How do you store your snake?

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by John Willett

I was about to say "in a basket and I get out with a flute"

But - I store it on a proper cable drum and wind it up after use.

^


THAT'S THE LEGITIMATE THING! I'd know it anywhere!

[yrplace]

If you are looking for something that will go in a truck for local transport you might consider a industrial laundry hamper. They're heavy canvas on rollers with a wooden top and are used on stages and sets for cables because empty they weigh almost nothing.

I have a couple that I bought years ago from the old Wally Heider remote truck and they are still doing service. I've got a 54 chl 100 foot and 50 foot ramtech cable in one along with all my interface cables. Works great.

Mark

[David.H]

Originally Posted by joelpatterson

I modified and heavy-dutified a "garden-hose-type" spinning take-up reel style thingamabobber. All the XLR ends get strapped to the side of the spinning round wheel frame, and the box rests on its own little footing, and when it's time to set up you reel it out, when it's time to go you reel it in.

I have only a 6 way 75m snake but have used the above method for some years. It's fast to reel out and back in after the gig. Plus, with a cloth you can clean it on the return. In fact the cloth will stop skin burns, that's how fast it is to rewind! Also nobody has mentioned stress induced into the cable with other methods. There is nothing worse than a snake that will not lye flat when time is of the essence. The thought of a stage box bumping over the floor during rewinding makes me cringe. Also don't forget sharp corners.

[Graham Tobias]

the spool seems like a good way to go about storing it... but for a 28 channel cable is that going to be a bit hard on the cable to wrap it in such small coils?

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Graham Tobias

the spool seems like a good way to go about storing it... but for a 28 channel cable is that going to be a bit hard on the cable to wrap it in such small coils?

I have seen people with 40 channel or more snakes on drums, so I would say not.

Regards


Roland

[Remoteness]

Snakes and reels can work well together, but…

It's more about the climate.

Depending on the multi pair snake material damage occurs when the cable gets really cold or frozen.
You must be extremely careful not to flex the cable too much when you’re raveling or unraveling the snake during cold spells.

This is one of the reasons why we stopped using them in new operations.
Some folks have reel (or belly bin) warmers to deal with this problem.

Jethro still has two 52 channel snakes on reels, but we have moved away from this system in the other trucks and portable rigs.

[David.H]

I agree with Remoteness, from my experiance, and I don't get freezing temps much. I have made loads of recordings with my current snake, internal stress does not seem a problem so far. Mind you I work with people I'm comfortable with and will look after my kit. That is corect paying out and reeling in. That also counts no doubt. If it was me I'd get a large professional reel on castors it will pay dividends.
David.H

[DarthFader_sith]

hi,
long time look-e-loo, thought it'd be a good time to join to get some questions answered.....

i didn't even know that radial made snakes..have had a couple of J48 active DI's for a bout a year and they're awesome. i was looking into a whirlwind snake to replace my ancient "hand me down" peavy 16x4, but if these guys make them i think i'll look into that.

how is the snake built? tough? can you get multi-pins from radial? how much more are they? i think i'd get that for transport purposes. how do you buy a snake brand new? (it's not something that music stores usually stock??????

thanks a bunch!