What guitar cables do you use?

Boy_Narf · Post by **Boy_Narf** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:49 pm

Hello everyone, I am in the process of upgrading all of guitar/pedal board cables. I was just wondering what kinds you guys recommend.

I have been looking at the new planet waves circuit breaker cables along with the pedal board cabling kit

and I have also been looking at the monster rock cables...

I want a good quality cables since I have spent a lot of money on gear, and I don't mind spending a little extra money to get the "best". But I would like to stick with one brand just to keep things looking uniform.

Thanx

Norrin Radd · Post by **Norrin Radd** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:57 pm

I use the Planet waves Cable Station stuff on my board. I like Bullet cables for other use. I also use an X2 wireless most of the time. The PW stuff is great, IMO.

sgpornstar · Post by **sgpornstar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:03 pm

I use Monster, just the regular S100 or whatever it is. I don't put a lot of stock in the really high end stuff, I just buy cables that seem sturdy, I've had great luck with Monster. Though I did get a Vox coil cable because, well, I like the way it looks.

tony_clifton · Post by **tony_clifton** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:07 pm

Klotz KIK series here.
They do what they should do without breaking the bank.
1,5/2/2,5/3/4,5/6/9m available and a bunch of colors. Feels solid to me, they click nicely into the jack, no fancyness.

Wired · Post by **Wired** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:10 pm

I use Planet Waves cables for lenders/pullling peoples cars outa the ditch

I use Dimarzio & Fulltone cables mostly...

but my Amp-> pedal board -> Wireless rack unit cable system is actually built by a company called Pedal Snake. It's this snake cable with 4 midi calbes in it that you attach these lil dongles too that transfer power/audio cleanly between the two sites.

Guitar-Sam · Post by **Guitar-Sam** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:16 pm

I've had Monster cables and the ends ended up breaking on me in like a week.Overpriced crap IMO.
Also Personaly I would not trust any solderless pedal cable kit suck as George L's etc....
I use all CBI cables in my rig.They are made in upstate NY and are high quality cables at resonable prices.They build snakes for many pro bands and sound/production companys.
I also like DiMarzio cables as they come w/ switchcraft ends.VERY durable.
I don't know much about them but I have one planet waves cable and its held up for awhile now so they seem pretty durable also.
All these seem to have quality ends and good quality wire and make no microphonic noises(ever heard a cheap cable that makes noise as it drags on the floor)

IMO allot of those super studio quality cables is just advertising hype.

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:33 pm

Don't need to buy a brand. Once you get something of sufficiently decent quality, it's all good. For cabling, Klotz or van Damme is fine. For ends, get Switchcraft or Neutrik. These sorts of cables are often made quite cheap by PA hire companies, audio engineers or similar folks pretty cheaply.

If you can solder, you can make it yourself.

The PW or Monster stuff is fine, but overpriced. You can get similar or better quality for less as noted above.

The PW circuit breaker cables aren't worth it - if you're interested in that, get Neutrik silent ends. Their technology is more intelligent than PW as you don't need to press any buttons, it just works.

The solderless cables (eg. George Ls) are quite simple to make up and sound good, and should be fine if you don't move them round a huge amount.

Personally I use Neutrik & van Damme cables - solder my own - and have some George Ls stuff on the board. All good...

ben_allison · Post by **ben_allison** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:56 am

We live in a world with too many options. Everything's dissected and scrutinized.

I just made up my mind one day: Bill Lawrence for pedal board, Mogami for instrument.

Both have great reputations and are affordable, and if there's something wrong with my tone, it's NOT the cables!

A lot of this is about simply making a choice, and charging ahead.

Aslan · Post by **Aslan** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:33 am

I have tried alot of different cables and have settled on the George L's cable. I can hear a audible difference when using the George L's and I like the ability to fix the cable in seconds even at a gig. They just work for me.

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:46 am

Aslan wrote:I have tried alot of different cables and have settled on the George L's cable. I can hear a audible difference when using the George L's and I like the ability to fix the cable in seconds even at a gig. They just work for me.

I think I made the point in the other thread about speaker cables that once you get to a certain quality of cable, you're absolutely right that you may hear a difference. However they are no better or worse, just... different.

Not saying the GLs are bad, because i've got some, just they're different. Teddy here bought all Zaolla stuff and could definitely hear the difference, but said he didn't like it and went back to his old cheap stuff!

Re: fixing the cables mid-gig... shouldn't need to if it's soldered properly. And if not, always bring a few spares...

eeyore · Post by **eeyore** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:21 pm

Joe,I was wondering have you found a good supply for Van Damme cable in the uk.I,m after about 30m preferably coloured?If you could let me have the address that would be great,
Thanks Nick

Luke · Post by **Luke** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:25 pm

I've been using George L's for years and have had no problems. I love the solderless connections. It makes it simple and quick to make custom lenghts. They are quiet and not michrophonic.

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:34 pm

Hey Nick...

Beyond Googling, your guess is as good as mine!

I was lucky enough to get a 100m reel of yellow cable at trade price from a guy called John Godsland who runs Orchid Electronics. I occasionally buy things off him anyway, so he may have been doing me a favour and I wouldn't necessarily expect him to do that for folks in general. Still got some of it left.

I think the reels of VDC come in 100m drums. You can get whatever colour you want, and i'm pretty sure there are some places that will sell it you by the metre, but it'll be more expensive per metre than if you got a whole drum. www.rapidonline.com sell black cable at Ã‚Â£55 for a 100m drum. Cheapest i've seen it.

That being said, if you only need 30 yards, it'd probably be cheaper for you to get an audio engineer to make some VDC/Neutrik cables up for you. Because they buy in bulk, they'll get a better price on both cables and ends than you and unless you just want the practice soldering, it'll only be marginally more expensive than you buying or making it yourself.

Try John at Orchid Electronics (google it) or Rob Beech at www.cnics.co.uk.

Both do cables cheaply enough and their work is good. Google it and you'll find enough other guys who'll do a similar thing.

xenious · Post by **xenious** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:52 pm

In a fit of weakness (and when I was on a "wood" kick) I got the Monster pro acoustic cable. Supposedly it is more transparent than their other cables. It does have a really good sound with my LP. Dunno how different it really is from other cables, but it beat the old cable i was using which had a short in it.

Orphin · Post by **Orphin** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:04 pm

What guitar cables do you use?

The ones that works.

What guitar cables do you use?

What guitar cables do you use?

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