Storing cables?

[BloodRose]

Wasn't sure what the best topic to put this under would be, so hope this is ok..

Ok, Im sure you all have bunches of cables around.. How do you all store them??
I am very careful to gently loosely roll em up when I'm done so they are not rolled too tight or bent in any way.. And also take new ones and do the same to protect em. I also use velcro cable ties to tie em up.

I have most of my extra small "pedal" cables and adapters and special things in a bag. laid flat and all. In the past, I have had all my extra cables laid flat in a plastic container. I am trying to set up a music room and am looking for the most efficient way to store my cables. I tried to take wire and make hooks to where I could hang them all on a hanger buy the hooks. But that didnt work so well.

Any one have suggestions for a safe, convenient and space effective way to store cables?? Or just laid out in a container about the best thing??
My Wife is OCD and likes everything perfect.. I also am trying to be more organized and get my stuff more organized so that I can spend less time searching for stuff and more time playing. PLUS, Ive found stuff I forgot I had because its been buried and so I wasted money buying a duplicate.
Anywhoo... Just want to arrange best way possible to both protect my cables and have access to em..

Thank you!!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Storing cables?

They are stored loosely rolled (along with an awful lot of small patch cables) at the bottom of my pedalboard bag.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Storing cables?

I have some high end ones coiled (over/under style always) on the horns of some my guitars on my walls.

https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/2018/01/25/how-to-properly-coil-microphone-cables/

and some that stay plugged in to amps all of the time and coiled at the base of under the handle in the case of a Marshall.

Gig ones stay coiled in my Guitar bags, a gig bag, and in the back of open back amps.

The rest are thrown in a giant army bag and a road case and start out coiled and never end up that way but once a year I pull out all of my instrument cables and re-solder and fix stuff.

 

[SkyMonkey]

Re: Storing cables?

Store them in a similar way to how they are shipped. You have got to assume the manufacturer has the cables' best interests at heart.
I think the main thing is to avoid introducing any twists as you coil them, and not too tight. Store in the dark to slow down the perishing effects of UV light on the plastic/rubber sleeves. I save all the bread-bag style wire twisty things that hold the leads together on things like new PSU adapters, to keep them easily separated if you have to store a load in one case. Cheaper than the special Velcro straps. Though many high end cables now come with those straps, or similar.
I have cables that are still going strong after 15 years.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Storing cables?

Coiled up and hanging on the bull horns that are on top of the amp head.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Storing cables?

i have a few hundred feet of various cables and everything that isnt in regular use is coiled loosely, tied with velcro, and put in milk crates so they can be stacked but no moisture is trapped

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Storing cables?

I like the 1/2 inch double sided velcro ties. Get a big roll and it will last a long time. Better than the "cable ties" music stores try and sell you and much cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M8H0MF6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Storing cables?

I use a double-sided Velcro wrap and fasten a key-chain loop at one end. Then I stick a Command adhesive Small Wire Hook on the wall. Once the adhesive is set, I hang the cable on the wall by the hook.

At least this is what I used to do before I took it all down to put up my pedal shelves. Now the cables hang from a Middle Atlantic cable organizer and similar products. And I’ve got a bunch in drawers.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Storing cables?

I have some high end ones coiled (over/under style always) on the horns of some my guitars on my walls.

https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/2018/01/25/how-to-properly-coil-microphone-cables/

and some that stay plugged in to amps all of the time and coiled at the base of under the handle in the case of a Marshall.

Gig ones stay coiled in my Guitar bags, a gig bag, and in the back of open back amps.

The rest are thrown in a giant army bag and a road case and start out coiled and never end up that way but once a year I pull out all of my instrument cables and re-solder and fix stuff.

+1 for the over/under method of coiling cables. I also make sure to un-coil and recoil cables that I'm not using every few months to avoid them developing memory.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Storing cables?

Velcro
Neatly coiled
Some in the backs of combo amps
Some in open plastic tubs
Some laying on the floor in front of the current amp
One laying under the night stand in the bedroom
Half dozen coiled under the piano under the sheet in the livingroom

 

[Mincer]

Re: Storing cables?

I have them in a padded bag I got from Planet Waves for sending in string packages...it has a ton of pockets. That's what I bring to gigs. Other cables I don't use are stored in a bin.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Storing cables?

Well, duh! All over the floor of the studio where I last used them is obviously the right answer!

Seriously, as others have said, loosely coiled and either stored (plastic boxes) or hanging.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Storing cables?

Velcro
Neatly coiled
Some in the backs of combo amps
Some in open plastic tubs
Some laying on the floor in front of the current amp
One laying under the night stand in the bedroom
Half dozen coiled under the piano under the sheet in the livingroom

I like it. Keep 'em all over. You never know when you'll have to defend yourself.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Storing cables?

I like it. Keep 'em all over. You never know when you'll have to defend yourself.

One never knows when you'll need a whip or a garrote

 

[devastone]

Re: Storing cables?

Well, duh! All over the floor of the studio where I last used them is obviously the right answer!

Seriously, as others have said, loosely coiled and either stored (plastic boxes) or hanging.

Yep, the ones I used last are probably still on the floor, the others are stored in plastic totes or gig bags.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Storing cables?

Over-under looped and packed gently into a small road case. That's how it's always been for me. Some cables I use for recording only. I never hang them, I just lay them on the top of the outboard studio gear rack or put in a drawer of mics and XLR cables.

 

[Securb]

Re: Storing cables?

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Storing cables?

Anybody ever seen the thesis a guy mathematician did on why your cables no matter how hard you try will always get tangled?

I'll see if I can find it -it's pretty funny

Entropy wins eventually.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Storing cables?

Anybody ever seen the thesis a guy mathematician did on why your cables no matter how hard you try will always get tangled?

I'll see if I can find it -it's pretty funny

Entropy wins eventually.

It may win
But atrophy fades
Apathy dont care
Empathy is concerned

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Storing cables?

I only keep cables I’m using and they only get coiled during transport to gigs or studio. I do loose over/under for that and use Velcro ties just firm enough to hold. The only cables that really get stored are the power cables for amps I’m not using at the moment. Those I coil back just like the factory had them using the tie that came with them. Never had a problem in thirty years.