Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

For eons, I've only used straight connectors cabled in all of my instruments. My whirlwinds are over 20 years old and in need of replacement. Here is the question, how do angled ends work in Rickenbacker's? Do they work out better or worse with their lower profile than straight connectors?

What's everyone using?? Back in the day Whirlwinds were good quality. What are the better quality cables nowadays??

Sepp

I use angled connectors, mainly because i like the look better (more low profile, as opposed to sticking 4 inches off the body side). I also think it makes it more difficult for the cable to be accidentally pulled, although feeding it between the strap and body is a more surefire way to do that.

Brand? Bayou cables are excellent, though you may be in for a bit of a wait (worth it if you don't need a replacement right away!).

I've used the angles ones for years and with the cord routed over the strap button it just gives a cleaner look (IMO). Brand wise I can't help ya' since it goes with my wireless.

I've used Bayou as well for some other cables I've needed and their quality/durability seems excellent.

Whirlwind still makes excellent cables, I have bought a few in recent years, both guitar and mic (XLR) cables. I still have a Whirlwind guitar cable from the mid '70s that works just fine. Yes, you heard that correctly, a guitar cable older than John Biscuti.

I just drove by the Whirlwind office last week and was thinking how much I really like their cables. Odd how these thoughts enter guitar player's heads! Everything is covered up so nothing comes undone, and they seem indestructible. Reasonably priced, too. Now they are making some stomp boxes, including the Byrd Box. I'm guessing top quality. They are the original "MXR", of Rochester, NY.

i use neutrik right angle jacks on my basses.

I only use angled leads since my lead was pulled out on stage. Very embarrassing. They are so much better.

In terms of a brand I suggest planet waves they're very strong, reliable and last ages.

I've always looped my cable back around the end of the strap to prevent it from being pulled out. When I played P basses, it also helped to kept the cable out of the way. I don't know why I never thought of switching to an angled cable with my Ric. Old habit, I guess.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Sepp

Theres less chance of damaging the 4001 and the lead with a right angled jack when putting the bass on a stand etc. and with front mounted sockets like Precision and Jazz a straight jack can get in the way of your hand at times.
I went one further and I use a coiled lead with right angle jack (Fender) because I got tired of all the dirt and spilt drinks getting on my lead at grotty clubs when it dragged along the ground.
Try one.

I use angled jacks too. Mine are Planet Waves which also have a circuit breaker button so I can turn off the juice when I switch between guitars. It's a great feature, but I've had problems with the jacks falling apart. They have a lifetime warranty and get replaced no-questions asked, but it is a bit of a pain in the arse.

I use angled Neutrik silent jacks on Klotz 'La Grange' cables. I always send the cable over the strap bolt too. For me this combination is a safe and tidy solution.

I use angle ends as well, for the reasons already stated. I also wrap the cable around the strap button. I don't know why this practice isn't universal. In addition to reducing the chance of pulling the cable out, wrapping the cable around the strap button also reduces the stress on the contact tabs on the inside of the jack because the strap button's holding the weight of the cable, rather than the contacts inside the jack.

If you're handy with a soldering iron, I would suggest buying a bag of 1/4 angle jacks , cutting the old ends off your cables, and soldering the new ends on; quite often it's just the cable end that goes bad, and possibly cable itself where it attaches to the jack.

Another good reason to use a right angle plug in your Rick, is that it' s not in the way when you are sitting in a chair when playing.

Guess I'm alone but I never liked angle jacks. They don't feel as secure when plugged into certain things (boards, etc.) where the angled piece can hit into or ride over a button, a ridge in the chassis, stuff like that...of course they often have a straight jack on the other end of the cable anyway, but still.

They seem to get more in the way than a regular jack sometimes.

I use Vox coil cable with one end right-angle for plugging into the Ric, for the reasons mentioned by others.
The Vox brand are pretty durable cables and will last a long time.