The Best Cable?

[Vidar Lund]

John, here´s the answer to your question.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hb ... resis.html

[smokymtguitar09]

I tend to go with any mic or guitar cable made with Mogami for the minimum rating of capacitance and resistance that affects the tone and attenuation depending on the cable length....the shorter the less effect it has. Stiff cables can tangle and get in the way of performing especially on stage. Good quality metal straight and right angle plugs from well known manufacturers such as Switchcraft. Plugs made in USA rather than China or elsewhere might be hard to find but probably more dependable. If you are technically inclined, handy with a soldering iron, and adept to making your own you might get some bulk Mogami cable, plugs, and shrink tubing and make up at least two (one to use and a backup).

A backup cable is important. I found out the hard way when performing at an out-of-town restaurant with only 30 minutes to spare I had left my guitar cable at home. I quickly went to Radio Shack which was closed, then to a nearby pawn shop where the owner loaned me his 'test guitar cable' that appeared to be out of the '60s, but it worked and I finished the night. Never again would I go without a spare.

Mogami cable http://www.mogamicable.com/category/pro ... -20-40.php

[Norm]

A backup cable is important. ..."

Add batteries if your setup includes items requiring batteries,

[smokymtguitar09]

Norm,
"Batteries"... good point !! By all means, all sizes for effects, tuner, and the guitar pickup preamp.

Thanks!

[smokymtguitar09]

Neutrik makes a 'silent plug', both angled and straight that is similar to what Paul Y. told us he and Chet used for awhile made by Switchcraft. The Neutrik version operates on a magnetic reed switch with sealed gold contacts that is controlled by a sliding magnet inside the plug and shield. Interesting, and it might be a good option to eliminate the inadvertent popping with plugging-in or unplugging a guitar cable.

Neutrik Silent Plug http://www.neutrik.com/en/audio/plugs-a ... -au-silent

[jay]

Neutrik Silent Plug http://www.neutrik.com/en/audio/plugs-a ... -au-silent

This is interesting...

http://www.neutrik.com/en/audio/plugs-a ... 2rx-timbre

[smokymtguitar09]

Jay,

The Neutrik Timbre plug is interesting, and the video demo seems to reveal it as a glorified tone control. The other information I can get is that it compensates for capacitance when used with various manufacturers of guitar cable. So, I'm thinking they have a resistance-capacitor (RC) circuit of sorts to accomplish this. This more or less is similar to the guitar tone control but would be great for acoustic guitars that might not have tone control. I am also thinking the Gretsch CGP might be a candidate since it has no tone control. Like you said "Interesting" !
Thanks

[David Elliott]

The title of this post/thread says it all... "The Best Cable"!
That's the equvalent of saying "The Best" guitar", "The Best Car", etc.

So long as the insulation, the soldering, etc. are all done correctly, I don't think there's a lot of difference between a twenty dollar and a fifty dollar cable/cord! And I believe some of them are real 'rip-offs'!

For what it's worth, my pick of guitar cable today is the 'Planet Waves" CIRCUIT BREAKER cable, http://store.daddario.com/category/146465

The little button on one end when pushed allows you to "break" the circuit, (and thereby silence your guitar), and eliminates that annoying POP/SQUEAL coming through your amp if you've forgotten to turn your volume control down when changing guitars, etc. They're a quality product, nice lookung, and fairly reasonably priced.

You can actually make your own version of these fairly easily if you're handy with a soldering iron.

I think Paul used to make them himself, for Chet and him to use!

David

[smokymtguitar09]

David,

Good observation, and I agree there are a lot of very good options available and too many so called 'boutique' cables. There are several very good cables on eBay stores who make them up themselves using either Canare or Mogami cables with the good Newtrik Silent plugs and selling them from $26 for 10 foot up to $45 for 25 foot.

I am also currently using two Planet Waves cables but with regular angle and straight plugs; however, I've had problems with their molded angle plugs after a couple of years and replaced them with Switchcraft or the 'flat' angle plugs sold at Radio Shack. Your point of good solder connections is very important to the longer life of the plugs. Stress relief for the cable near the guitar plug will help prevent cable failure. Shrink tubing that covers the end of the plug and a couple inches of the cable will usually be good enough and still flex enough to be practical. Of course shrinking the tubing without a special heat gun can present a problem, and hair dryers is not a good choice as it doesn't concentrate the heat where needed and can damage the cable. In addition, if anyone is considering making-you-own cable, I've seen those nice silent Newtik plugs selling for $12 free shipping on eBay, which is a bargain I think.

Well, this is getting to be Guitar Cables 101, but a good topic. I hope not too boring

[John A]

Thanks to all that have replied. I have had a short 9 foot cable that I have been using for my Sand,
but I need a longer one for my new Hall of Fame. Lots of 'food' for thought.