Gold-plated plugs on Pedalboard Cables?

[livingstone]

I'd like to see some opinions on whether it is worth spending the extra bucks to use gold-plated plugs on pedalboard cables. I'm thinking that, since the plugs don't see the corrosion-removing benefit of being plugged in/pulled out when I setup and break down, but instead are constantly in place in the jack, I may have more reliable connections by using the gold. What about the fact that the jacks are likely just nickel; does this nullify any benefits the gold plugs may have?

[Jazz Ad]

They're worthless for hifi, I don't see them being any useful in a musician rack.

[niftydog]

Originally Posted by livingstone

What about the fact that the jacks are likely just nickel; does this nullify any benefits the gold plugs may have?

Pretty much. Thing is you can easily clean corrosion of the jack plugs, but the jack sockets are a bit harder to clean.

Besides, I don't think I've ever seen corrosion on a jack plug tip.

Furthermore, some jack sockets make connection with the side of the jack plug, making those ones with gold only on the very tip of the plug completely and utterly redundant.

[musicelectronix]

I am waiting for the platinum tip and diamond sleeve plugs for optimum signal transfer that comes from my vintage 58 gibson jazz bass.

[niftydog]

Pfft... Two words... optic fibres.

[musicelectronix]

Originally Posted by niftydog

Pfft... Two words... optic fibres.

not if you are going for the true vintage tone that comes from true jacks.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by musicelectronix

not if you are going for the true vintage tone that comes from true jacks.

And repeatedly converting electric signal to light and back across your pedal board is sure to introduce more distortions than simply using copper cable with nickel connectors.

I don't think there's a need for it. Gold's durability is not that high, i'd stick with nickel.

[JanusZarate]

Gold-plated plugs = snake oil in this application.

I'd be more concerned about durability above all else. If you're worried about reliability, then you're either tugging on your cables a lot or using cheaply made cables.

Once you get past the "cheap" patch cable level (i.e., those flimsy molded Hosa cables and flat-head jacks with loose screws), you'll find that just about anything will work fine, and IMO, the differences sound-wise are negligible. The more expensive ones tend to have other advantages, like solderless connections (great for easily making custom-length cables) and small plugs (for tight spaces on your board).

[B.C.]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Gold-plated plugs = snake oil in this application.

I'd be more concerned about durability above all else. If you're worried about reliability, then you're either tugging on your cables a lot or using cheaply made cables.

Once you get past the "cheap" patch cable level (i.e., those flimsy molded Hosa cables and flat-head jacks with loose screws), you'll find that just about anything will work fine, and IMO, the differences sound-wise are negligible. The more expensive ones tend to have other advantages, like solderless connections (great for easily making custom-length cables) and small plugs (for tight spaces on your board).

MASSIVE +1

[musicelectronix]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Gold-plated plugs = snake oil in this application.

I'd be more concerned about durability above all else. If you're worried about reliability, then you're either tugging on your cables a lot or using cheaply made cables.

Once you get past the "cheap" patch cable level (i.e., those flimsy molded Hosa cables and flat-head jacks with loose screws), you'll find that just about anything will work fine, and IMO, the differences sound-wise are negligible. The more expensive ones tend to have other advantages, like solderless connections (great for easily making custom-length cables) and small plugs (for tight spaces on your board).

this is blasphemy! I even engraved the letter "O" on my gold tip cables, how do you that with nickel? huh? how?

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by musicelectronix

this is blasphemy! I even engraved the letter "O" on my gold tip cables, how do you that with nickel? huh? how?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5xHXevVbhg