Most Reliable Patch Cables

shaolinwhat · #1 01-24-2009, 07:33 PM

From your experience, what are the most trustworthy patch cables for your pedal board? im not talking tone or any of that stuff, i personally have never been able to hear my tone being effected by cables (and i don't want this thread to be about that in any way). i have always used whatever cheap cables are around, but have been having problems with 1 or 2 shorting out now and then. so what should i get?? thanks!

Valerus · #2 01-24-2009, 07:34 PM

a lot of people are going to say George L

andymcclure · #3 01-24-2009, 07:37 PM

Well, this might be the opposite of what you're asking, but for what it's worth, I've found Monster to be way overpriced and not all that reliable.

I go with one of the basics, like, say, Horizon, and buy a couple spares. But that's just me.

dgelting · #4 01-24-2009, 07:47 PM

I will not say George L.

I used both George L and the Planet Waves "solderless" cables and have had both short out on me. I don't trust solderless cables anymore and now make my own custom length patch cables. Even in a board, pedals get stepped on and they wiggle around a bit. I am kind of rough with my stepping, so maybe my cables have to move around more than a normal persons. Regardless, I don't trust anything less than a good solder joint.

The most reliable cables you can get will be ones you solder yourself.

shaolinwhat · #5 01-24-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgelting

I will not say George L.

I used both George L and the Planet Waves "solderless" cables and have had both short out on me. I don't trust solderless cables anymore and now make my own custom length patch cables. Even in a board, pedals get stepped on and they wiggle around a bit. I am kind of rough with my stepping, so maybe my cables have to move around more than a normal persons. Regardless, I don't trust anything less than a good solder joint.

The most reliable cables you can get will be ones you solder yourself.

i think my biggest problem is that to this day i have never bothered to figure out a way to secure my pedals to the board, ha. my velcro efforts havent done much, so the pedals move around in transit and i reposition them when i open it up to play. so i would imagine the cables are getting WAY more abuse this way than from me actually stepping on the pedals.

dgelting · #6 01-24-2009, 07:52 PM

I just use Velcro brand general purpose velcro . The sticky back on it is really good and the velcro grip is strong without being too strong.

Jared Lash · #7 01-24-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerus

a lot of people are going to say George L

Actually I use George L's and I wouldn't label them as the "most reliable". Their value comes from (1) the ability to create whatever lengths you want quickly and easily (2) being high quality cables and (3) having small jacks which helps for saving pedalboard space.

That said, they are not ideal if you are going to move stuff around on your board a lot or be constantly plugging and unplugging them. I've run into problems with them that way as pulling on them a lot will result in the cable coming loose and therefore breaking your signal chain.

I think cables like these would be the best bet simply in terms of reliability.

dgelting · #8 01-24-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

In fact, if I knew for sure my board layout wasn't going to change, I think cables like these would be my best bet for reliability.

For sure - that's pretty much what I'm making for myself. I like the higher gauge wire for the pedalboard. Even for layouts that change, I still like the reliability of a soldered connection. If you can't solder, having a company make you a variety of lengths and connectors would work well.

Chronicle · #9 01-24-2009, 08:02 PM

yeah I use those. They're cheap and the nylon cable feels durable.

newbold · #10 01-24-2009, 08:06 PM

I like the slim profile of the George L cables and the fact that you can make them as long as you need.

Is there a similar product on the market that might be cheaper and more effective?

shaolinwhat · #11 01-24-2009, 08:11 PM

yea i cant really afford 14 bucks per cable, im thinking i might just re-velcro my pedals and buy a cheap pack of 5 or 6 cables to have as back ups from now on.

also, i have found it particularly difficult to secure my wah pedal. i use a dunlop 105q on this pedal board http://www.rondomusic.com/pdc410c.html any thoughts?

Trevorus · #12 01-24-2009, 08:15 PM

Get good velcro, and I have been using radioshack patch cables. They are 12" each, and tend to be pretty reliable. I have killed tons of the Hosa ones. I need to get some good right angle plugs and make some of my own.

Jared Lash · #13 01-24-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

yeah I use those. They're cheap and the nylon cable feels durable.

You use custom procablesnsound.com cables? And I think they're good value for the price, but you consider $16.00 per patch cable cheap?

Joe Gress · #14 01-24-2009, 08:22 PM

Not the crappy Live Wire ones they sell in the little bucket right by the cash register at Guitar Center. POS!

Jared Lash · #15 01-24-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

Not the crappy Live Wire ones they sell in the little bucket right by the cash register at Guitar Center. POS!

If I worked at Guitar Center I think I'd go to the hardware store and buy a new toilet and dump those cables in it instead of the bucket. Just as a public service announcement.

Joe Gress · #16 01-24-2009, 08:32 PM

Except it would clog and ruin a perfectly good toilet. Why waste a perfectly good toilet on those things?

Chronicle · #17 01-24-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

You use custom procablesnsound.com cables? And I think they're good value for the price, but you consider $16.00 per patch cable cheap?

Whoops, I meant the little livewire cables....those aren't the ones I use...

I use these. The Dimarzio cables are also excellent. Same nylon and very small heads.

Chronicle · #18 01-24-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

If I worked at Guitar Center I think I'd go to the hardware store and buy a new toilet and dump those cables in it instead of the bucket. Just as a public service announcement.

Actually these are the ones I'm using. They work for me quite nicely. Sure the plug body becomes loose sometimes but they are durable.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/DiMarzio...01-i1128854.gc

^Dimarzio ones

afroman · #19 01-25-2009, 11:52 AM

After years spending on cables i finally found the best.
Buy bulk cables, buy connectrs, make them.
Or as I did, I had a friend who knows what he's doing make them for me and paid him.

I spend $67 for 20' of Canare cable and 20 Switchcraft flat connectors.
Try that with George L or Livewire or others.

http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=542

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/309015.html

thejohnkim · #20 01-25-2009, 05:24 PM

while i use planet waves cable station gear

i actually have had no problems with the Hosa 6-pack Professional Patch Cable pack which is the Hosa cable with teh metal connectors and white strain relief, NOT the rainbow colored molded plastic stuff.