INSTRUMENT CABLES QUERY

[janoots]

What are the pro's and con's of an instrument cable with straight to angled ends as opposed to straight to straight ends?

 

[Unemploid]

where the out is on my gretsch, i could hardly play sitting down with a straight cable. a right angle would be goo but awkward when playing standing up.

 

[iamlowsound]

All depends on where the jack is on your instrument. Should always be the straight end into your amp.

lowsound

 

[ggunn]

Anecdotally speaking, I have had a lot more trouble with right angle connectors.

 

[janoots]

Cause I've noticed in online music stores the cables that are always sold out are the straight to angled ends and the cables that have straight to straight ends are always in stock.

 

[xgator4u]

All depends on where the jack is on your instrument. Should always be the straight end into your amp.

lowsound

THIS.

I play a T-bird, and the output jack is on the face of the instrument.
Straight on the instrument end sticks out TOO far.

 

[bassbully]

IMO angled plugs are safer to use and do not get in the way. Simply plug in and go around the strap. Nothing in the way then. I buy one end angled one end straight (for amp).

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Angled connecter if the jack is on the face of the instrument. A straight connector is in the way and if you step on your cord, it becomes a great lever for removing a large piece of pickguard.

In most cases, you want a straight connector for the amp, but not always. I recently purchased a Rumble 500 and the input jack sticks straight up. To me, it looks weird and I fear something hitting it and breaking the jack. I haven't seen any with 90 degree angles on both ends. They probably are available. I just haven't looked that hard yet.

 

[fhm555]

I had a guy tear up the jack on my J bass when he caught the straight plug walking by and jerked the bass out of it's stand as he exited the stage. It was an open jam so it was not a big deal, but I no longer use a straight plug with a J bass. Never used an angled plug before and never really gave it much thought, just picked up an instrument cable and always grabbed one with two straight ends, but after having to replace the jack I decided to try an angled plug and so far so good.

I use a straight plug in the amp because it's easier to pull out and my amp is set back far enough on the cab that it would be a freak accident if it got snagged.

 

[janoots]

Cool, thanks for the replies! So it's a matter of preference and the location of your input jack. Gonna get me one of those straight to angled cables then!

 

[Pilgrim]

What are the pro's and con's of an instrument cable with straight to angled ends as opposed to straight to straight ends?

1) Straight ends stick out farther and can bump against things. Angled ends on plugs don't.

2) In a few cases where the jack is recessed or there are obstacles next to the 1/4" jack, an angled end won't allow the plug to seat fully.

To quote Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson, "That is all you need to know."