It’s the Snap Jack connectors. Each plug is a two-piece unit held together by small, powerful neodymium magnets. The idea is that the plug separates only under tension. So if you trip over the cord, the cable snaps away from the plug, effectively and quietly muting your signal, rather than noisily pulling out your cable or bringing your treasured instrument or lightweight amp crashing to the floor. The easiest way to separate the two pieces is by pulling at an angle; a straight-on tug stands up to tension better. The connection was strong enough that I didn’t have any accidental disconnections with the Zzyzx (pronounced Ziz-icks) until I walked too far away from the amp and the entire cable sprung free from the amp jack.
Like many players, I usually tuck my cable behind the bass’s strap to keep tension off the cable so it won’t pull out (and to keep it out of the way of my dancing feet). That simple maneuver covers part of the Snap Jack’s purpose, but the jack can also be used for quick instrument changes. Instead of hitting a mute button or unplugging your cable at the amp, you can simply detach the Snap Jack, move the connector to the next instrument—which already has the connector end—and rejoin the plug and the cable. Jodavi sells pairs of extra tips for $29. The connection is quick and noiseless, with no hiss or pops. It’s a cool way to switch instruments, and it’s cheaper than an A/B box; just remember to pull those tips out of your active bass after the set to save its battery. Same goes for switching rigs; Snap Jacks could be a boon at an amp shop.
On the technical side, the cable uses oxygen-free copper (OFC) as a conductor. OFC is commonly used in audiophile cables and is more corrosion-resistant than normal copper wire. The gold-plated connecters are housed in beefy nickel-plated barrels that also contain the magnets. The tips are also slightly magnetic, so they’re good at attracting small metal items, like screws or paper clips. Sonically, the Zzyzx sounded the same as other similar-priced cables. There was a broad dynamic range with thick, defined bottom, plenty of midrange, and lacy high end. I didn’t hear any crackles or pops in my time with the Zzyzx. One weird thing: I had some trouble getting the plug into a few amps’ inputs. The problem seemed to be a sharp edge at the top of the sleeve that caught inside the amp’s input socket. Both plugs had this sharp edge, which Jodavari has smoothed out in subsequent proiduction.
A cable yank isn’t too common a gear problem, but it could be a gig-ending one. Jodavi’s detachable Zzyzx Snap Jack cable is an interesting solution, and it also offers a dead-quiet alternate to A/B boxes. If you’re stumble-prone or if you leave your bass plugged in around small children, you might want to try the Snap Jack.
List 15-Foot Straight, $53; 15-Foot Angle, $56; 20-Foot Straight, $57; 20-Foot Angle, $60
Street 15-Foot Straight, $35; 15-Foot Angle, $36; 20-Foot Straight, $38; 20-Foot Angle, $39
Pros Good sound; bulletproof construction; innovative switching idea
Cons Plugging in tough on a few amps
Bottom line A durable cable for players who make frequent instrument changes.
Made in China
Warranty Three years limited
Contact (562) 677-1245 www.zzyzxsnapjack.com