Buying cables on a budget

[mikegug]

What's your favorite method of buying XLR's and 1/4'' line or speaker cables.

Anyone ever buy from Banana Plugs, Mic Cables, Genuine GLS Audio | Orange County Speaker? Looks interesting.

 

[modulusman]

Buy once cry once. I own about 60 different mic cables. Most of them are actually made by Peavey and never have one fail at a gig. Many of them are over 10 years old.

 

[jive1]

I buy bulk cables and connectors and make my own. Much cheaper, and I can fix them myself if there is a failure.

 

[Dave W]

My favorite method? Exchange currency for product

I usually make my own cables. Canare GS6 and Neutrik ends for instrument cable, I'm using Mogami (I want to say it's 2541) for mic or balanced cable, and I don't remember what I used for speaker cable.

 

[BassGuyFL]

What's your favorite method of buying XLR's and 1/4'' line or speaker cables.

Anyone ever buy from Banana Plugs, Mic Cables, Genuine GLS Audio | Orange County Speaker? Looks interesting.

I recently bought some cables from them on EBay. 10 25' mic cables for $94. Nice quality cable with nice ends I'm happy with the decision. Can't beat the price.

 

[mikegug]

I buy bulk cables and connectors and make my own. Much cheaper, and I can fix them myself if there is a failure.

I've thought about doing this a lot. I gotta watch a youtube on this. Would you happen to have a favorite youtube bookmarked you can share?

 

[TinIndian]

I buy bulk cables and connectors and make my own. Much cheaper, and I can fix them myself if there is a failure.

+1

 

[JohnMCA72]

I buy bulk cables and connectors and make my own. Much cheaper, and I can fix them myself if there is a failure.

Yep. 1000' of Belden 8412 can be used for instrument, mic, patch cables, balanced or unbalanced, custom adapters, custom lengths, whatever you need. A "tackle box" with a variety of connectors, soldering tools & skills, you you're ready for anything.

 

[Jazzdogg]

If you choose to make your own cables, remember that not all connectors are equal, e.g., I have a strong preference for Neutrik XLR connectors (no pesky screws to mess with, or lose).

When attaching Speakon connectors, soldering is neither necessary nor desirable.

I bought a cable tester, and it's paid for itself by simplifying the testing process, and reducing stress; even a roadie can use one!

This is a great resource:
Audiopile Pro Audio / EWI Cables and Cases

 

[Morning Beer]

check out Guitar fetish. They have some solder-less kits with bulk wire, gold connectors. Haven't got any yet but seem like they would be good. Also check audiopile, I've got some great cables there

 

[jive1]

I've thought about doing this a lot. I gotta watch a youtube on this. Would you happen to have a favorite youtube bookmarked you can share?

Don't know of any videos, but it's really not that hard. Some connectors don't even need to be soldered. It's really just connecting the positive of one connector to the positive of the other, and the ground of one connector to the ground of the other for instrument and speaker cables, and connecting a third pole for an XLR connector.

I'm sure there's tons of info on how to do this on the interwebz.

 

[mikegug]

I'm sure there's tons of info on how to do this on the interwebz.

Yeah, that's how I came to ask the question if you had a favorite youtube bookmarked.

I've spent hours searching through garbage youtubes to find a good one on whatever subject. Eh... thanks anyway.

I'm gonna research to see if Neutrik has solderless XLR's.

 

[famousbirds]

At this point, I only buy cables with lifetime warranties. For me, that means all Planet Waves, but there are other brands out there with the same guarantee (Monster, some Livewire).

With 2x20ft, 1x10ft, and a variety of pedalboard patches from 6" to 3ft, I'm set. If any of them break, it's replaced for free, no questions asked. Long-term, this is much cheaper, since I've already paid for all my cables and don't need to shell out for any more if one of them breaks (and they all do, eventually).

 

[troy mcclure]

+1 on famousbirds.... I buy monster cables and planet waves ( the cheapest variety) when they break , I walk into Sam Ash or GC and get a new one.

I have been burnt by cheap mic cables on ebay ..they don't last 3 months if you gig every weekend.

 

[Stumbo]

I've thought about doing this a lot. I gotta watch a youtube on this. Would you happen to have a favorite youtube bookmarked you can share?

TB threads:
Making speaker cables
DIY cable making thread

Excellent photo based instructions covering all aspects of soldering, tools, methods and parts:
Making speaker cables

 

[Dave W]

Yeah, that's how I came to ask the question if you had a favorite youtube bookmarked.

I've spent hours searching through garbage youtubes to find a good one on whatever subject. Eh... thanks anyway.

I'm gonna research to see if Neutrik has solderless XLR's.

This is an excellent video with a lot of information. I don't know how to embed it here, so if anyone does...please do!

How To Build A Better Instrument Cable - YouTube

 

[JoeDaddio]

I bought some cables from a guy on the G&L forums *years* ago (I thought it was the G&L forums, but I could be wrong... for some reason i remember it being all G&L's, but now I can't seem to find it). I told him what I wanted and the length, and he made it happen. I've had these awesome orange cables for ages and never had an issue. I wish I remembered the guy because I'd like to buy some more from him eventually.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


joe

 

[MNAirHead]

I buy the 2nd tier neutric connectors

Belden cable

Yes used cable tester is golden

 

[Jazzdogg]

This cable tester has worked well for me, and it's affordable:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[mikegug]

Wow guys! Thanks for all these ideas! Can't wait to get home to throw some serious thought behind this.

I was gifted a few 50 foot XLR's and I'm thinking I might cut them in threes to mic up the drums... Hmmmm... Neutrik purchases in the future?