Best value in instrument cables?

[Eddie]

Hi folks. I am needing to replace some aging guitar cables and was wondering what was the best bang for the buck as far as cables go. I don't have a pile of poop ton of cash laying around and am budgeted pretty tightly lately, so I can't afford to get anything high end, but am looking for a reasonably-priced gem that has a decent track record.

Sorry for the weird rambling question and thanks in advance for any help!!!

[bclaire]

No worries...

I get the Live Wire cables - they have a lifetime warranty but I always lose my receipts for them so I've never actually gone that route but I really like the cable and the value.

I kinda like to replace cables once a year....

[guilleonline]

DiMarzio cables...if you can find them. I always find myself ordering them but they have been VERY good and consistent for me. They have lasted me short of a decade (one 9 yrs. the other one 11yrs.) before they gave in , and when that happened I just sent them in and got new ones from the factory. Great quality and peace of mind. I know have about 10 of their cables (counting couplers for pedals) and all of them going strong. The only store I can seem to find them in person is Samash.

[a.hun]

Can you solder. Do you know anyone who can? If so just buy a length of decent cable and enough Neutrik jacks and make them up yourself.

Or if in the UK go here:
http://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Andy.

[alanbama]

No worries...

I get the Live Wire cables - they have a lifetime warranty but I always lose my receipts for them so I've never actually gone that route but I really like the cable and the value.

I kinda like to replace cables once a year....

Yeah I do that! Get cables with lifetime warranties and never use them. I need to solder some ends on a few cables now. And I like the Live Wire cables also.

[jesperbc]

I use DiMarzios as well. From what I can tell they are excellently made and decently priced.

[Invin]

After years of trying cable after cable (Rodam, Road Hog, Fender, Planet Waves, some others), soldering them when they broke, getting replacements, buying new ones, I finally bought some Monster cables (the "rock" version) that haven't given me any troubles. The prices on them seem to vary wildly, but I got mine on Amazon for between $20-$30 for the 12-21ft lengths. So far I'm glad I broke the cycle of constantly fixing and replacing cheap cables, which just cost me more in the long run.

If you can find a good price on them, they're definitely the best value I've found. I wanted to try DiMarzios but anywhere I've found them that can ship to me they're crazy expensive, so I guess the best value will depend on what you have access to

[bfitz]

Can you solder. Do you know anyone who can? If so just buy a length of decent cable and enough Neutrik jacks and make them up yourself.

Or if in the UK go here:
http://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Andy.

+1

[Jondog]

Can you solder. Do you know anyone who can? If so just buy a length of decent cable and enough Neutrik jacks and make them up yourself.

Or if in the UK go here:
http://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Andy.

+2 you can easily get a top quality cable this way.

[OrangePaul]

Have to say I've tried that van damme cable and I'm not a fan...

Soundlab cables here in the UK are surprisingly good quality for the price i've found.

[thelatrobe33]

I've just finished changing out all my cables to Lava Cables and I've been very happy. I have the high end stuff and it's amazing the change in sound quality over the garbage I was using. They make something in every price range.

[Borderline Productions]

Moster cables are great, but who can afford them?

Get high quality cable through Full Compass or Sweetwater or other venders, some Neutrik jacks and solder your own. They are as good as Monster cables at a much lower cost.

[Thinline_slim]

I had been gigging with Monster Rock cables for the last decade and have had Monster cables for the last 15 years or so. I've had to exercise the lifetime warranty twice now and it was as simple as walking up to the accessories counter at a Guitar Center, making the swap and printing a GC receipt. I never had the receipt when I swapped them out either and they didn't give me any flack.

This last time I swapped a 21' Monster Rock for a LiveWire Elite(? or something) which was 18.5' since they didn't have any of the MR cables in stock. I like it. Sounds as good as the Monster I'd say.

[Surgeon]

I buy bulk Mogami cable and Amphenol connectors. Solder them myself at whatever length I desire.
Add some colored techflex sleeving to ensure that noone ever confuses my cables with theirs and voilà!
I've reheased with them, gigged with them,e tc... never had a single problem. I can go as nuts with solder as I want to ensure they're solid and really crimp the cable ties. They'll last forever I'm afraid.

Best cables ever for quite cheap.

I order my stuff from Redco.com. Fast shipping, great prices.

[Invin]

Moster cables are great, but who can afford them?

I can't stress enough how much the price varies on them. I've seen the same cable as high as $90 or as low as $20. I used to think they were some unattainable crazy expensive thing, then I got those ones on Amazon for the same price as I had been paying for "regular" cables.