Help me with George L's!!

TrevorOfDoom · #1 07-02-2009, 04:28 PM

is there some trick to getting the George L's to work?
i've tried every connector that came with the kit, and nothing works.
i've inserted (very gently) the cable into the connector, making sure not to bend the cable to the back of the slot. then i screwed on the back of the connector. following the instructions in the booklet that came with the kit, and the instructions on the website, this should work.
but it doesn't.
not be rude, but i really just want to take this kit and shove it up somebody's pooper right now.
help me, please?

bk2mono · #2 07-02-2009, 04:50 PM

I found that if you over tighten the back of the connector you can cut all the way to the core wire thus causing a short. Personally I don't like George L's and would never use them again after one failed in the middle of a show.

bongomania · #3 07-02-2009, 05:39 PM

I love George L's, and as long as you use them in a context where they won't get twisted around and bumped (loosening or tightening the screw) then they won't fail.

Trevor, sounds like the problem is you're being too gentle. When inserting the cable into the plug, you have to jam it in pretty firmly in order for the spike inside the plug to penetrate between the insulation and the center wire. Then as bk2 said, tighten the screw just to the point where it breaks through the outer insulation only, and no further.

CliftonBonney · #4 07-02-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I love George L's, and as long as you use them in a context where they won't get twisted around and bumped (loosening or tightening the screw) then they won't fail.

Trevor, sounds like the problem is you're being too gentle. When inserting the cable into the plug, you have to jam it in pretty firmly in order for the spike inside the plug to penetrate between the insulation and the center wire. Then as bk2 said, tighten the screw just to the point where it breaks through the outer insulation only, and no further.

Agreed. I just bought some George Ls and love them so far. They were very easy to put together.

Bassist4Life · #5 07-02-2009, 09:40 PM

I found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=209yFgNBiYg

anyonefortennis · #6 07-02-2009, 10:19 PM

Yeah, jam them up the plug pretty good, the is a spike inside that has to make contact. All this assuming you are using the 90 deg angle plugs.

FreaqyFrequency · #7 07-02-2009, 10:21 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnD5qPkUh68&fmt=18

Unrepresented · #8 07-03-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

Yeah, jam them up the plug pretty good, the is a spike inside that has to make contact. All this assuming you are using the 90 deg angle plugs.

Yeah, I think I struggled with them the first time I put them together.

Keep in mind that the cable has to completely be jammed into the connector, and that the top has to be screwed down to cut through. Once you get one to work, the rest will be easy.

scotch · #9 07-03-2009, 05:39 PM

fyi, I have close to 50 individual george l's plugs. I have had 3 that I could not get to work. In each case, I discovered that the center contact spike was bent. If that's the case, return it for a new one.

TrevorOfDoom · #10 08-11-2009, 09:33 PM

after a month, i have a report:
i had 1 6" cable that worked. a single cable. i've tried various lengths, and every connector in my kit. only one ever worked.
it crapped out on me tonight. no, i didn't twist it, or mangle it, or manhandle it. i put it between two pedals and it worked for a while, then stopped.
so here's what i know: i paid $85 for not a single patch cable. i have lovely red cable and brass connectors, but no working cables. and like i said, it's not for lack of trying.
i've watched every video on YouTube, i had a friend of mine who uses George L's to watch me put one together, all he could say was "Dunno".
i'm a touch pissed, i must say.
thoughts? comments? anyone wanna donate unused patch cables?

bongomania · #11 08-12-2009, 12:11 AM

I don't know what to think. Certainly I've had two or three annoyances with them, but that's out of literally hundreds of connections. Could you post a closeup pic of the cable ends?

**TheMutt** · #12 08-12-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnD5qPkUh68&fmt=18

What is that being applied to the screw piece?

Also, I've got somewhere 2-3 sets of George L's on my board. Never had a problem.

FreaqyFrequency · #13 08-12-2009, 12:42 AM

Blue Loctite. Non-permanent.

**TheMutt** · #14 08-12-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

Blue Loctite. Non-permanent.

Sweet! I didn't know there was something like that. Might have to get a tube and do this to all my cables and output jacks on my basses.

dannster · #15 08-12-2009, 01:20 AM

So if not George L's what are people out there digging?
I'd rather make my own for custom length wiring.

I'm close to wiring my own pedal board.

Anesthesia · #16 08-12-2009, 01:34 AM

as an electrician i would never use these sort of connectors. i have seen the problems these push in type connectors can cause 9admittedly in an industrial environment). while they may be easy to use and require almost no time to make, i will stick to buying good quality solder style connectors. that way you know for sure that you have a good connection (if done right) and dont have that grey area of, it works cause i have sound, but how well is it really connected.

bongomania · #17 08-12-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannster

So if not George L's what are people out there digging?

Canare and Belden bulk cable, with G&H nickel connectors.

scotch · #18 08-12-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Canare and Belden bulk cable, with G&H nickel connectors.

I'm using Canare & G&H plugs for my long lines as well. Great stuff!

However, if the op is having this much trouble with the solderless, maybe dyi isn't the best route? (no offense to op intended

)

kevteop · #19 08-12-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anesthesia

i will stick to buying good quality solder style connectors. that way you know for sure that you have a good connection (if done right) and dont have that grey area of, it works cause i have sound, but how well is it really connected.

You've never had a soldered cable fail on you?

So far I've not had a George L cable fail, but I've only been using them for about a year. They're only on my pedal board though so they don't see a lot of strain, I wouldn't use them from/to my guitar and amp.

scotch · #20 08-12-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

You've never had a soldered cable fail on you?

So far I've not had a George L cable fail, but I've only been using them for about a year. They're only on my pedal board though so they don't see a lot of strain, I wouldn't use them from/to my guitar and amp.

I totally agree. They're a little diminutive for the long, more abused runs to the amp & from the instrument. I think a 'traditional' thick, soldered cable is best for those uses.

I've been using George L's on my pedalboards for over ten years now. I do some heavy, full-time touring in the states and overseas. My gear has been subjected to some rough treatment! I've never had a George L fail. I have come across 3 defective plugs (as mentioned above) out of about 50 plugs purchased. Other than the rare faulty plug- as long as they are assembled with the same care you'd give a soldered cable & you check every few months to make sure the threaded ends are still tight, I feel confident using them. And that's coming from someone who relies on his gear to pay the mortgage.

The past 5-6 years I have been using a pair of pliers to really 'set' the threaded cap in place (without any loctite). Since I started doing that, I really dont need to worry about their coming loose. Years later, they're still all solid!