Wire Gauge for DIY Cables?

[Iwalkedin]

I'm trying to make my own instrument cables but the fancy pure copper wiring I have seems to be too much. It was difficult to solder to the plugs and didnt even work. What type of wire is recommended?

 

[BioWeapon]

I used 18 gauge Canare instrument cabling. Worked just fine. There was also 20 gauge available, but I wanted some thing a little more robust.
Got it for about 4$ a meter, or about 1.25$ a foot.

 

[ddnidd1]

As mentioned, you want 'instrument' cable which is 'shielded'.