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How much difference does a cable make?

You actually need a cable well, maybe not if you use a transmitter. But without a transmitter, you'll sound a lot better with a cable.

FWIW: (and I'm shilling for GFS here) their cables are really nice. I've got a few of their cloth-bound ones and they are years old, quiet, solid and the sound actually makes it to the other end.

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LLINK::: http://store.guitarfetish.com/30-foot-Cotton-Wrapped-Plaid-Cable-Gold-Tipped-Plugs_p_25.html
 
I once did a non-scientific test using cables from various price points. A very slight increase in clarity in the top end ones, but so little it was not worth bothering about. IMO, sturdiness and reliability are more important factors.

I was the workshop manager for a hi-fi company "Audio Aids" for many years and tested many cables on out Feragraph test rig, it had an double channel Oscillator, with one line going to input of double beam Oscilloscope and the other through the cable to the other line of the scope and it compaired any signal loss. there was never any change in signal over the whole freq/speck.
that was in 3 meter to 20 meter cables
 
It makes a difference. I have written my bachelor thesis about cables and the difference in sound. It makes a lot of difference which cable you use, but a more expensive cable doesn't necessarily mean a better cable. The most expensive cable I tested was the best (Evidence The Lyric HG), but in second place came the cable you get in e.g. Squier and Ibanez starter packs.

There's quite a lot of difference in sound between cables, but be sure NOT to believe everything the cable companies tell you. For example, it is not possible to put more low end in a cable. A cable is a passive unit, you cannot add frequencies to a signal in a passive unit. You can only cut high frequencies, so that it seems the cable has a better low end.
Another thing is golden plugs. Many companies will tell you that a jack plug with a gold coating sounds better, because gold is a noble metal and conducts electricity better. That is only partly true. The coating has to stick to the nickel somehow, so companies use an extra layer of material to make sure the gold sticks on the plug. Result: signal loss. It's only a tiny tiny bit, but it's there.
Same thing goes for playing direction. The Evidence cable I tested has a playing direction (or so Evidence says). But what did my test show? It sounds better in the "wrong" direction. Very odd.

Most sound differences between cables can probably not be heard in a band situation. The biggest differences are in the high end (above 5 KHz) and that's where many other instruments are present.
The only moment where you might have an advantage with an excellent cable is in the studio. If you would need that high end because it is essential for the band sound, you'd wanna use a cable that lets through those frequencies.

The only advice I can give is: listen. If you don't hear differences: no problem. Get a cable that will work for some time and won't break easily. If you hear it: also no problem. Get a cable that will work for some time, won't break easily and sound good to you :)
 
The things I look for in a cable:

Right-angle bend for going into my pedal board (not a necessity, but I prefer the angle)
Solid connector tip. The ones that are fed through a plate at the tip don't tend to be as durable. I've broke many of this type tripping over the cable.
Decent gauge to the wire (not huge, but not skimpy). This helps more with durability than signal.
spring at the base where the connector meets the cable (again, durability).
Cloth wrap (protective and cool looking)
Can I open the cable to work on it if something goes wrong?

I don't think I've ever spent more than $40 on a cable, and that was years ago when I got a coiled cable to stop me from tripping. I stopped using it when it coiled on itself and was a $^&* to separate.
 
I participated in an impromtu non-scientific "blind" instrument cable test while waiting for the (late) keys player to show up.

The guitarist in my band was the only other participant in the test.

We tested 3 cables; a mediocre Guitar Centre brand cable, a cheapo DIY cable that I had cobbled together years ago, and a fancy-schmancy boutique "miracle" cable that cost $115 (around £100).

My guitarist picked MY cheapo DIY cable as the best sounding of the three!!!

I picked the Guitar Center branded cable as the best.

Interestingly, neither one of us picked the boutique cable.

True story.

Theres a moral in there somewhere...
 
Get what you can afford. Not too cheap and not Tara Labs $2100 per foot.:)
If you have ears to hear the difference you will hear that there is between cables.
If your rig obscures the difference then don't waste the money.
There are snake oil salesman in this business so beware.
Also beware those who say you can't hear it live or the audience doesn't care. Following them lowers the bar and insults the listeners.
 
Good Afternoon TBers

As a Noob, I was wondering if it is possible to tell the difference between a cheap instrument cable, and a more expensive version? I can get them for £10 or £100, but do they really make any noticeable difference?

NM

Cables do sound different.
So to me it is not just about "works /doesn't work".
The differences from one cable to the next are often not huge though.
 
Any two different instrument cables will sound virtually identical as long as they are both in perfect condition, both functioning correctly, both the same length and both use similar materials of construction and assembly methods.

So all that said, I typically look for a name brand like monster or planet waves. Being a name brand vs some fly by night company hopefully eliminates shoddy assembly methods and cheap materials of construction. I also look for a lifetime free replacement warranty. Over time with typical gig or even studio use you will chip away at the "perfect" fresh out of the box condition on that cable and it will become less reliable. A less than perfect condition cable CAN have static or hum interference from degraded shielding or CAN have crackle and pop issues from poor fit into the jack or loose internal connections, etc. Being able to take it back to the store and get a free replacement is a plus. I've done that with many Monster cables (including ones that I've accidentally cut in half by rolling heavy gear over them). A no questions asked policy is a huge plus with something as prone to wear and failure as a cable.
So more $$$ does not = better or worse. But a decent cable with a free replacement policy that is durable enough to last a while should be the goal.
 
Most cables actually have audible differences in the human hearing range.

If you honestly not just believe this but think you can prove it objectively, there's a guy named James Randi who will give you a million dollars.

One million dollars. Seriously. Google him. His offer has been open for over a decade I think.

On the other hand, if you just believe that "most cables" have audible differences based on your empirical, subjective listening, forget about Googling "James Randi" and start by Googling "Expectation Bias" and "Double-Blind ABX Testing".