My cord Always Tangles

[1dgbass]

I don't know why, but whenever I really get into my playing, (jumping and running around) my cord tangles and winds up.

It goes from a 20 footer to 10 foot. Maybe this is a common occurance for all players or maybe there is something I'm doing wrong.

[scottyd]

Originally Posted by 1dgbass

maybe there is something I'm doing wrong.

Posting this in luthiers corner perhaps?

[Pilgrim]

Try a wireless. Problem solved. Ebay has plenty.

[tplyons]

Chances are you do what a lot of us do and have a tendency to turn in one direction only. I find myself inadvertently turning to the left, causing my cords to tangle.

Being more conscious of your movements could help this, or a wireless could.

[KPAX]

As you're rocking out, keep a mental count your moves and do them in reverse the same number of times.

Originally Posted by 1dgbass

I don't know why, but whenever I really get into my playing, (jumping and running around) my cord tangles and winds up.

It goes from a 20 footer to 10 foot. Maybe this is a common occurance for all players or maybe there is something I'm doing wrong.

[Jazzdogg]

Believe it or not, the way you coil a cable makes a big difference in how long it lasts, and how easily it lays out flat without twisting. There are several how-to-videos on YouTube that show how it's done. Here's one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4zVGGWlvkU&feature=fvw

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Believe it or not, the way you coil a cable makes a big difference in how long it lasts, and how easily it lays out flat without twisting.

+1000000

the first thing i learned in a recording class i took a few years ago was how to properly coil a cable (i also learned that engineers will want to murder you if you dont do this). they will maintain their shape for the most part, and wont get tied in knots or anything.

i am always mind-boggled when i see people who have gigged much longer than myself who still dont know how to coil a cable, or when i help take things down and coil the cables and person x says "wow, how did you do that, that looks nice?" invaluable knowledge.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

+1000000

the first thing i learned in a recording class i took a few years ago was how to properly coil a cable (i also learned that engineers will want to murder you if you dont do this). they will maintain their shape for the most part, and wont get tied in knots or anything.

i am always mind-boggled when i see people who have gigged much longer than myself who still dont know how to coil a cable, or when i help take things down and coil the cables and person x says "wow, how did you do that, that looks nice?" invaluable knowledge.

Lots of folks tout the over-under "roadie wrap" as the one and only way to coil cables, but I don't use it. Using that method, if the end that you hold when you lay out the cable has fallen through to the other side of the coil, when you lay it out it's got a bunch of overhand knots in it that you have to untie.

I use the over-over wrap, where you throw a twist in the cable for every wrap. In the coil the cable is relaxed and in the same topography as if it were wound on a reel. When I uncoil it I just gently shake out the twists.

I have always used the over-over method, and I have cables that are nearly 30 years old that are still in great condition. YMMV.

FWIW, the over-under method works great for neatening up mic cables on stage when they are attached at both ends.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with the original question about cables twisting up on stage. It's because, as someone else has pointed out, most of us tend to turn in the same direction every time.

EDIT: Lots of folks, no matter what coiling method they use, secure the completed coil with an overhand knot in the cable. Don't do that; that bends the cable very sharply and will introduce a permanent kink and a potential failure point. Get some Velcro cable ties; they are very cheap at Home Depot.

[banditcosmo]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Believe it or not, the way you coil a cable makes a big difference in how long it lasts, and how easily it lays out flat without twisting. There are several how-to-videos on YouTube that show how it's done. Here's one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4zVGGWlvkU&feature=fvw

I've always coiled my cables just like this guy but still sometimes get tangles depending on the cable. I really do think some cables tangle more than other. Wish I could find a cable that does not tangle.

[Stumbo]

You might want to take a look at this cable: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-PRO-SK20-LIST

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

You might want to take a look at this cable: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-PRO-SK20-LIST

heres another great place to get excellent but cheap cables:

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Mi...W_Series.shtml

audiopile was recommended to me by another tb member, and they have amazing service and shipping times, as well as very good prices for the quality.

i dont know if that really relates to the original question, but if you can get a reasonably priced, very long cable, perhaps even turning in the same direction wont be as much of an issue if youve got the extra length. but, as stated in a previous post, maybe you could pay more attention to your movement. no matter how long the cable is, you can still twist yourself into a knot.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by ggunn

Lots of folks tout the over-under "roadie wrap" as the one and only way to coil cables, but I don't use it. Using that method, if the end that you hold when you lay out the cable has fallen through to the other side of the coil, when you lay it out it's got a bunch of overhand knots in it that you have to untie.

I use the over-over wrap, where you throw a twist in the cable for every wrap. In the coil the cable is relaxed and in the same topography as if it were wound on a reel. When I uncoil it I just gently shake out the twists.

I have always used the over-over method, and I have cables that are nearly 30 years old that are still in great condition. YMMV.

FWIW, the over-under method works great for neatening up mic cables on stage when they are attached at both ends.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with the original question about cables twisting up on stage. It's because, as someone else has pointed out, most of us tend to turn in the same direction every time.

EDIT: Lots of folks, no matter what coiling method they use, secure the completed coil with an overhand knot in the cable. Don't do that; that bends the cable very sharply and will introduce a permanent kink and a potential failure point. Get some Velcro cable ties; they are very cheap at Home Depot.

I'm with you on this one. Buying a good, quality cable is a good start. I still have a cable I bought about $20 years ago that I paid about $35 bucks for which was a lot of money to pay for a cable back then, well for me anyway. It still coils nicely and have never had a problem with it. On some cheap cables, you can feel the cable wanting to resist a turn.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by ggunn

Lots of folks tout the over-under "roadie wrap" as the one and only way to coil cables, but I don't use it. Using that method, if the end that you hold when you lay out the cable has fallen through to the other side of the coil, when you lay it out it's got a bunch of overhand knots in it that you have to untie.

[snip]

EDIT: Lots of folks, no matter what coiling method they use, secure the completed coil with an overhand knot in the cable. Don't do that; that bends the cable very sharply and will introduce a permanent kink and a potential failure point. Get some Velcro cable ties; they are very cheap at Home Depot.

I use the over/under wrap religiously, and although Ggunn is correct that you are guaranteed to have knots if you drop one end through the coil, the solution is simple - as he points out: Velcro cable ties. Coil the cable properly, use a stout velcro wrap to secure it, and you won't have the end fall through.

I also agree that a properly wrapped cable using any technique is less likely to give you trouble than one which is twisted as it's coiled. You can train cables to lie correctly by coiling them correctly...and that reduces your problems on stage.

[Jazzdogg]

I always like to handle a new cable before buying; if the outer jacket feels more like plastic than rubber, or it doesn't feel flexible and easy to coil, I don't buy it; if there isn't some kind of strain relief, I don't buy it. I'll also unscrew a plug cover so I can see the quality of the soldering, inner wires, and shielding; foil = no purchase.