Cables

[bucephylus]

This is one of my pet peeves.

Why can't the commercial cable makers just make a solid simple cable, for goodness sake?

Early on, they were all coiled.

Now, they all have this nylon braiding on the outside.

I don't know which is worse, the coils or the nylon braiding. Who comes up with this stuff? For cryin out loud, just make a plain old cable with solid connectors. The nylon braiding makes the cables so stiff that they can't unravel the twists that build up in them. Talk about making something that ain't broke broken. Newsflash: NOT an improvement.

May have to go back to making my own cables again. Sigh. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

 

[Gorn]

Now, they all have this nylon braiding on the outside.

No they don't.

Does that solve the problem?

 

[bucephylus]

No they don't.

Does that solve the problem?

OK. Which cables are you referring to?

 

[Gorn]

OK. Which cables are you referring to?

I briefly looked at the instrument cables being sold by sweet water, musicians friend and Sam ash and there are several options that aren't coiled or don't have nylon braiding.

 

[el murdoque]

Yeah,
over here in Germany you get a wide range of choices with coiled, not coiled, nylon or rubber, with cheap jacks and good ones.

I must admit that i prefer the nylon coating nowadays. I bought a few cables some years back and after nearly a decade of use, they still work.

 

[bucephylus]

I'll try to be more clear.

I've been using the nylon braided version for a couple of seasons now. Construction is fine. I like the metal connectors. The problem I have with them is that twists that develop while you are playing don't unravel very easily due to the stiffness of the nylon sheathing. Then, after stepping on those a few times, there is a mess to get organized at the end of the night. I know it's a small thing. I'm just burned out with it. Kind like that hang nail that finally bugs you enough to cut it off.

There aren't nearly as many cables available without the braided sheathing, but with the metal ends. Just seems like if you want the high quality connectors, then you get the braiding.

I used to just build my own using Belden cable and Switchcraft connectors. Maybe, I just need to go back to that route.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I used to just build my own using Belden cable and Switchcraft connectors. Maybe, I just need to go back to that route.

Hard to improve upon that formula.

 

[Gorn]

There aren't nearly as many cables available without the braided sheathing, but with the metal ends. Just seems like if you want the high quality connectors, then you get the braiding.

16 of the 20 results on the first page of cables on MF aren't coiled or braird.

 

[Dominic D]

I've used nylon braiding on all my home-assembled cables for a few years now. Haven't had any issues with them. If your cables are twisting, you're wrapping them incorrectly.

 

[bucephylus]

I've used nylon braiding on all my home-assembled cables for a few years now. Haven't had any issues with them. If your cables are twisting, you're wrapping them incorrectly.

I jump rope fold them. I hate twists.

 

[Dominic D]

I jump rope fold them. I hate twists.

Sorry, I've never heard of that. Is this what you mean?

 

[JRA]

i wouldn't mind a braided/fabric covered cable (i'm thinking) if i could get one with a switched instrument end.

IMO: the best ones are made with a real rubber coating/sheath --- they are real easy to coil properly --- easy all around.

a lot of b!tching going on today.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Is this what you mean?

If the OP is indeed doing that, no wonder there's a problem.

 

[JTE]

If that video accurately shows how you're wrapping your cables, that's the problem. Wrap them using over/under. I have cables I made in the '80s that aren't kinked, twisted, or tangled.

 

[edencab]

these work great for me ...built to last...rubber coating...straight or 90 deg ends etc etc
probably easier to get in Canada....Yorkville/Traynor quality

Invalid Link Removed

 

[ofajen]

Hard to improve upon that formula.

I bought a spool of Gotham mike cable (GAC-3, IIRC) some years back and really like it. Excellent to work with and makes a good cable. Flexible rather than stiff, so it is well behaved when in use, too.

I've made lots of cables with Belden cable, too, and almost all of them are still working fine. The few that aren't just need better quality Switchcraft plugs, rather than the cheap RS stuff I bought at first.

Otto

 

[Nev375]

The nylon braiding makes the cables so stiff that they can't unravel the twists that build up in them.

Strange. The nylon braided one's I've used are very limber and flexible as if it were made out of nylon rope.

Maybe you are using a budget brand?

 

[Drucifer]

This article does a great job comparing cable stiffness and other characteristics:
Audio Cables Compared and Recommended
I bought a couple Spectraflex "Fatso Flex" and have been happy with their flexibility.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I see this thread is slowly turning into an OP-Bashing thread. But I have to agree with him. I personally can't stand any other cable that isn't "flexible" rubber (so no nylon or hard rubber tubing).

 

[bucephylus]

Strange. The nylon braided one's I've used are very limber and flexible as if it were made out of nylon rope.

Maybe you are using a budget brand?

I didn't think I was using a budget cable. Here is what Ive been using. Everyone else seems to like them.
Amazon.com: GLS Audio 20 Foot Guitar Instrument Cable - Right Angle 1/4-Inch TS to Straight 1/4-Inch TS 20 FT Black Gray Tweed Cloth Jacket - 20 Feet Pro Cord 20' Phono 6.3mm - SINGLE: Musical Instruments