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The DIY Cable Thread

#61
I switched from Star Quad to GS6 because I had a feeling there was something like this going on. However I will admit it was nothing more than just a feeling.

Couple of things I should mention if it has not already been said:
1. Canare GS-6 is some heavy duty stuff. The center conductor is huge, probably 18 ga. and the jacket is very thick. So it should provide a lot good service life. It is also very easy to strip and unbraid.

2. I have been making cables since Switchcraft was the go-to 1/4" connector. Anymore I cannot stand Switchcraft connectors and have gone exclusively to Neutrik wherever possible. To me the Neutrik product is easier to assemble, both XLR and 1/4" and they have a FAR superior strain relief system to anything I have seen. The only thing Neutrik has not done well is make a right angle 1/4" jack that is compact enough to use on pedal board jumpers, we still have to use companies like Switchcraft or G&H. Alternatively there is always the George L. route too.

Just my 2 cents.

fretlessrock said:
Twisted pair cable is a bad choice for high impedance connections. Not just my opinion. I have a friend who did tech work for ESPN and let me run a few experiments with a HP network analyzer that cost more than a BMW 7 series. I had a cable from a guy who was using Canare L4E6S StarQuad mic cable to make instrument cables, one of my Canare GS-6/Neutrik cables, a ProCo cheapie, and a good commercial cable (IIRC it was a Whirlwind), plus a Blue mic cable. The StarQuad response was lumpy at high Z, and it showed the worst capacitance measurements. Use good coax like GS-6 or the Mogami equivalent and you get top notch performance at high impedance, and top notch noise rejection, and none of the handling noise (microphonics) that you can get with twisted pair when you connect it to a high impedance device.
Click to expand...
 
#63
scowboy said:
8< The only thing Neutrik has not done well is make a right angle 1/4" jack that is compact enough to use on pedal board jumpers, we still have to use companies like Switchcraft or G&H.
Click to expand...

Nuetrik have improved their right angle 1/4" plugs. They are now more compact, and all metal. Small enough for your pedal board? Only you can decide.

I've been using Nuetrik, straight 1/4" plugs, and G&H right angle plugs. I'll try the new Nuetriks, when my stash of G&Hs runs out.
 
#64
I have some Neutrik NP2X plugs, and some Proco musicmover I'll be using to make some short patch cables for the tuner out from my amp, etc.

I have a question about the blue clamp it looks like the metal housing will not contain the blue clamp inside of it while clamping on the full diameter of the cable. I must me missing something. Before I slice and dice, are there any tricks?

Thanks for any insights,
Paul
 
#65
Where is a cheap place to get a reliable right angle head (no pancake)? I have an old cable that I must have broken some connections inside it because it stopped working. I figured I'd fix it up and make it a straight and right angled instead of 2 straights.
 
#69
PaulNYC said:
I have some Neutrik NP2X plugs, and some Proco musicmover I'll be using to make some short patch cables for the tuner out from my amp, etc.

I have a question about the blue clamp it looks like the metal housing will not contain the blue clamp inside of it while clamping on the full diameter of the cable. I must me missing something. Before I slice and dice, are there any tricks?

Thanks for any insights,
Paul
Click to expand...

The blue chuck has a little tab on the non-gripping end that can be snapped off to handle larger diameter cables. Check the Neutrik web site for instructions on what diameter cable needs the tab broken off.
 
#71
Need some help guys:

I want to make a TRS to TRS stereo cable, short like less than 6"...I can't seem to find stereo (3 conductor) cable anywhere. What I'm trying to do is hook up the effects loop jack (TRS) on a Radial BassBone to a stereo split box (TRS input> TR send & TR return) to avoid having to arrange pedals based on the length of Y-legs on a stereo insert cable. I then can use any lengths of cables for the return and send cables (more flexibility for a changing pedal board). Any suggestions? Could also use a right angle TRS plug on the BassBone to keep it nice and neat.
 
#72
Brim said:
Is there any easy way to make a TRS to TRS short stereo cable? I can't seem to find stereo (3 conductor) cable anywhere. What I'm trying to do is hook up the effects loop jack (TRS) on a Radial BassBone to a stereo split box (TRS input> TR send & TR return) to avoid having to arrange pedals based on the Y-legs of a stereo insert cable. Any suggestions? Could also use a right angle TRS plug on the bass bone.
Click to expand...

Easey peasy; Skip the TS plugs and instrument cable ( I like Canare GS6) and use TRS plugs, and good quality Mic cable. I have several such cables in my rack rig.
 
#73
ulrich said:
Easey peasy; Skip the TS plugs and instrument cable ( I like Canare GS6) and use TRS plugs, and good quality Mic cable. I have several such cables in my rack rig.
Click to expand...

Ah....cool thanks man. Does it matter that the rest of the cables on a pedalboard are different from the mic cable (will it affect tone in other words)? This is more for a guitar player's tone vs. bass player. Any quality mic cable recommendations?
 
#74
Brim said:
Ah....cool thanks man. Does it matter that the rest of the cables on a pedalboard are different from the mic cable (will it affect tone in other words)? This is more for a guitar player's tone vs. bass player. Any quality mic cable recommendations?
Click to expand...

If you want to be fussy, my preference in descending order: Canare, Mogami, Belden. Though, if I'm skint, I'm not above use scraps of old, $5 Musicians Friend, mic cables.

Tone? We're getting a bit over my head here, but... Almost certainly not a problem. The signal has probably been boosted enough that it doesn't matter, and the cable will too short, for any extra capacitance to matter.
 
#75
Anyone know where to buy 16-gauge 2 Conductor Speaker quality cable? I only need ~3 ft but I don't mind buying in bulk as I'll need more later.

Also, where can I find a bigger barreled 1/4" jack? I'm afraid most would be too small to house the 2 conductors.

I'm only asking because most the links in this thread are DOA.
 
#76
tb420 said:
Anyone know where to buy 16-gauge 2 Conductor Speaker quality cable? I only need ~3 ft but I don't mind buying in bulk as I'll need more later.

Also, where can I find a bigger barreled 1/4" jack? I'm afraid most would be too small to house the 2 conductors.

I'm only asking because most the links in this thread are DOA.
Click to expand...

Most decent sized hardware stores, will have good speaker cable. I like round, black, cable. Look for cable marked SJO, SJOO or some such. If they only have 14 AWG, use that.

Edit: Your preference for 16 AWG not mine. I know it doesn't matter for short runs, but 16 AWG just isn't enough cheaper to make me use it.

Here's some big 1/4 from a seller I've had good luck with: http://cgi.ebay.com/pair-Neutrik-NY...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad45ef224

Though, personally, I convert all my gear to Nuetrik Speakon.
 
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#77
i want to build my own speaker cable
i have some 14awg wire in my basement
like this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
thats fine for speaker wire right?
i put two pieces side by side and they fit in a standard switchcraft 1/4, so i can make 2 cables like that and use them to hook my acoustic b200h to my soon to be built jack 12
 
#78
ulrich said:
If you want to be fussy, my preference in descending order: Canare, Mogami, Belden. Though, if I'm skint, I'm not above use scraps of old, $5 Musicians Friend, mic cables.

Tone? We're getting a bit over my head here, but... Almost certainly not a problem. The signal has probably been boosted enough that it doesn't matter, and the cable will too short, for any extra capacitance to matter.
Click to expand...

Thx bro.
 
#79
I'm making cables to connect preamps, effects, and junk and I found this deal on Neutrik right angle plugs if anybody is interested. $1.09 ea. with free shipping when you select UPS ground and checkout throught their website
Link Removed

tn4_1078935.jpg
 
#80
You want 90% minimum shielding for instrument cables so you don't get an antenna instead of an cable. Canare at $0.83-1.00/ft is good for this and costs even less in bulk. Parts Express also sells some nice generic cable in this class for around $40/100 ft. Rane plugs are a decent quality alternative to Neutrik.

Stranded electrical wire can be used for speaker cables in a pinch, but you have to be careful. Actual speaker wire in the same AWG size is more flexible because it has more and smaller strands, which also make tinning and soldering easier. Heat shrink or electrical tape should be used on 1/4" plugs with either of these to prevent shorts - don't just trust the plug's strain relief crimp.
 

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