Cables

[lowslung]

What are the best patch cables and guitar cables to use?

I'm redesigning my pedal board and I need to update my patch and input/output cables so as not to compromise tone...

Cheers

L

[AmpShop]

I'll make a shameless plug for a couple of products I carry

The Lava Cable solderless pedalboard cable kit is great - easy solder-less assembly, very slim-profile plugs, and they sound really good.

Alternatively, I make the Freedom cables for pedalboards, using either G&H or Switchcraft plugs (I like the latter for Pedaltrain type boards) and Canare 6mm or 4mm cable. Really good sounding cables, and I can build them to the exact lengths and plug orientation required.

If you are going to stick with a fixed design/arrangement of pedals on your board, either cable is a great option. If you're the type who unplugs the patch cables a lot, the soldered connections on the Freedom cables will be that wee bit more durable.

[ash]

Before you go too far, take a look at the physical size and cable orientation of the various plugs available. It makes a huge difference to how close together you can get you pedals and thus hown many can fit on your board.

It can be a real disappointment to upgrade from nasty (but compact) moulded patch cables only to find the fancy ones don't fit.

[nzsimon1]

http://www.jansen.co.nz/product.php?b=&sku=SG105 pack of 6

[stark]

Besides robustness, capacitance is the big issue for me, esp with longer cable lengths, and most mfers aren't very upfront about this vital characteristic.

I use mostly George L cables and patch cables - I know for a fact they're very low cap, and I've been happy with them.

I've had a few Fender/Whirlwind cables that have lasted well, the cable itself is about MOR capacitance-wise, but for 10 ft cables not too much of an issue.

I don't need any ATM, but if I was looking for a new main guitar cable, I'd prolly give one of the Freedom ones a go. Lava patch cable at 21pf per foot looks pretty good to me.

[AmpShop]

Before you go too far, take a look at the physical size and cable orientation of the various plugs available. It makes a huge difference to how close together you can get you pedals and thus hown many can fit on your board.

It can be a real disappointment to upgrade from nasty (but compact) moulded patch cables only to find the fancy ones don't fit.

Indeed, that's why I'm gravitating towards the Switchcraft plugs for the Freedom patch cables these days.

The Lava plugs are very small/discreet - smaller than the George L plugs by way of their different ground connection style.

[Basket Case]

I've used bothe George Ls and Lava kits. Both are great and about the same price. The Lava seem a bit more solid, but are a bit more work to put together.

[Basket Case]

I discovered another plus for the Lavas tonight; you can use the jacks on non-Lava cables too

[lowslung]

Cool - Thanks for all your suggestions - might buy a cheap 10 buck set to sort out the order that I need and then upgrade to decent stuff.

I also have a strange little doodacky in my kit, which is essentially 2 jack plugs (wired / glued / soldered?) together - no cable involved and is really good for connecting pedals of the same type - i.e. boss, tuner & tremelo, or my ibanez cp805 compressor and ts-9

Anyone seen any of these around?

I'll try and get a pic

Great for reducing space on the board...

L

[rocklander]

those wireless gender bender plugs always kinda put me off. I couldn't help but worry that they'll put undue strain on either pedal when leaning on one (to enable/disable) through to the other, or put pressure on the device itself in the same way...

[Basket Case]

Yeah, I've found them near impossible to use.

[nzsimon1]

you mean like this http://www.jansen.co.nz/product.php?b=&sku=AT265G