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How long an instrument cable do I need for live show?

T

ThinCrappyTone

Guest
Oct 1, 2011
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6,363
#1
Haven't played live in years, but am about to do a string of gigs. A few of them are going to be at some bigger clubs, with medium-large stages. It occurs to me that I'm not sure how long of cables I should get.

Two are needed:

1) From bass to pedalboard
2) From pedalboard to amp

Last thing I want is to be too short. But at the same time, I don't want to have a huge tangle strewn around the stage.

Feels like a dumb question, but how long of cables do you guys use? What would you recommend as optimal length(s)?

Also, while we're at it... any advice on preferred cable type? Brand? Braided? Smooth?

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.
 
#14
Whatever size you get, bring a roll of gaffer tape to keep things safe, or a rug to run the cables under.
You seemed dismissive of it, but running a wireless system does make life a lot easier, especially if you're planning on moving around.
Look at something like the Line 6 G30 ... the reciever fits on your pedalboard.
Good luck on the gigs!
 
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#15
Oddly said:
Whatever size you get, bring a roll of gaffer tape to keep things safe, or a rug to run the cables under.
You seemed dismissive of it, but running a wireless system does make life a lot easier, especially if you're planning on moving around.
Look at something like the Line 6 G30 ... the reciever fits on your pedalboard.
Good luck on the gigs!
Click to expand...

Thank you. That's great advice on the tape and/or rugs. Ordering some gaffer right now.

Re: Wireless: Didn't mean to sound dismissive of the wireless idea. It's just not something I want to incorporate right now. I used them years ago, and didn't like how they changed the tone. Also had a few wireless "incidents" onstage (think spinal tap) that make me a little leery of them. I'm sure technology has improved, of course, but it makes me nervous all the same. Trying to limit potential points of failure. And I hate batteries :)

Are most of you steady giggers using wireless these days though? Maybe I'm missing out?
 
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#16
I use a wireless live, even if I'm not going to move around or it's a small stage, I hate cable getting underfoot. But if you are using a cable, the main thing is to remember VERTICAL length as well as HORIZONTAL. You need three feet or so that drops from your output jack to the floor, and then another three feet up from the floor to the input jack on the amp - more if it's a big stack. So if the pedalboard is 10' away from the amp, you really should have a 15' cable for that, and if you have room to move 20' from the board, you need a 25' cable. Don't just think it's a 20' stage so you'll use a 20' cable.
 
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#18
hrodbert696 said:
I use a wireless live, even if I'm not going to move around or it's a small stage, I hate cable getting underfoot. But if you are using a cable, the main thing is to remember VERTICAL length as well as HORIZONTAL. You need three feet or so that drops from your output jack to the floor, and then another three feet up from the floor to the input jack on the amp - more if it's a big stack. So if the pedalboard is 10' away from the amp, you really should have a 15' cable for that, and if you have room to move 20' from the board, you need a 25' cable. Don't just think it's a 20' stage so you'll use a 20' cable.
Click to expand...
Ah, very good. Excellent consideration!
 
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#20
I'm certainly not a steady gigger these days, tho I'm aiming at playing live as much as I can, nor do I move around much.
I have a wireless system because I'm a bit OCD about safety issues.
Over the years, I've played with and done sound for plenty of vocalists and showy musicians who tend to get lost in their dramatics and forget about the little things like cables or monitors as they jump all over a stage.
I've seen backline and speaker stacks pulled down by a simple trip...
Like you, back in the day, wireless wasn't something I'd trust, but things seem a lot better now. Damn things still eat batteries, tho.
 
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