Cable length

[Peter Antal]

I'm buying a new guitar cable next week but cannot decide what length to choose. I usually play at home but might also jam with friends occasionally. No gigging, no stage use, no pedals. I either plug into my 1x12" combo amp or the Toneport on my desktop.

What cable length would you recommend me? Available lengths I may choose from are: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 and 25 feet.

8 to 15 feet seems to be the range I should consider.

 

[DazH]

Re: Cable length

12, with a cheapy velcro cable tidy or somesuch, if need be.

 

[big_black]

Re: Cable length

Once you get up around 25 feet the signal will start to degrade. Other than that, I don't think length matters much. I like 15'.

 

[zero element]

Re: Cable length

I prefer 12' but for your use I think an 8 would do just fine and also save you a little bit of money.

 

[greco]

Re: Cable length

12' to 15' for me

Dave

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: Cable length

I'd say around 12 feet, maybe 15 just in case you need a little extra length.

 

[Glass Snuff]

Re: Cable length

For the uses you mentioned, I use a 6 footer.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Cable length

I use a 10 or 12' cable. Currently, when I use my 10' Monster cable, I use the included velcro to keep about 4 winds together to keep it out of my way. At band rehearsal I use the entire length.

Less than 10' could be a problem for me.

 

[Kac]

Re: Cable length

I'd say 10 or 12 feet. It's enough to jam with friends and be able to move around and not too much that it gets in the way all the time at home.

 

[Smilemon]

Re: Cable length

I like a 10 or an 18, or 2 tens and 1 pedal in the middle.

 

[SonofaMitch]

Re: Cable length

Anything After 18' you'll start to Notice "alien interference" in a Live band/P.A. System situation...due to Improper grounding....so anything up to 18' in my books

~Mitch~

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Cable length

I like 12 - 15 ft cables. It's enough room to move around, and not enough to hurt your guitar signal too much.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Cable length

I've always been partial to 20' cables.

Although I'm not as "active" on the stage as I used to be- I should really re-evaluate that...

(says the dummy who just bought a 20' cable yesterday...)

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Cable length

You can always coil up and tidy a few feet of a cable if you have too much for your needs.

You can't do the opposite easily.

For my live rig I use a 10 footer to go to my PodXT Live. From the PodXT there's two 25 footers that go to my Atomic amp.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Cable length

for around the house i use a 10 feet cord almost all the time... even when jamming in friends basements i use a 10 footer... but to be honest sometimes i use i had my 15 foot cords unpacked from my gig bags... i have not been in a band in 2 years yet all my bar and stage gig stuff is still packed ready to go...

If i'm using effect pedals when jamming with friends i use 2 10 foot cords...

 

[pinto79]

Re: Cable length

I quit buying cables a long time ago. I use 3 with my rig, a 15 and 2 20's. and one of the 20's is a backup. None of them come close to touching my guitar. Ever. I use a Samson VHF-TD True Diversity Wireless for everything, jamming and recording alike.

I can't recommend a wireless enough. If you get a good one, you're set. I've had mine for 5 years and have never had a single issue with it.

 

[lex666]

Re: Cable length

I quit buying cables a long time ago. I use 3 with my rig, a 15 and 2 20's. and one of the 20's is a backup. None of them come close to touching my guitar. Ever. I use a Samson VHF-TD True Diversity Wireless for everything, jamming and recording alike.

I can't recommend a wireless enough. If you get a good one, you're set. I've had mine for 5 years and have never had a single issue with it.

+1

I used an 18 foot leash for many years until I went wireless. Going wireless is priceless. The freedom is like day and night. You'll wonder why it took you so long to go wireless...

 

[Peter Antal]

Re: Cable length

Thanks for the help, guys!

I'll go for a 8', 10' or 12' cable, or maybe one shorter and one longer. Length will depend on the price of the cable as well. I'm placing my order at Lava Cable, they have a lot of different brands in stock. Going wireless is tempting but in my case using a cable will probably be more convenient and much cheaper. However, if I find a good deal next week, I might consider one.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Cable length

Go with 15. This way if you decide to go with some pedals in the future you will have enogh length to get far enough away from the amp.