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Does cable gauge matter?

No in terms of how it sounds, but yes on durability. I guess it depends on how you plan to use it. I just put new connectors on two cables and on one, the center conductor when twisted was maybe 1/16th of an inch diameter and the other was about 1/8th inch. When testing each, I couldn't tell any difference. The inner insulator thickness and outer sheath just makes for a more durable cable.
 
The newer EBS Flat Patch Cables are the thinnest I've seen and come in lengths up to 3'. Really really perfect for a crowded pedalboard as they're thin profile at the ends, and just a flat 1/8" wire connecting them. They make no perceptible sound difference to my ears vs the traditional stiff 6" connectors from the likes of Fedner and Pig Hog
 
I bought 2 of these 20 years ago and they are awesome.
Just recently bought another with straight / right angle connectors.
They coil up really well, don't get as tangled on stage and are very lightweight.
They also seem to take up less space in my gig bag.
No issues with lack of high end or shielding issues (as you would expect from a quality cable).
I'm really gentle on cables so no issues with reliability; highly recommended!
 
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Mogami is great cable, even revered as the Cadillac of cables by some; its well made, very flexible and will last for years and years under normal use. However, it's not as durable against abuse as some other cable offerings; if you stack heavy gear on it, run over it with heavy road cases on casters, use it for an emergency tow rope, etc., Mogami isn't for you.
 
I ordered a Mogami Silver instrument cable and was surprised at how thin the gauge is; much thinner than the 1/4" cables I am used to. Should I care? I know Mogami has a great reputation, so I'm not terribly concerned, but thought I would check.
I have been using the Mogami Silver cables for years. They sound great and have held up well. No complaints here.
 
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Here's the equation for Capacitance, the more distance between the center-conductor & the outer-shield, the better:

capacitanceeq.jpg
 
Mogami is great cable, even revered as the Cadillac of cables by some; its well made, very flexible and will last for years and years under normal use. However, it's not as durable against abuse as some other cable offerings; if you stack heavy gear on it, run over it with heavy road cases on casters, use it for an emergency tow rope, etc., Mogami isn't for you.

Yep. In my old day job we used Belden 8412 (standard mic cable pretty much) by the mile, literally. Often underwater, in highly turbulent high flow areas, think hydropower turbine inlets and the like.The abuse that stuff can tolerate is pretty mind blowing. But as always, horses for courses.
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I think the answer is - once again - "it depends". Does it matter, if it's just a short little jumper cable? No, not so much. Is it a 75 foot long patch cable, on stage, from your passive bass to your stack? Yeah, it matters a lot. Situations like that, are why pickups got wound so hot; and why active guitars/basses were invented. For me, now, as a confirmed Bedroom Virtuoso? No, it doesn't matter much at all. A good quality 12 footer, between me and my amp, and I'm good to go...:whistle: