I think I learned my lesson...

JeffBTZ · #1 07-26-2011, 06:59 PM

I was just out in our shop working on some instrument cables. I bought canare GS-6 and some neutrik connectors and was putting a patch cable together for a good friend and guitarist (not guitard, he's actually one of the best musicians I know) who, after I talked to him about custom cables, decided he wanted some patch cables with straight connectors. He doesn't use many effects, just 2-4, at any given time, and therefore wanted to spread them out and make his pedals look a bit cleaner.

I was just finishing up the first cable when i realized something.

Too short. The shrink wrap wouldn't fit on the cable with the connector assembly on the cable as well. So i started over only to...

Burn myself. As i was taking the cable off of the connector and cleaning up the connector, I made the wise decision to grab the connector before it was cool. Ow. Right on my right index finger too. That's going to make playing bass and especially pizzicato on the upright painful for a while. I sorted out the burn by shaking my hand around like an idiot. Or, you know, someone who just burnt their finger on scalding piece of metal. That dealt with, I went on to cut a new length of cable and proceeded to finish the cable. Then I realized...

It's quite long. 8 inches from the base of the sleeve (the part that goes into the pedal) to the other sleeve. That said, I suppose I need to let my friend try them and see.

I'm sort of a noob when it comes to soldering as this is my first soldering project and I must admit, it is quite enjoyable. Hopefully the other cables go better. I've finished 2 others before this one and never had this many problems. Maybe I'm just to tired to be holding a hot iron.

I'm not sure what the point of this short narrative was other than to share how bad I am at soldering. So far, I'm really loving the 18 footer that I made, so it's been well worth the learning problems. It seems like an incredibly useful skill to have.

Just curious... How many of you guys build your cables or do your own soldering work on amps/basses?

Bloodhammer · #2 07-26-2011, 07:19 PM

I work on guitars and basses for friends and have modified my own. (my guitar - my bass is already perfect!) I make patch cables all the time and can do pedal mods if I have a list of what caps and resistors to swap out/remove.

JeffBTZ · #3 07-26-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

I work on guitars and basses for friends and have modified my own. (my guitar - my bass is already perfect!) I make patch cables all the time and can do pedal mods if I have a list of what caps and resistors to swap out/remove.

I would love to be able to build my own pedal or do a mod to one, but I have a feeling that I'd be in over my head with my minimal knowledge of electronics. It's definitely something I'm interested in though. I've been considering a major in electric or computer engineering, but this recent project has only increased my interest in those fields.

BassNeo · #4 07-26-2011, 07:34 PM

I've made and modded cables for years. I've re-soldered the wiring in my foundation to fix the hack work that was killing the batteries for the active pickups.

I'm looking for a reason to pull a head apart and play doctor.

Any volunteers?

Martin89 · #5 07-26-2011, 07:47 PM

I'm definitely going to make my own cables once my current pair poop-out on me(or once I absolutely can't stand their nasty condition). I've soldered a little bit and am actually really interested in it. Fixed basic connections and what not, next cables, and eventually BYOP kits/Carvin Bass kits

JeffBTZ · #6 07-26-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin89

I'm definitely going to make my own cables once my current pair poop-out on me(or once I absolutely can't stand their nasty condition). I've soldered a little bit and am actually really interested in it. Fixed basic connections and what not, next cables, and eventually BYOP kits/Carvin Bass kits

That was my motivation as well. I had a few cables going bad and I realized that it would cost just as much to build them as just buy them ready made. I figured a little experience never hurt anyone.

Martin89 · #7 07-26-2011, 09:00 PM

^Yeah, I've always been interested in DIY; just waiting for these cables to die(it's been 8+ years, they're actually pretty awesome; good ends I could use again)

Randall · #8 07-28-2011, 09:30 AM

You will get the hang of it in time. Good iron and temp is important. As per cable length remember the old saying " I have cut this three times and it is still too short"

and remember to slip all fittings on the cable before you start

**colcifer** · #9 07-28-2011, 01:02 PM

Ah, soldering... Nothing makes my day like minor burns and exposure to neurotoxins.

Martin89 · #10 07-28-2011, 01:18 PM

^some of the best mojo available.

turbo chicken · #11 07-28-2011, 01:58 PM

haha... who hasn't done that...

thanks for the laugh ...

flux makes everything easier!!!

Otter · #12 07-29-2011, 09:32 AM

I am an engineer for a Radio network...I get paid to do this...

Martin89 · #13 07-29-2011, 09:44 AM

^When I was a tech at a college they gave me a toolkit and it had a cheap soldering iron in it. The guy said use that as a last resort... With computers if something is jacked you usually just swap the part(very modular).