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Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:18 pm
by jfhudak
Hey Fellers,

Just got my Canare cable and Switchcraft ends for making up my own cable. What lengths do y'all prefer? I was thinking of making two 15 footers, that way I'd be able to run from my guitar to my wah, and the wah to the amp with out any issues.

I can't remember the max length before you start losing signal. Is it 50 feet?

Thanks, Fellers!

Johnny Reb

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:26 pm
by Roadrunner
I like 10 or 15 feet for the effects to guitar cable and 25 feet for pedal board to amp... some stages, especially big outdoor stages need longer cables to get back to the amps.

If I'm playing a "normal" club and not using pedals, which I loathe, I usually end up using a 15 or 20 foot cable from the guitar to the amp.

So... ya got a few cables to make, it's always better to cover all the bases.

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:06 pm
by Guitar-Sam
2 15fts should do ya.
I usually use a 20ft from guitar to tonesuckers then I usually find what ever length I need without excess from tonesuckers to amp.

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:24 pm
by jfhudak
Roadrunner wrote:I like 10 or 15 feet for the effects to guitar cable and 25 feet for pedal board to amp... some stages, especially big outdoor stages need longer cables to get back to the amps.

If I'm playing a "normal" club and not using pedals, which I loathe, I usually end up using a 15 or 20 foot cable from the guitar to the amp.

So... ya got a few cables to make, it's always better to cover all the bases.
Rock on! Thanks for the input bro. ;)

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:27 pm
by jfhudak
Guitar-Sam wrote:2 15fts should do ya.
I usually use a 20ft from guitar to tonesuckers then I usually find what ever length I need without excess from tonesuckers to amp.

Very cool, thanks for chiming in! I have enough cable for two 15 footers right now, and as cheap as this solution was I'll order more as I need it.

TONESUCKERS! LOL

That's hilarious and so right on. The guys in my band are on me to get effects all the time and I try to use'em, but I just like the basics and a wah is about all I can handle right now. I would like to find an Echoplex and a good Leslie simulator at some point.

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:36 pm
by JimiJames
I remember reading in a reputable sound engineering magazine, 20 feet. After 25 on an instrument cable the fidelity is degraded.
FWIW, I see more and more 18ft cables...
I have no clue how this is pulled off in snakes. I would assume your at a loss no matter what when a snake is used...

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:14 pm
by jfhudak
UPDATE:

The new cables sound VERY good and are very quiet. Well, three of them work well but the fourth has a very weak signal. I'm guessing weak solder joint so I'm going to go back and touch that one up.

This Canare cable is good stuff! It definitely sounds better with the old gear.

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:34 pm
by demonufo
Always preferred Neutrik to Switchcraft myself. Especially now they have the smart earth shorting ones, which are silent when unplugged.

Re: Making Your Own Cables - Length?

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:40 am
by Guitar-Sam
jfhudak wrote: TONESUCKERS! LOL

That's hilarious and so right on. The guys in my band are on me to get effects all the time and I try to use'em, but I just like the basics and a wah is about all I can handle right now.
Yea kinna funny LOL.I have TONESUCKERS written on my road case for my pedals in big permanent marker.
I am also the singer in my band and when my wah breaks down occasionaly and I have to make an imidiate move from solo to singing.I've had to pull the occasional flying wah wah trick.........and YES they bounce. :mrgreen:
All I got is Wah->Dist->Delay and you wouldn't believe the problems three boxes can dish out after 2 weeks of no playing and sitting in a cold truck..............and of course they NEVER act up at sound check!!!!! :oops: