Matt Mattson Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 I've had a guitar/amp cable giving trouble so took it apart today and the connector is cracked (center connection). I'm planning on re-soldering it, but should I also re-solder the cable sleave, or just cut the ends and get a new plugs and re-do it all? How long are cables good for (these are just cheapies).
cmatthes Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 Buy a decent quality cable and you'll be way better off all-around. I used to do the cheap cable rout when I started out, but it didn't take long to realize that a $40 cable will outlast 5 $15-$20 cables every time.Try Planet Waves or something similar to that - there are a TON more great quality cables out there now than when I first started playing.
Matt Mattson Posted June 4, 2007 Author Posted June 4, 2007 Buy a decent quality cable and you'll be way better off all-around. I used to do the cheap cable rout when I started out, but it didn't take long to realize that a $40 cable will outlast 5 $15-$20 cables every time.Try Planet Waves or something similar to that - there are a TON more great quality cables out there now than when I first started playing.OK. Does anyone out there still make up their own cables?
BadJaxx Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 +1...a good cable is definitely worth the money, not only because it'll last longer, but there is noticeable sonic improvement...i won't tell you that one brand is better than another cuz just like most else, it can be subjective...and you can get good cables for a reasonable price....Planet Waves, Monster, Lifelines, George L, Mogami, and others...ya wouldn't put a $20 Radio Shack speaker in your amp would ya?
DavidE Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 Life is too short to play with cheap cables.I have Spectraflex, Monster, George L's and Planet Waves. The Spectraflex are getting pretty old and still work great and have held up cosmetically as well.The Monster cables are holding up well too, but to me they don't look like they should cost what they do.I mostly use George L's for my pedalboard, but I recenly picked up some red 10' cables and they're nice where they'll reach. I wouldn't use one from the guitar to the board or amp since they are thin and coil funny.I recently picked up a variety of George L's because I wanted the spring loaded plugs and on one I wanted the circuit breaker plug. The circuit breaker plug broke very quickly. Not recommended. The others are ok, but I don't know how I feel about fancy cables with molded plugs. The springs in the plug allowed me to use my active USA Fender Jazz Bass Plus without putting in a new output jack. It cut in and out with my other cables.Here's a place that will custom make some cables for you at a reasonable cost:http://www.best-tronics.com/guitar-cable/index.htmI bought a wireless transmitter cable from them and was VERY happy with the quality. Much better than expected.
Matt Mattson Posted June 4, 2007 Author Posted June 4, 2007 Thanks. I used to make cables for aircraft, but it's been 30 years ago. I'll probably redo both ends on this one with new hardware, whomever soldered it just dropped solder on the joint, so of course it cracked.
unfun 75 Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 Redco.com is a good supplier for bulk cable and connectors. You can't go wrong with Canare cable and Neutrik and/or G&H plugs.
KH Guitar Freak Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 When I first started out on guitar, I used to use some cheap arse cables...Then one day, I compared it to another cable that was around twice the price of mine, and couldn't believe I was still using the cheap one, had to get a decent one myself...Hence, I'm using the regular Planet Waves cable with 24k gold plating, and can't complain about them myself...
Matt Mattson Posted June 4, 2007 Author Posted June 4, 2007 Redco.com is a good supplier for bulk cable and connectors. You can't go wrong with Canare cable and Neutrik and/or G&H plugs.That was a good link, thanks.
Mindseyes Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 I have had really good luck with planet waves stuff.Been using a 20' for the past 3 years of heavy giging without one problem.I've had their pedal board kit on my pedal board for about a year and a half witout any problems also!Before i started using PW stuff i was using my local mom and pop store brand Cables with a lifetime waranty (think they were hosa?) and would have to go swap them out about every two-three months cuz they would crap out.........usualy at gig's.......nothing beter than a Cable craping out in the middle of a song with a packed house!!!
Matt Mattson Posted June 4, 2007 Author Posted June 4, 2007 I just checked the cables I replaced with the cheapies (because they went bad) and they're Planet Waves. Maybe I'm just having a bad run. In aircraft those things almost never go bad (I said almost, but in reality, I can't remember them ever going bad).Maybe they go bad because I play with more energy than you guys do.Yeah, that's it. Must be the energy thing.
Armitage Posted June 4, 2007 Posted June 4, 2007 Redco.com is a good supplier for bulk cable and connectors. You can't go wrong with Canare cable and Neutrik and/or G&H plugs.I really like Canare GS-6 Instrument Cable, big bang for the buck too.
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