Lava Cable Blue Demon

Lerxst

Lerxst

spaghetti and blankets
Picked up a 10' Blue Demon from Lava Cable to replace an aging spectraflex. I wanted to try out a "nice" low cap cable and debated between this and the Armor Golds. The Blue Demon was a few bucks cheaper ($36) & I've always wanted to get my hands on a Lava product after reading tons of positive feedback, so I sprung for one.

The Blue Demon has a 99.9% pure copper low strand count conductor, 23 pF/ft low capacitance, and a 93% spiral shield for excellent RF rejection. This cable was designed for rugged stage use and to provide superior performance at a bargain price, with better sonic characteristics and performance than all instrument cables in its class. Made in U.S.A.
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Excellent build quality, nice thick jacketed cable with G&H 1/4 connectors.

Initial thoughts: A/B'd with my Whirlwind Leader (Hofner CT VeryThin -> AC15), the Blue Demon has some additional top end/brightness but otherwise I think they sound very close. The kicker......you can pick up a 10' Leader for about $16 off Amazon. No knock against Lava, it's a very well made cable that sounds great, but I don't think you get twice the cable for twice the price: Both sound fantastic, both made in the U.S.A and backed by a lifetime warranty. The BD looks like a very durable cable and I know for sure the Whirlwind can stand up to years of gigs and playing.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
thanks for the review. did you compare it to the Spectraflex too?
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Not yet. The spectraflex is 20+ feet long and I only use it as a run from my pedal board to my amp these days.

I couldn't tell you how old & abused it is but it's gotta be over 15 years old at this point (same with the Whirlwind)...it has stood up to all the mistreatment I've thrown at it over the years. Both cables have the plating wearning off the jacks. I'll have to snap a pic of them.
 
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Clicky on thumbnail (can't get the full size image to into the post on tapatalk)

Whirlwind on the left
Spectraflex on the right
 
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Old Spectraflex on the left, Blue Demon on the right

Interesting to note that the strain relief/shrinkwrap is the identical length and the old G&H connectors next to the new G&H 1/4 connectors.
 
I have a 15" Lava cable - I believe it is the Vintage Tweed. A great cable that is way over engineered. But I did not buy it (it was a gift) and i agree that as nice as they are they are probably not worth twice what other cables are asking unless you do a lot of studio work. Plus the vintage tweed runs I believe $66.00 for a 15'.
 
I have a lava cable that I won, and I love it. But how does one do a real comparison of its affect on overall sound without some sort of electrical device or audiometer?
 
Lerxst said:
I don't really see your point...why would you suspect otherwise?
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Because I'm just generally a suspicious person?

Seriously, though, I've seen reviews touting "this" cable or "that" cable as being so good, you'll want to readjust your pedal settings because of the nuances you'll notice when you make the switch. I was just wondering how scientific those reviews might be. Once can see and feel the durability of one cable vs. another. But I wondered if there was a recommended way to set up your amp, guitar, etc. in order to be able to get an aural reading of the difference between cables with the naked ear. I didn't have a point, I had a question, and I appreciate your answer as being the most likely one.
 
Curly chords are the coolest man!
That's a Joe Satriani quote actually. Lol.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
ptrott said:
Because I'm just generally a suspicious person?

Seriously, though, I've seen reviews touting "this" cable or "that" cable as being so good, you'll want to readjust your pedal settings because of the nuances you'll notice when you make the switch. I was just wondering how scientific those reviews might be. Once can see and feel the durability of one cable vs. another. But I wondered if there was a recommended way to set up your amp, guitar, etc. in order to be able to get an aural reading of the difference between cables with the naked ear. I didn't have a point, I had a question, and I appreciate your answer as being the most likely one.
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When you get down to brass tacks, even when a reviewer provides ample objective data, you still have to gauge how relevant that data is to you, your rig & playing application. From my POV, objective or subjective, it really is all just data points that you have to use to make your own decision and evaluate how much weight you give to each one. w/r/t cables and some of the marketing spin, I'll just add that I haven't experienced any cable that will make or break a rig provided that it's not faulty.
 
I always found coily cables to be a total PITA.....especially when it comes to pack & go.

Anyhow, as far as the Blue Demon goes it's still a very nice reliable cable. I've been using it pretty much daily and no complaints.

The Whirlwind is still a great bang for the buck champ, IMO.
 
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