Need YOUR help with CABLES...

[Rainmaker]

Hey guys...

This is my rig:

Guitar --> Tuner --> Boost --> Amp

I need to know what cable lengths I need... general estimations rather than specifics, of course.

I'll need three cables - one will have to be pretty short, to connect the two pedals.

I assume the other two have to be of similar size: one to get the pedals to a good place from the amp, and one to go from guitar to pedals to give myself moving space.

Also, will one poor quality lead ruin the entire signal?

Cheers guys!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Need YOUR help with CABLES...

you are only as good as your weakest link. i use 15' cables most of the time, it all depends on how much leash you need

 

[Bludave]

Re: Need YOUR help with CABLES...

http://www.georgelsstore.com/

George L's are great. I used them to wire my pedal board as well as connect my guitar to the board and the board to the amp. They are real simple to use and generate a very clean signal. They make them in two styles..... .155 which is made for connecting pedals, and .225 which is made to connect the guitars to pedalboard or amps. They also have some options as far as connectors and cable ends. Slightly more $ than a premade cable, but I have used these for 5 or 6 years now and have never had any trouble with them.

Keep in mind this is the website of the maker. You can usually find them cheaper at some retailers. I know MF sells these.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Need YOUR help with CABLES...

Also, will one poor quality lead ruin the entire signal?

mmh hmm, you bet it will. i think that cable length is more of a personal preference though. if you'll be on stange and want some room to roam, 20+ feet may not be a bad idea for between the guitar and the pedals. how much length between the pedals and the amp is totally up to you. at those kinds of lengths, you should be more concerned with having a quality cable than you should be about it's length. i've had good luck with planet waves. personally, i don't think cables are something to be super concerned with unless you're recording, or are in any other situation in which getting the best possible tone is super critical.

when i shop for cables to use live, i actually worry more about the warantee that comes with the cable than the cable itself. because honestly, your audience probably won't hear the difference

the cables that is use for recording purposes and for my practice setup are ones i've constructed using mogami cable and neutrik connectors. those don't go on stage though, as they're geared more toward functionality and fiedlity more than they are duribility. for stage use, worry more about durability.

hope that helps

 

[millsart]

Re: Need YOUR help with CABLES...

Hey guys...

I assume the other two have to be of similar size: one to get the pedals to a good place from the amp, and one to go from guitar to pedals to give myself moving space.

Also, will one poor quality lead ruin the entire signal?

Cheers guys!

I don't belive theres any rule that says you need to use equal length cables. You may want 20 feet from effects to amp but if you stand pretty much in one stop, you could use a 10 foot from guitar to pedals and be just fine.


You signal will only be as good as your worst cable for the most part.

What that means is that using the best of the best cables to hook everything up and then using a $4.99 20' Musicians Friend special into the amp is going to defeat the purpose for the good cables. However, for something like a patch cable between effects even the cheaper stuff like Hosa will work fine. Over a distance of 6" theres really not much difference in signal loss or EMI etc to worry about

George L's are definatly nice for boards but at $60 or so for a set and only have two pedals to connect I don't think it would be a smart buy.


While we are on the subject as well, if your worried about signal chain I'd suggest getting a splitter box and putting the tuner in there instead of in the chain.

Don't know your tuner but being in the chain is going to make more difference than the cables (though again we are talking about things no one would likely hear)

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Need YOUR help with CABLES...

Really? I use Mogami cables live, and they take a beating better than any cable I've ever used. The PVC outer covering is strong stuff.

oh i'm not saying that mogami isn't durable, not at all. all i was trying to get at was that i would rather use something decent with a good warantee on stage than something i made myself . juse in case.