right now, I can say that you're notes will become more defined and more percussive because you've got more of the natural frequency spectrum going through. You've got more high end and low end being retained by the ELC so the notes just come through better. You're OD in that solo is pretty compressed, I know, but still, you're definitely gonna hear a difference. I know I did. I've got a Zendrive 2 for the thick Dumbly tones and I'm hearing more note definition with single notes and more powerful crunch on strumming. It's great, because I don't have that upper-mid hump from the GLs, my guitar will sound more like my guitar.

Lava only has the plugs shown in the vid. But beleive me, if all you're looking for is 45 degrees, these cables will do the job. Go ahead and bend it! it still works!
Hope that helps.

[GregN.]

He does sell the kit w/ right angle plugs but they're not the solderless. I just ordered that kit a few days ago. Got me some solderin' to do. :AOK

Greg

[JZG]

I'll concur with many of the points the OP made regarding the differences between the Lava and GL's. I just wired my board up last week with the Lavas and not only do I feel that my overall tone has improved, my rig is also a lot quieter.

[LavaMan]

Thanks much for the vid and pictures! It is much appreciated!

[GregN.]

And lo and behold, I go to check the mail and what's there? My Lava ELC kit!! Woohoo!

Greg

[macmax77]

i know no one believes me until they hear me, but as much as i love the GL's .255 i hate the .155

try it out, i don't care what their site says, they do sound different to the point that the only .155 i use is used to change my Budda channels, never in my chain.

[jbgordon]

I should be getting my Lava ELC instrument cables and pedalboard kit soon, and this makes me more excited.

Hopefully they will come tomorrow!

[DeuceII]

Originally Posted by albuht813

Lava only has the plugs shown in the vid. But beleive me, if all you're looking for is 45 degrees, these cables will do the job. Go ahead and bend it! it still works!
Hope that helps.

Space-wise, how similar are the ELC's bent to right angles compared to the GL's? Take up less space, more space, about the same?

[nashvillesteve]

Thanks! I will definitely check out that vid. I have an ELC cable and a few george l patch cables w/ GH plugs from mark, who is awesome, and got this kit for xmas, can't wait to try it out. my goal is to have an all-lava cable rig, i'm sure the video will be helpful, as i haven't made my own cables before.

[Guitar Dave T]

Originally Posted by albuht813

Wow, that's some great playing man!! Your band sounds very good.

If you're using the GLs right now, I can say that you're notes will become more defined and more percussive because you've got more of the natural frequency spectrum going through. You've got more high end and low end being retained by the ELC so the notes just come through better. You're OD in that solo is pretty compressed, I know, but still, you're definitely gonna hear a difference. I know I did. I've got a Zendrive 2 for the thick Dumbly tones and I'm hearing more note definition with single notes and more powerful crunch on strumming. It's great, because I don't have that upper-mid hump from the GLs, my guitar will sound more like my guitar.

Lava only has the plugs shown in the vid. But beleive me, if all you're looking for is 45 degrees, these cables will do the job. Go ahead and bend it! it still works!
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the good words. Most of the compression you hear on that solo is from the amp, or amps - two Blues Jr's in tandem.

The 45 degree solution sounds good for me, nevertheless - I would actually prefer a solder connection.

Thanks again.

[albuht813]

Originally Posted by DeuceII

Space-wise, how similar are the ELC's bent to right angles compared to the GL's? Take up less space, more space, about the same?

Good point. I'll post something tommorrow.

[BillyK]

Originally Posted by Guitar Dave T

Thanks for the good words. Most of the compression you hear on that solo is from the amp, or amps - two Blues Jr's in tandem.

The 45 degree solution sounds good for me, nevertheless - I would actually prefer a solder connection.

Thanks again.

Dave,
A couple of points from my perspective:
- I agree that soldered connections are better, hands down. But solderless has it's benefits, especially for those of us that have ever-changing boards. I tried earlier this year to go all-solder on my board (ELC), but then I added/subtracted, and I didn't want to continually order patches, or solder 'em every time i needed 'em. BTW, IMO, GL solderless are the most unreliable connectors I've found, and I know how to make 'em well. I use BL connectors 'cause I have 'em, they are highly reliable and very affordable.

- I disagree with the OP that a change to ELC from GL/BL (I think BL/GL are the same cables) will provide significant improvement for you in a gigging situation. While I love my ELC run from guitar to board, the sonic difference is very slight IMO from BL/GL. In a studio environment really listening for differences, I hear the ELC as slightly more balanced. There are other reasons to love the ELC, like noise rejection, handling, quality of construction - it's great, but it's not going to change your sonic world if you are a GL/BL user. Again, IMO.

[Dickie Fredericks]

Originally Posted by BillyK

Dave,
BTW, IMO, GL solderless are the most unreliable connectors I've found, and I know how to make 'em well. I use BL connectors 'cause I have 'em, they are highly reliable and very affordable.

- I disagree with the OP that a change to ELC from GL/BL (I think BL/GL are the same cables) will provide significant improvement for you in a gigging situation. While I love my ELC run from guitar to board, the sonic difference is very slight IMO from BL/GL. In a studio environment really listening for differences, I hear the ELC as slightly more balanced. There are other reasons to love the ELC, like noise rejection, handling, quality of construction - it's great, but it's not going to change your sonic world if you are a GL/BL user. Again, IMO.

Im gonna agree with the second part of this and disagree with the first part. Ive never had a George L's cable or connector fail in any way. And I find it funny that folks get on these boards and tell us how bad George L's make you sound.

A few years ago they were the holy grail and everyone used em. Loved the tone. Jeepers it was in every guitar mag and the list of endorsers grew pretty fast.

Now, George L's just sucks. I find it funny. They suck but Mark sells them on his site? So which is it? Do they suck or not?

Im going with not. My boards wired in George L's and folks tell me that they like my sound.

Didnt EJ wire his stuff with it? You gonna say his tone sucks?

Im certainly not saying that Marks cables arent good or even great. In fact Im looking to add a few of his cables myself. But to say that Gl's kills all the frequencies and stuff is simply bogus.

Just my opinion.