"BEST guitar cable?

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:50 am

I don't want to start a flame war, or anything else for that matter, but my friend would like a quality cable for his strat guitar (in case single-coil pickups would need a different cable type than a humbucker model) and I am to get him one. I understand that some expensive ones might make the sound a little better, but to make this fair lets say I want a reasonable cable for under $25, and length would be best at 15-20 feet if possible.
And for the record, I know lots of people used cheap cables in the 1960s and their music came out great! That isn't the point. I want a RELIABLE cable, not so much the longest or the one wrapped in tweed cloth, etc.

If there is a better thread in the past (I tried searching, but came up empty), just point me to it and I won't bug you guys.

Oops... I haven't mentioned anything Rickenbacker yet and don't want this thread banned! So... I might get a second cable to use with my Rickenbacker guitar! Haha.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:01 pm

25 bucks for a "premium" cable will get you in at the bottom of the heap, for a fifteen-footer, on sale at GC...

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:54 pm

I really like the Planet Waves cables - nice and flexible, and very solid construction. Mine are at least 3 years old, and show no signs of stress.

$30 will get you a 15' cable from Musician's Friend.

nukebass · Post by **nukebass** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:39 pm

I bought one of those Fender Vintage Voltage cloth covered cables three years ago when Musiciansfriend was having one of their big clearance sales. It is 18 feet I think and I got it for under 20 dollars. They are 25 regularly. It has outlasted the planet waves cable I paid 30+ dollars for 6 years ago that started crackling after a year. The one time I spend decent money on a cable it doesn't last. Just my luck

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:07 pm

www.whirlwindusa.com/inst01.html

I have been using Whirlwind cables for decades with great reliability and sound quality for reasonable $$$.

hoptownbass · Post by **hoptownbass** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:30 pm

Monster Cable makes a great cable, with a lifetime guarantee.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:30 am

For a LOT of cable info:

http://lavacable.com/

As for me, I have converted to George L's exclusively. There are better high-end cables, but the clarity and definition I'm getting now is astonishing.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:06 am

"Under $25?"

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:07 am

I'm really enjoying the Vox premium cable that I recently purchased. You can read about the quality differences between their premium and regular cables at the Vox web-site. I think the cost is a little bit over the target $25 range.
Regards Rich F.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:35 am

It never occured to me that a cable could affect your sound.

I've played the same 2 cables I got from GC about 8 years ago, they're still fine, even though they generally get stuffed into the back of my amp for transport to gigs (very old school, stuffing them into the open back of one's amp).

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:08 am

George L's are also good sounding low capacitance cables.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:24 am

David,

Funny you should mention the Monster cable giving a little muddy sound. At a gig this past weekend my Planet Waves cable started crackling. I swapped it out with a Monster (Bass) cable I had for a back-up. There was a definite addition of "Mud" in my tone! I didn't care for it at all, not to mention the stiffness of the Monster (watch out for a picture from Jared

) was a PITA.
Has anyone sent a Planet Waves cable back for service?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:38 am

I was going to post how my tele playing co-hort uses a Monster cable, and is not piercing me with with twang. Perhaps if I go back to my strat a "muddier" cable might be the thing.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:19 pm

George L's

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:00 pm

That's 3 votes for George L's.