Do coil cables sound better?

[Saul Goodman]

Or was it just a '60s-'70s thing? I know a little bit about electronic and how copper coils conduct but this doesn't apply to a coil guitar cable. Or does it?

[velorush]

"Better" is absolutely subjective. Their greater capacitance (all things being equal) will generally roll off highs. One might find that appealing.

Hendrix playing a Strat into a Marshall? Likely a beneficial effect on his tone. Playing a jazz box into a Polytone? I'm guessing not, but maybe so.

ETA: just reread your question and needed to add this: as I understand it, it's nothing to do with inductance of copper coils but everything to do with the capacitive properties of wire in the cable. The coil of the cable simply means there is more cable (in linear feet) in a coiled cable than a plain cable and therefore more capacitance per effective foot of cable (apologies for the awkward wording).  

Edited February 20 by velorush

[cmatthes]

Unless you’re a dog, a dolphin or maybe Eric Johnson, the answer is “No”.

[django49]

Coil cables are fun and there are ones made today that are far better than the $4 ones I used in the late 60s. Such as the old Lava cables have 35 FEET of cable....A LOT of capacitance....All that extra wire tends to muffle the sound. The proverbial blanket over your speaker cabinet. I say tend to because you might mitigate the tone loss if you have a buffer BEFORE  the cable. Which is to say, do you have a buffer IN your guitar? For example, I do have that in a Scott Walker guitar. It DOES make a difference.

Otherwise (IMO) you are best to go with a short cable with low cap wire (I like BTPA for their cables). If you run that to a pedalboard that does have a buffer, you should be able to minimize the tone suck.

You decide how much that matters when you are playing live and loud in a band.......🤔

Edited February 21 by django49

[hamerhead]

I always liked that crunchy sound they made when you step on them.

[Armitage]

Coil cables are very capacitive and kill top end... and they tug at everything as you move. So if you like a loss of high end and having your pedals follow your feet like puppies, go for it.

[Saul Goodman]

On 2/20/2026 at 8:16 PM, cmatthes said:

Unless you’re a dog, a dolphin or maybe Eric Johnson, the answer is “No”.

I've been trying to teach my dog how to whistle for weeks now. So either he's not understanding or I can't hear a dog whistle. So I'm going to stick with the straight cables. 

[The Shark]

It has more to do with the length of the cable than anything.  My bandmate Steve was a firm believer that a coiled cable sounded better than the same length straight cable.  Then, Eric Johnson made it so.  

Frankly, the treble and presence controls on the amp mitigate the need for a coiled cable.  JMHO.

I do, however, have a coiled cable in my gig case, if my wireless units fail.  It's more of a trip precaution than anything...