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Post by angelodp on Nov 22, 2009 15:06:22 GMT -5
I use Goerge L stuff for short connectors to fx boxes etc, but I notice that they tend to degrade in terms of a solid connection over time. What is the best guitar cable method DIY. I have been taking readings and the ground is always nil bit the center ( + ) is the connection that tends to vary upwards.
Ange
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Post by ashcatlt on Nov 22, 2009 23:05:21 GMT -5
Not sure what you're asking for here. To my mind there are quite a number of perfectly acceptable guitar cables in the range of $1 per foot. You'll never build them for this price, if you include connectors and time/frustration. In case you meant trying to fix what you've got... Well, you could just snip off the ends. Test the bare cable and the bare ends. If neither shows a problem maybe hack off 6" from either side and re-solder. I've lately been leaving about 1" of the original wire connected to the plug, stripping it, and twisting the new wire on. Then solder. It avoids having to clean up the gob of solder that's already there. It seems to only work once, though. Don't even bother trying to fix molded connectors, except for a very temporary solution.
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Post by gumbo on Nov 23, 2009 8:09:18 GMT -5
Hi.. I guess any response here is going to question first what it is you're trying to achieve. On this side of the pond at least, and particularly in my home town where temperatures inside my little ol' Mazda van can go from 0C to 50C depending on the time of year, global warming, and where I left it parked..most things that get left in it are subject to a bit of abuse...not to speak of getting kicked around the stage by an over-enthusiastic rub-board player with a wireless mic who NEVER looks to see where he is putting his feet! IM(quite!)HO, no lead will last forever, all leads will fail in the middle of a solo, and quite often in ways that you don't expect...that includes getting cut in half by the edge of a falling cymbal (although that was something I did to someone else when I was playing drums at the time) ;D IM(other)HO, all leads will poke up differing resistance figures (to which I assume you refer)..and all leads are just ONE link in a LONG chain of components which connect you to a bunch of electronics and then (hopefully!) the fee you get for playing the gig. Before you get too upset about the varying resistance of your leads, just ask yourself whether they are responsible for a degradation in signal that is actually causing a problem...or are you becoming too embroiled in the Math. Just like we have a bunch of light globes in the cupboard at home to guard against the night when the lamp pops in the toilet and everything resorts to braille, good practice is to have spare leads at hand in a live performance situation. We don't take the globe out of the socket in the toilet every day and check the resistance of the filament - but if we are maintaining traffic signals or security lights, we just change the globes regularly to minimise the down time and hopefully avoid a failure. I(another one of)MHO's, there can often be a number of components (lead, jack plugs,solder joints, dirty jack connections, etc) that can contribute to a whole lot more resistance being set up in an assemblage of instrument, effects, amp, etc than you will EVER sucessfully and accurately measure in one lead - so just get the best components, do your best to keep them electrically conductive, and replace stuff if you feel it is affecting your 'sound'. As to what is the "best", I would imagine that there are and/or will be a miriad of differing opinions and 'favourites' (yeah, we spell it like that) out there in ForumLand, so you would be best served by taking notice of what is considered to be good value in your area.. I'm sure someone with extremely more knowledge than I, will chime in with recommendations for what is around on your side of the Ball. In the meantime, try not to get too hung up on the figures - play guitar, enjoy it, and don't listen to the people who say your amp sounds like cr@p because of your lead ....which proves that Resistance is Useless. Hmmm... I'm glad I didn't post the LONG reply...
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Post by D2o on Nov 23, 2009 14:29:28 GMT -5
Hmmm... I'm glad I didn't post the LONG reply... I kinda wish you had ... that was a good read that ended too soon, "IMHO". Cheers, D2o
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Post by angelodp on Nov 23, 2009 16:52:55 GMT -5
Great, as always to bet opinions here. My query has more to do with what others have found to be the most dependable solutions. George L makes some claims as others do. I just find that i am seeing inconsistency with their design as opposed to soldered cables. My tone is just fine.... if I only had fingers like RF haha!! I have heard about HAD checking for little things like this and being maniacal. Just looking to learn all the time.
thanks gang
Ange
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Post by gumbo on Nov 25, 2009 7:07:35 GMT -5
Well, here's the REALLY SHORT post....
I have always made my own cables (well, nearly always)..get the best cable and plugs I can afford for the job in hand, and solder the lot together.
In later years I have taken to also filling the plug body with hot glue after I have finished soldering, just to keep things in place as much as possible and take up the 'strain' that inevitably takes place.
Downside of this, is that I end up doing EVERYBODY's cable repairs, but hey, it's not that onerous a task...I made sure the band bought a reputable cable-tester early on!! ;D
Never mind the tone - feel the cable length!
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