shredaholic
New member
If silver is more conductive than gold, yet is cheaper, why is gold used in guitar cables? Wouldn't it make so much more sense to buy guitar cables with 'silver jacks'?
Gold Guitar Cables - why?
- Thread starter shredaholic
- Start date
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
Silver oxidises (tarnishes) very easily. Pure gold does not oxidise at all. I am guessing that is the reason.
shredaholic said:
Silver oxidises (tarnishes) very easily. Pure gold does not oxidise at all. I am guessing that is the reason.
RW James
New member
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
You know, I had one vendor tell me that gold is not really good for a guitar cable because of the use factor. It's really just gold plating and after time the plating will wear off - and typically the metal underneath is not that conductive. Nickel plating is really better for these appilcations.
In your home stereo setup, gold is probably just fine because you don't break down that much.
You know, I had one vendor tell me that gold is not really good for a guitar cable because of the use factor. It's really just gold plating and after time the plating will wear off - and typically the metal underneath is not that conductive. Nickel plating is really better for these appilcations.
In your home stereo setup, gold is probably just fine because you don't break down that much.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
Another thing cable companies won't tell you is that when you change materials you lose a little bit of efficiency. Copper plugs would corrode as quickly (if not faster) than silver, so you still need to use something different.
In theory, you should use plugs of the same material as your jacks.
Another thing cable companies won't tell you is that when you change materials you lose a little bit of efficiency. Copper plugs would corrode as quickly (if not faster) than silver, so you still need to use something different.
In theory, you should use plugs of the same material as your jacks.
shredaholic
New member
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
I heard in some recording studio in London they have solid gold cable that's really really expensive - is there any truth to this?
I heard in some recording studio in London they have solid gold cable that's really really expensive - is there any truth to this?
J
Jay 77
Guest
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
You're all forgetting the true reason you'd use gold...... because they're gold!
You're all forgetting the true reason you'd use gold...... because they're gold!
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
Possibly true, and certainly expensive, but I think of questionable merit at best becasue gold conducts electricity approx 25% worse than silver, which is just above copper but much more pricey....
If you think a bad copper cable sucks out highs, don´t try gold, seriously
shredaholic said:
Possibly true, and certainly expensive, but I think of questionable merit at best becasue gold conducts electricity approx 25% worse than silver, which is just above copper but much more pricey....
If you think a bad copper cable sucks out highs, don´t try gold, seriously
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
+1
And now gold plated tube pins! How 'bout good tubes for cheap?? Gimme some of that, and keep the gold pins!
And, when did guitar cables become rocket science? Didn't they used to be $10, and now they're asking for $35-$50 for cryogenically sealed, gold plated, NASA approved nonsense? :laugh2:
Zerberus said:Gotta love marketing gimmicks
+1
And now gold plated tube pins! How 'bout good tubes for cheap?? Gimme some of that, and keep the gold pins!
And, when did guitar cables become rocket science? Didn't they used to be $10, and now they're asking for $35-$50 for cryogenically sealed, gold plated, NASA approved nonsense? :laugh2:
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
Yeah, I don't buy into the whole "gold sounds better" hype. I care about conductivity, that's why on the job I install cable that has copper in it instead of aluminum (need a thicker gauge wire to carry similar amperage). Gold just isn't as conductive, so it's a waste. It's for looks and the average person will fall for the gimmick and companies will rip them off. 99% of the companies out there that run the "gold is better" campaign don't even offer a product that has 100% gold, it's all cheap gold plated crap.
GJ brought up a good point. WTF is up with "cryogenic" parts? I could care less if they were chilled to -400 degrees Fahrenheit, what difference does it make for my sound? My reliability? It all seems so foolish to me when I'm playing outdoors in 90 degrees with humidity.
Yeah, I don't buy into the whole "gold sounds better" hype. I care about conductivity, that's why on the job I install cable that has copper in it instead of aluminum (need a thicker gauge wire to carry similar amperage). Gold just isn't as conductive, so it's a waste. It's for looks and the average person will fall for the gimmick and companies will rip them off. 99% of the companies out there that run the "gold is better" campaign don't even offer a product that has 100% gold, it's all cheap gold plated crap.
GJ brought up a good point. WTF is up with "cryogenic" parts? I could care less if they were chilled to -400 degrees Fahrenheit, what difference does it make for my sound? My reliability? It all seems so foolish to me when I'm playing outdoors in 90 degrees with humidity.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
Ideally, I'd like to have a cable made of strands of single crystal silver wire, but I'll probably get my Lamborghini and 60,000 sq.ft. beach house first. :laugh2:
It would actually be cheaper to buy some converters and use optical cables - something that (in theory) NO conductor could beat.
Of course, the price of copper is making aluminum something that a lot more contractors are looking at. We'll allow it, sometimes, on the main feeders.the_Chris said:
Ideally, I'd like to have a cable made of strands of single crystal silver wire, but I'll probably get my Lamborghini and 60,000 sq.ft. beach house first. :laugh2:
It would actually be cheaper to buy some converters and use optical cables - something that (in theory) NO conductor could beat.
tone?
New member
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
too funny! and too true...
what ever happened to the days when Hendrix used that goofy coiled cable that looked like a phone reciever. Could you imagine some dude walking up to Hendrix and telling him " uh, Mr. Hendrix this gold cable we make will make your tone sound better and can work on the moon as well"
Give me a fricken break. i agree that once i buy my Lamborghini and beach house then i will buy one of those funky gold cables. that was a good one.
too funny! and too true...
what ever happened to the days when Hendrix used that goofy coiled cable that looked like a phone reciever. Could you imagine some dude walking up to Hendrix and telling him " uh, Mr. Hendrix this gold cable we make will make your tone sound better and can work on the moon as well"
Give me a fricken break. i agree that once i buy my Lamborghini and beach house then i will buy one of those funky gold cables. that was a good one.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
In order of electrical conductivity:
Silver
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
Of the four, gold is the least prone to corrosion. Aluminum is not common any more (and for a short time was banned in construction) because it is the most prone to expansion and contraction when heated. Aluminum connections would loosen over time, resulting in arcing, which is generally a bad thing. Aluminum is also highly susceptible to galvanic corrosion, which occurs whenever there are two dissimilar metals in contact with an electrical current and moisture (which can be in the air). Gold, copper, and silver are all close to each other in the galvanic series, which lessens the effect of galvanic corrosion.
In Lehman’s terms, gold is used in plating terminals because it “gets along” with most conductors and is the most resistant to corrosion.
In order of electrical conductivity:
Silver
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
Of the four, gold is the least prone to corrosion. Aluminum is not common any more (and for a short time was banned in construction) because it is the most prone to expansion and contraction when heated. Aluminum connections would loosen over time, resulting in arcing, which is generally a bad thing.
Aluminum is also highly susceptible to galvanic corrosion, which occurs whenever there are two dissimilar metals in contact with an electrical current and moisture (which can be in the air). Gold, copper, and silver are all close to each other in the galvanic series, which lessens the effect of galvanic corrosion.In Lehman’s terms, gold is used in plating terminals because it “gets along” with most conductors and is the most resistant to corrosion.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
But most guitarists don't bring a bottle of liquid nitrogen with them to gigs. :laugh2:
Seriously, that's a good post.
All true, as long as you disregard the superconductors.MikeS said:In order of electrical conductivity:
Silver
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
Of the four, gold is the least prone to corrosion. Aluminum is not common any more (and for a short time was banned in construction) because it is the most prone to expansion and contraction when heated. Aluminum connections would loosen over time, resulting in arcing, which is generally a bad thing.
In Lehman’s terms, gold is used in plating terminals because it “gets along” with most conductors and is the most resistant to corrosion.
But most guitarists don't bring a bottle of liquid nitrogen with them to gigs. :laugh2:
Seriously, that's a good post.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Gold Guitar Cables - why?
I don't think the gold makes a difference, what really matter mpst of all is the durability of the cable. I remember years ago buying the $10 Sam Ash guitar cables that would wear out- shrink wrap would swell, connections would rip out, etc.... My monster cables I've only had to buy once
I don't think the gold makes a difference, what really matter mpst of all is the durability of the cable. I remember years ago buying the $10 Sam Ash guitar cables that would wear out- shrink wrap would swell, connections would rip out, etc.... My monster cables I've only had to buy once
