preferred cables?

[ryan99]

i must've gone through about 7 cables this year so im lookin to buy a cable around maybe 20- 25 dollars thatll last me awhile, anyone got any personal suggestions?:help

[sunvalleylaw]

I like the LiveWire ones at Guitar Center. Seem solid, seem quiet and in fact reduced noise I had before replacing some real cheapies with them, and seem to do the job. I think Plank Spanker has used them in his band setting and as I remember, likes them.

Here is an example:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live-Wire-Advantage-Series-14-Straight-Instrument-Cable?sku=330470

[t_ross33]

My current "go to" cable is a 25' Yorkville with a nice tweed-like cloth braid.

[Monkus]

Audiopipe cloth

[duhvoodooman]

I like the LiveWire ones at Guitar Center. Seem solid, seem quiet and in fact reduced noise I had before replacing some real cheapies with them, and seem to do the job.
+1. I have a bunch of those LiveWire cables and have only had a single one go bad on me. Well worth the $$, esp. when GC/MF is running a deal on them....

[Robert]

The Yorkville tweed cable is really good, and inexpensive.

http://www.apexelectronics.com/products.asp?type=17&cat=47&id=1281

http://www.apexelectronics.com/images/products/cables/PV__V.jpg

[marnold]

+1. I have a bunch of those LiveWire cables and have only had a single one go bad on me. Well worth the $$, esp. when GC/MF is running a deal on them....
Those seem pretty reasonably priced. Didja ever happen to check the capacitance on one of them?

[Tig]

I have several LiveWires between effects boxes, and they seem pretty good.
For longer and medium runs, I've been replacing my home made George L's (too dang stiff and loopie) with various quality levels of Monster cables. Yes, they are pricy, but really well made and I can't find anything wrong with them.

For data and AV cables (TV/DVR's), I use only Belkin cables. Best bang for the buck, IMO. I've had great success for decades with Belkin.

[otaypanky]

I have a couple of Monsters I'd trade ya' for your George L's if they are the .225 size Tig.

I don't like Monster cables. These are the Monster Jazz cables, big and thick, but they are supple and handle well. I don't like them for the tone loss I hear at partial volume on the guitar pot. I had some Monster Rock cables and two times the tip just snapped off. So the second time it happened I was no longer living near where I bought them and called Monster. He said the shop local to my new home carried them and would replace the. I knew the shop and go there often. But, they didn't carry them and suggested in the meantime I try a George L.
BIG difference to my ears. 999 out of 1000 times I just plug straight in to the amp and use my guitar controls. At anything less than full volume on the guitar pot, the Monsters sound like mud to me while the George L's seem to preserve some of the highs and sparkle. A Vovox is my #1 cable, but at $117 for a 10' length I haven't sprung for a backup yet ~ LOL
When I run a tuner pedal I use the Vovox and a George L
While I'm not crazy about the Monster Cables, they do have outstanding customer support. I called them back and told them none of the local shops had them and could I take him up on his previous order to send them back to Monster. They were at least 2 years old, maybe older. He cheerfully exchanged them for 2 new 21' Jazz cables

[Tig]

My George L's are just the .155 size. Maybe the thicker one's don't get as coiled up and stiff? I still use a George L for extension speakers.

The Monster cables I'm using aren't the jazz, but the Performer 500 and Rock cables. Maybe I'll A/B them with my many other cables.

Funny that you mention the Monster's breaking... My audio/videophile brother had similar bad experiences with Monster cables breaking. I'm fairly gentle with my gear, but who knows what will happen?

[Jimi75]

I have made my choice about 2 years ago when a friend recommended KLOTZ calbes to me. Tried and liked it very much. Very thick and harmonic sounding, you can feel the difference.

[Robert]

I bought Mogami cables from http://www.lavacable.com and they are very good. However, they are not cheap.

[otaypanky]

My George L's are just the .155 size. Maybe the thicker one's don't get as coiled up and stiff? I still use a George L for extension speakers.

The Monster cables I'm using aren't the jazz, but the Performer 500 and Rock cables. Maybe I'll A/B them with my many other cables.

Funny that you mention the Monster's breaking... My audio/videophile brother had similar bad experiences with Monster cables breaking. I'm fairly gentle with my gear, but who knows what will happen?

On mine it was the 1/4" tip that would break off of the plug end, right down at the base. I'm pretty easy on gear too, I was shocked when it happened the first time and amazed when it happened to a 2nd one.
I originally had the Monster Rocks. The guy at Monster was kind enough to exchange them for the Jazz. I had explained how the shop he recommended had suggested a George since they were out of Monster and the differences I heard. He thought the Jazz would sound better. Not ~

I'm not sure if a cable would mean a hill of beans to a guy playing through a pile of pedals, but if your rig consists of a guitar, a tuner pedal and an amp, it's likely you will notice a difference

[duhvoodooman]

Some reading material:

http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/Issue/2008/May/Guitar_Cable_Roundup_Part_One.aspx

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jun/Guitar_Cable_Roundup_Part_Two.aspx

http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/49-guitar-cables/apr-08/34729

[Commodore 64]

I bought some Ernie Ball cable because it has a lifetime warranty. Cables are like hard drives, it's not a matter of if, but when they break. So I say any cable with a lifetime warranty is a good choice.

[Eric]

Some reading material:

http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/Issue/2008/May/Guitar_Cable_Roundup_Part_One.aspx

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jun/Guitar_Cable_Roundup_Part_Two.aspx

http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/49-guitar-cables/apr-08/34729
Thanks for those links. I will admit that I find it hard to buy into the idea of high-end cables, but it's good knowledge nonetheless. If nothing else, I now know that Whirlwind cables share my feelings...

[Eric]

I like the LiveWire ones at Guitar Center. Seem solid, seem quiet and in fact reduced noise I had before replacing some real cheapies with them, and seem to do the job. I think Plank Spanker has used them in his band setting and as I remember, likes them.
I have some of these and they work pretty well, but I find them to have two kind of annoying tendencies: 1) really springy and coil-y (i.e. they don't like to lie flat), and 2) the darn connectors are always unscrewing. Do you have any workarounds for #2? Do you shrink-wrap the connectors or anything?

Personally, being all about design, durability, and handling (and price...kind of...), I think my favorite cables are self-soldered jobs with Canare GS-6 cable and Neutrik connectors, but they end up being more expensive than a lot of pre-packaged cables.

[Tig]

2) the darn connectors are always unscrewing. Do you have any workarounds for #2? Do you shrink-wrap the connectors or anything?


Blue LocTite 242. Dab some on the male threads and let completely dry, then screw back together. Red LocTite would be way too permanent, so avoid!