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Patch Cables or Solid Couplers for Pedalboards?

bass-shy

bass-shy

Jan 11, 2005
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#1
I've been debating whether or not to switch out my Hosa patch cords on my pedalboard for solid couplers. It seems to me that the solid ones would have less capacitance and less signal loss, due to their cable-less design. I recently switched my instrument cables for Monster Jazz's and now I feel like the patch cords I'm using are a weak link in my signal chain. Does anyone have any experience with the solid type couplers or have any suggestions for some larger guage patch cords? I have been eyeballing the George L's but I was hoping I could find a cheaper solution. Thanks in advance.
 
#2
My own experience says go with cables.

Using solid Jack/Jack connections results in the pedals either side of the one you stomp on rocking about, as there is no flexible lead inbetween
 
#3
bass-shy said:
I've been debating whether or not to switch out my Hosa patch cords on my pedalboard for solid couplers. It seems to me that the solid ones would have less capacitance and less signal loss, due to their cable-less design. I recently switched my instrument cables for Monster Jazz's and now I feel like the patch cords I'm using are a weak link in my signal chain. Does anyone have any experience with the solid type couplers or have any suggestions for some larger guage patch cords? I have been eyeballing the George L's but I was hoping I could find a cheaper solution. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

You are correct. There will be less capacitance to affect the signal with the solid connectors and less to go wrong.
 
#5
Also, the amount of cable used for a bunch of pedals is not exactly going to run to metres and meters !
I have 6 pedals, and the total length of all cables isnt much more than a meter - the capacitance problem will be nothing you will be able to hear

..unless you have like, 50 pedals, i cant see a problem using cable over solids.

And another thing, using solids is not a problem if all your pedals can be mounted in one line left to right / right to left, and that INPUTS and OUTPUTS are all orientated on the same sides. EG input on left side , output on right side

I have at least 3 of my pedals that dont comform.

My TE SMX comp has the input and output reversed to a Boss, and also they're on the top, unlike the BOSS
My APHEX EXCITER has the inputs and outputs at the top of the pedal, unlike like BOSS
My UNIBASS has the Ins and Outs also on the top.

This is where the Solid Jacks over Cabled Jacks breaks down.
 
#6
powerslave said:
this is a good point and why i have not got any myself, is there anyone that can share their experience with these types of connections? :hiding:
Click to expand...

i use three of them to connect my EBS pedals together, plus one for connecting two boss pedals.

first off, i think they save a bit of space on your pedalboard.

second, i haven't really notice a difference in sound. this is probably a good thing. i do notice that they don't "crackle" at all. plus i haven't had one breakdown on me either. (i think 3 years now)

umm.... third, they were pretty cheap. i think $2 each.

i agree with the other post about making sure the ins/outs line up. if not, your pedals won't be flush to the board, and there's a chance you could damage the jacks when switch your pedals on and off.

i can't really think of anything else to help you... mostly i change my cables because i found that i would always destroy the right angle short cables. i still have a few of them connecting pedals, that i'm considering changing to george l's. people here say good things about them.
 
#8
If you run all BOSS/Digitech/DOD/etc. where the inputs are all on the right side, and the outputs are all on the left side, and the pedals are all roughly the same size, and you don't mind having all of your pedals in a row, I say go for it.

If you need them in multiple rows, you'll probably need a 1' or 3' cable to run from the output of row 1 to the input of row 2. The other draw back is that you can't stick pedals that are always on up and away from pedals you use intermittenly.

I'm in the same boat as Magus. I have 2 BOSS pedals on my board now. One (Chorus) is tucked up and out of the way, since it's on 100% of the time. The other (my Tuner) is tucked up and out of the way, so I don't accidentally hit it while playing my wah.

My wah and volume are both in-right out-left, but are longer, and would make a really silly looking set-up. The other three pedals I have are all top-loaders. One of them (Big Muff PI) is reveresed, so I actually have my cables crossing.
 
#14
I personally prefer ProCo cables, or have one of two people make them for me. I can pick my color using Canare cable, and I'll go for the switchcraft connectors, which I like better than Neutrik, are smaller, and pretty sturdy. Haven't broken one yet. Right angle cables for sure, and you can stagger the pedals up and down if you have to.

I've had good and bad experience with George L's. Wired two boards fine, then when I tried to wire mine, I had a few bad cables due to faulty connectors, then when I tried to get a refund for the setup, they wouldn't refund me for the cable I cut off and couldn't use because of faulty connectors. Haven't gone back since then.
 
#15
tplyons said:
I personally prefer ProCo cables, or have one of two people make them for me. I can pick my color using Canare cable, and I'll go for the switchcraft connectors, which I like better than Neutrik, are smaller, and pretty sturdy. Haven't broken one yet. Right angle cables for sure, and you can stagger the pedals up and down if you have to.

I've had good and bad experience with George L's. Wired two boards fine, then when I tried to wire mine, I had a few bad cables due to faulty connectors, then when I tried to get a refund for the setup, they wouldn't refund me for the cable I cut off and couldn't use because of faulty connectors. Haven't gone back since then.
Click to expand...

I had a very similar experience. Bad connectors, bad karma, and a bad setup resulting. Hunting down the culprit sucked, and not getting a refund was worse. I now have about 20 feet of George L cabling, and Tons of connectors, all sitting in the closet. I went back to the Procos.
 
#17
jja412 said:
I had a very similar experience. Bad connectors, bad karma, and a bad setup resulting. Hunting down the culprit sucked, and not getting a refund was worse. I now have about 20 feet of George L cabling, and Tons of connectors, all sitting in the closet. I went back to the Procos.
Click to expand...


if they're still work, want to sell them?
 
#18
Thanks for the info, all. I am thinking that cables are the way to go. I am also thinking that making my own will probably give me the results I want. That said, does anyone know a good source for high quality cable and terminators? I would like twelve guage cable and all right angle plugs. Money is kind of an issue right now so I'm looking for a cheap solution, if that's possible. I think I'll stay away from the George L's too. Once again, thanks for all of your input.
 
#20
bass-shy said:
Thanks for the info, all. I am thinking that cables are the way to go. I am also thinking that making my own will probably give me the results I want. That said, does anyone know a good source for high quality cable and terminators? I would like twelve guage cable and all right angle plugs. Money is kind of an issue right now so I'm looking for a cheap solution, if that's possible. I think I'll stay away from the George L's too. Once again, thanks for all of your input.
Click to expand...

High quality right angle terminals/cable + cheap solution = NO WAY.
Unfortunately good cabling is high dollar, and right angle are really high, unless you want to order like 500.

But making your own cables is the way to go, IMO. It's just hard top do on a limited budget.
 

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