Neutrik NP2 RX-Timbre

Neutrik claims that position 1, of the four position rotary switch that is built into this angle jack, is the original unaltered tone. Positions 2, 3, & 4 then progressively change the timbre - essentially losing treble with each subsequent position. A useful extra tool to take the edge off an overly bright tone.

BUT, a straight forward A/B test with a short normal cable reveals that even position 1 takes the edge off the original guitar output tone.

However, I have found this fallacious aberration to have a use. When using a radio system, instead of a normal cable, the guitar signal is very often unpleasantly brightened, due to strange laws of impedance, with a harsh treble edge being added to the tone.

Using this Neutrik Timbre jack on the very short guitar to transmitter cable, and leaving it in position 1, those harsh frequencies are slightly dulled, with the result that the wireless tone becomes very, very close to the original.

In case anyone might be thinking that of course the radio signal is going to be brighter than a long guitar cable, I am comparing it with two meters of George L's extremely low capacitance cable that delivers a very bright signal from guitar to amp.

So, it is an interesting idea and very useful as a handy, extra EQ device, but do not be fooled by Neutrik's claims that position 1 is your original tone.

I have soldered a lot of Neutrik jacks to date - probably in the 1000s - and never have I come across such a lousily designed product in their range. Anyone using a higher quality cable (higher gauge, thicker jacket) will find it incredibly hard to even get the two covers closed, no thanks to the decision to have the covers screw shut. To add injury to insult the screw was either too long or the threading in the red cover wen terribly wrong in the die casting process.

Why the boffins at Neutrik weren't able to just supply a longer cable and use the traditional slide mechanism is beyond me!