Question on Speaker Cable Length.

[::::BASSIST::::]

A couple weeks I was in a local music store and one of the clerks told me that you cannot use thin gage cables (from amp to cab) no matter how short they are.

It was my understanding that you can use thin cables (like guitar patch cables) as long as they are less than 3 feet long.

Is the clerk right?

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Was he trying to sell you cable at the time?

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I think he was just trying to be helpful.

 

[slyjoe]

The clerk is incorrect.

Length is less important than gauge. Most instrument cables have too small a conductor for high amperage speaker outputs.

 

[HugoM]

A couple weeks I was in a local music store and one of the clerks told me that you cannot use thin gage cables (from amp to cab) no matter how short they are.

It was my understanding that you can use thin cables (like guitar patch cables) as long as they are less than 3 feet long.

Is the clerk right?

It's possible that a guitar cable would not have noticeable power-robbing impedance if very short. However, when fed lots of watts, it can get as hot as a longer cable -- worst case scenario, enough to weaken a solder joint so that it fails, causes a short and blows your amp. Why take the risk?

 

[RickenBoogie]

A short SPEAKER cable is what you want, not an instrument cable, of any legnth.

 

[atheos]

Yes, there's a reason why instrument and speaker cables are different products. NO INSTRUMENT CABLES FROM AMPS TO SPEAKERS. Speaker cables in instruments won't cause any danger though, maybe harm the tone a bit.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

A couple weeks I was in a local music store and one of the clerks told me that you cannot use thin gage cables (from amp to cab) no matter how short they are.

It was my understanding that you can use thin cables (like guitar patch cables) as long as they are less than 3 feet long.

Is the clerk right?

Depends what you call thin. I wouldn't run 24 gauge. But in a 6 footer 16 gauge is enough. I doubt you can buy one lighter anyway.