Repairing guitar cables

[diablo175]

I was cleaning up in the ol' workshop last week when I came across a couple of nice Monster Rock cables. Both were lying around unused because I had managed to snap off the plug/prong portion on the 90 degree angled ends. Other than that, they're in excellent condition

Monster used to have a pretty good return/repair/replace policy. These are likely well outside of any such guarantee.

Is it worth it to try to have a new plug/prong attached? Can it be done easily?

[Bloozguy]

In the FAQ section of Monster's website they make the following statement:

"All our cables have a lifetime warranty. You must call us for a RMA number for replacement. 877-800-8989"

I would give that a try first.

If they can't or won't help you can certainly replace the broken end with either a Switchcraft or Neutrik end. If you've got a decent soldering setup it's not hard to do yourself. Otherwise PM me and I can have one of my techs replace the ends for you.

[diablo175]

Awesome- I missed that part of their FAQ's.

Many, many thanks for the offer of assistance. May take you up on that but I've been a reg'lar soldering dynamo lately , might take a crack at it myself.

This is one of the reasons HFC rocks!

[velorush]

If you solder it up yourself, grab some shrink tubing to finish the job - really strengthens the end.

[JohnnyB]

You could check with your local GC. I wouldn't be surprised if you could bring in your non-functional Monster for an even exchange for a working new one.

[LostArt]

gc will usually swap them out

monster's policy has changed they want it one year old or less with a reciept but if you hammer them they will give you an rma.

I quit using monster a long time ago.

CBI cables are made in the usa with neutrik ends and USA beldon wire they have a real lifetime warranty but the thing is you will never have to use it. because they are that good.

I have been selling them for a few years now and they are great

[diablo175]

gc will usually swap them out

monster's policy has changed they want it one year old or less with a reciept but if you hammer them they will give you an rma.

I quit using monster a long time ago.

CBI cables are made in the usa with neutrik ends and USA beldon wire they have a real lifetime warranty but the thing is you will never have to use it. because they are that good.

I have been selling them for a few years now and they are great

That's all good but I still got a 20' and a 15' cable that are perfectly good, outside of the broken jack prong. It'd be a shame and a waste to throw them away when they can be resuscitated....

[dragan]

+1 on cbi cables ,I use their mic cables , theyre 22 ga wire over std 24 ga . and come in 30 ' length over 25 "

[JohnnyB]

I just looked at Monster's current warranty statement. It looks like their primary concern now is avoiding replacing counterfeit products, so they require a receipt that not only proves purchase but more importantly proves the product was bought from an authorized dealer. So unless you get a guy at GC who still goes by the old exchange policy, you'd need your receipt to prove it's a genuine Monster product.

So to your original question, it shouldn't be a big deal to replace the right angle plug, and it provides the opportunity to replace it with something more rugged by Switchcraft or Neutrik. Since the conductors, plugs, and terminations are fairly large and easy to work with (as opposed to HDMI cables or even cords that go to mini-plugs), you don't have to be a soldering whiz, just reasonably good, to perform the task. I think all you need is a wire cutter/stripper, soldering iron, and the right kind of solder. Somebody here can clue you in on what that would be. Even if you hired someone to do it, the labor would be $25 at most and you still come out ahead of throwing it away.

[diablo175]

So? What special solder do I need? Anyone? I have already flux core for my pick up swapping procedures. Will that work?

[Bloozguy]

The best solder to use is 63/37 flux core. That's 63% tin (Sn) and 37% lead (Pb). Lead-free or "RoHS compliant" solder is horrible for cables and connectors...and its higher melting temperature creates more gases which are dangerous to the user.

[Ting Ho Dung]

You could check with your local GC. I wouldn't be surprised if you could bring in your non-functional Monster for an even exchange for a working new one.

I had a 15' cable and a brand new puppy I rescued from a couple crack heads. One day she decided that my cable was too long and bit off the end. She then bit off inch-long pieces until it was the correct length to her. I put all the pieces in a bag and took it to GC and asked if it was covered under warranty. Walked out with a brand new one at the correct 15' length.

[diablo175]

The best solder to use is 63/37 flux core. That's 63% tin (Sn) and 37% lead (Pb). Lead-free or "RoHS compliant" solder is horrible for cables and connectors...and its higher melting temperature creates more gases which are dangerous to the user.

Anything I need to know about soldering to gold innards?

LINK

[Bloozguy]

Anything I need to know about soldering to gold innards?

Nope. Gold is a very ideal surface for soldering. Just make sure to follow the directions, especially the strip lengths, for those Neutrik plugs.