Twizzle issues.

[Al Nico]

Hi.

I believe in honest analysis and judgement of one's performances in order to adjust and improve.

I'm also a great believer in health and safety and have cleared my house of furniture in order to perform 'The Zip' where appropriate.

Since the clearance, I've frequently noticed my instrument cable twisted into knots, and on further analysis notice that I'm rotating anti-clockwise during rehearsal.

I've checked the sink and bath and they drain water in the other direction of spin, proving it's not universal forces.

All I'm left with is that I'm either trying to get round the front on the fretboard, or trying to get away from the cable?

Has anyone else experienced this and do you know what causes it?

 

I've attached an image to help identify the issue.

[neepheid]

Go wireless, problem solved.

[Dad3353]

 

 

I tidy cales away using the 'figure of eight' method; I finish by lifting it up from each side (left and right...), and put a Velcro band around it to keep it as a loop. No tangles, no twists. Works with all types of cables, and garden hoses. Hope this helps. 

[Al Nico]

2 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

 

I tidy cales away using the 'figure of eight' method; I finish by lifting it up from each side (left and right...), and put a Velcro band around it to keep it as a loop. No tangles, no twists. Works with all types of cables, and garden hoses. Hope this helps. 

Thank you. I'm ok with cable management in general, the cable is more of an indicator to the deeper problem of moving in circles.

[Al Nico]

2 hours ago, neepheid said:

Go wireless, problem solved.

Good call. I remember first seeing this technology on TOTP where instruments seemed to have no cable. We used to think there were mining, but it was probably HF radio transmission.

I'd be very interested, but I know it's going to involve a battery that always needs charging. Grr.

[neepheid]

6 minutes ago, Al Nico said:

Good call. I remember first seeing this technology on TOTP where instruments seemed to have no cable. We used to think there were mining, but it was probably HF radio transmission.

I'd be very interested, but I know it's going to involve a battery that always needs charging. Grr.

 

They're so cheap these days, buy 2 sets, then keep them charged.  If one runs out, you've got the second set to fall back on while you charge the first.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

7 hours ago, Al Nico said:

All I'm left with is that I'm either trying to get round the front on the fretboard, or trying to get away from the cable?

Has anyone else experienced this and do you know what causes it?

 

You're not chasing your vestigial tail are you?

[Downunderwonder]

Same used to happen to the telephone handset cable. Not from getting up and walking in circles but from mysteriously picking it up and rotating it between the phone, your ear, and putting it back.

 

If you often put the bass down you have another possible source of the dreaded twizzle. 

 

BTW, it sure looks like a bad case of cable mismanagement by someone who coils one way only and thinks they are doing great.

[lurksalot]

5 hours ago, Al Nico said:

Thank you. I'm ok with cable management in general, the cable is more of an indicator to the deeper problem of moving in circles.

the circles you are moving in are the issue , try to insulate yourself from bad influences, turn yourself around and you should stop tying yourself in knots 

[tauzero]

Either stop playing "Total eclipse of the heart" or stop treating the lyrics as stage directions. It's not "Time warp".

[Al Nico]

Thank you for the replies. It seems where there is space, I will wander.

I have a few hundred cables. I used them for running small stage band PA.

I have all sorts. The cheap cables that go stiff in the cold are the worst.

Ones with expensive rubberised anti-kink outer sheaths are the best. I don't have any of them, too expensive.

 

We have hit on wireless. I'm going to explore this.

[tauzero]

18 hours ago, neepheid said:

They're so cheap these days, buy 2 sets, then keep them charged.  If one runs out, you've got the second set to fall back on while you charge the first.

 

That's what I do - two sets of identical wirelesses, one branded Lekato and the other M-Vave. £25 or so from AliExpress.

[Bassassin]

I'd stick with the cable - it's traditional for a reason - but work on my routine so I was performing an equal number of moves in the opposite direction.

 

Not only would this keep the cable tangle-free but it would inject an element of variety into what might otherwise become a predictable performance.

 

It will be necessary to make doubly sure all necessary connections are secure, and to be aware of the increased risk of inadvertant headstock > cymbals > drummer's cranium > guitarist's teeth interface.

[Stub Mandrel]

23 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

 

 

I tidy cales away using the 'figure of eight' method; I finish by lifting it up from each side (left and right...), and put a Velcro band around it to keep it as a loop. No tangles, no twists. Works with all types of cables, and garden hoses. Hope this helps. 

 

No, no, no!

 

Coil over your hand putting a half twist into each loop so they are all completely limp.

 

Thus is how I was taught to hank a rope. Minimises tangles, as used by seamen for generations.

 

Then velcro, rather than securing with a loop round and through. 

 

[Al Nico]

22 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Then velcro, rather than securing with a loop round and through. 

 

Agreed. For some reason, velcro cable ties seem to be looked down on and don't get used much, by people who wrap in insulation tape. Stupid insulation tape. Sticky, sore fingers, bits of tape sticking to your shoes and stage, drummers opening them up with the knife they keep in their snare box. Oh my days.

[Al Nico]

23 hours ago, Bassassin said:

I'd stick with the cable - it's traditional for a reason - but work on my routine so I was performing an equal number of moves in the opposite direction.

 

Not only would this keep the cable tangle-free but it would inject an element of variety into what might otherwise become a predictable performance.

 

It will be necessary to make doubly sure all necessary connections are secure, and to be aware of the increased risk of inadvertant headstock > cymbals > drummer's cranium > guitarist's teeth interface.

You make it sound easy? Have you tried wandering clockwise in A minor? It's like left foot braking in the car, feels wrong, unnatural, and has no finesse.

You raise some good points tho, so I will keep practicing.

[Bassassin]

5 minutes ago, Al Nico said:

You make it sound easy? Have you tried wandering clockwise in A minor? It's like left foot braking in the car, feels wrong, unnatural, and has no finesse.

You raise some good points tho, so I will keep practicing.

 

I don't expect it to be easy for a moment - but like any learned co-ordination - singing whilst playing, left/right hand independence whilst tapping or playing a keyboard instrument - practice & persistence will surely open the way.

 

I would recommend as large a clearable practice area as available, ideally with walls already in need of replastering, and using a bass that is as close to expendable as possible - or already headless. And please make certain all & any wandering pets, children or partners are either excluded or appropriately restrained.

 

Do consider this to be a disclaimer refuting all responsibility for any adverse consequences arising from your personal decision to follow my entirely baseless and untested 'advice', should you choose to do so.

 

Good luck!

[chris_b]

In the early 70's an electrician explained cable maintenance to me. I don't deal with extra long runs but the twist while you are looping method has worked for me since then. My guitar lead is 15' and just passed it's 40th birthday. I bought another cable as a spare about 10 years ago and it's never been used. I fixed the twizzle problem by not moving on stage. Works every time.

 

The other part of cable maintenance which is often ignored, Lay all cables on stage where they won't be stood or walked on.

Edited 4 hours ago by chris_b

[Al Nico]

1 hour ago, Bassassin said:

 

I don't expect it to be easy for a moment - but like any learned co-ordination - singing whilst playing, left/right hand independence whilst tapping or playing a keyboard instrument - practice & persistence will surely open the way.

 

I would recommend as large a clearable practice area as available, ideally with walls already in need of replastering, and using a bass that is as close to expendable as possible - or already headless. And please make certain all & any wandering pets, children or partners are either excluded or appropriately restrained.

 

Do consider this to be a disclaimer refuting all responsibility for any adverse consequences arising from your personal decision to follow my entirely baseless and untested 'advice', should you choose to do so.

 

Good luck!

This is very helpful thank you. I was worried I might not be cut out for bass guitar, but it's comforting to know it is common for bassists to have difficulties initially anti clockwise, I feel re-invigored to continue.

Don't worry, I won't be reaching for the legal team again this time.

I'm going to try with my Harley Benton. It has active electronics that will help stabilise north.

[Al Nico]

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

In the early 70's an electrician explained cable maintenance to me. I don't deal with extra long runs but the twist while you are looping method has worked for me since then. My guitar lead is 15' and just passed it's 40th birthday. I bought another cable as a spare about 10 years ago and it's never been used. I fixed the twizzle problem by not moving on stage. Works every time.

 

The other part of cable maintenance which is often ignored, Lay all cables on stage where they won't be stood or walked on.

You were lucky. In the 70's I had a small glockenspiel and a plastic four string guitar.

No wonder I've got behind with cable technology.

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, Al Nico said:

This is very helpful thank you. I was worried I might not be cut out for bass guitar, but it's comforting to know it is common for bassists to have difficulties initially anti clockwise, I feel re-invigored to continue.

Don't worry, I won't be reaching for the legal team again this time.

I'm going to try with my Harley Benton. It has active electronics that will help stabilise north.

 

You can also try the tested and proven swing method to untwist the cable, should you find that it has become more twisted than you are comfortable with.