Do you Trust "George L." as a patch cable?

[::::BASSIST::::]

For various reasons I am considering making a George L. cable to use as my main patch cable to my amp.

I need something versatile as it is (one right anlge 'L' on each side), but I am not sure it will be durable, due to the nature of the way the ends connect to withstand the rigours & demands of gig use.

Patch cables have to take alot of abuse. Can the George L. handle it over the long-haul?

[rollcall]

I have the same george l cable for seven years as my one and only. I go without a back up and play up to six gigs a week and it has never let me down. The right angle version is less reliable. those should be used for pedal boards only...



www.myspace.com/thebustapes

[::::BASSIST::::]

The reason I need two right angles is that I am going to put together a DIY rack and permanently mount my 3 pedals ( para eq, graphic eq and tuner) into the rack. In order to get it to all fit together properly I need a right angle to go into the input of the first pedal. Then the right angle of the cable will be 'wedged' into place and will not be removed.

Hope that makes sense.

[TomB]

I too can vouch for the straight ends... never a failure, but have no experience with the right angle.

[bongomania]

I've been using George L's for several years. If you assemble them correctly, test them with a cable tester, and then apply Loctite to the threaded part, they will be totally reliable. The only problem they have is coming unthreaded due to vibration and bumping of the rig, if you fail to Loctite them. When they unscrew even a little bit, the connection can become intermittent or even dead, until you tighten that one screw that came loose.

They are best in a rack or on a pedalboard that doesn't get changed around much, as those are places they won't get pulled on or otherwise moved around. But they are also fine as main instrument cables. On the one hand they might get chopped in two more easily than a heavy-duty regular cable, but OTOH if that happens all you have to do is screw the plug onto the new chopped end of the cable, and keep playing.

[dkhp124]

I personally think Lavacables are more sturdy than George L cables, but just my opinion. Have you looked into them?

[::::BASSIST::::]

Never heard of Lava Cables before. I checked them out and they look interesting.

My main concern, as long as I can get two right angles, is durability and sturdiness. I guess I'll have to look into it further.

[dkhp124]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Never heard of Lava Cables before. I checked them out and they look interesting.

My main concern, as long as I can get two right angles, is durability and sturdiness. I guess I'll have to look into it further.

I use Lavacables and I love them. The rest of my band is switching from their own cables (Planet Wave, George L) to the ones I use. They're a bit more pricey than the George L's, but their right angle plugs are smaller, and the sleeve design feels more sturdy to me. Good luck.

[JTE]

I have George L (actually Bill Lawrence's version as they started together) cables I made in 1983. I use them all the time.

My pedal boards have about 30 right-angle George L plugs between them. Never a problem. Now, I managed a guitar store and the ONLY time I've ever seen a problem with them was when they weren't built correctly.

Make a SHARP clean cut. I use a SHARP razor knife and hit it with the side of my palm, like a karate chop. That cuts the wrap, the sheild, the inner insulator, and the inner conductor clean and smooth.

Insert it gently yet firmly until it connects. Check the continuity of the conductors before you bend the cable to insert the thumb-screw. Then carefully bend the cable and tighten down the thumb screw. Check the continuity of the connectors again.

John

[fishtx]

I wrench them down tight...and since I started doing that, have not had any problems...