best cables for putting together a rack type rig

[turmoil]

i'm in the process of getting a GCX audio switcher and a Ground Control pro so i can use it with my Powerball/rectifier amps as well as a bunch of various stomp boxes but i'm wondering what's the best kind of cabling to use?

A lot of people recommend George L's, of which i've never had any experience with, and the Planet Waves 'custom' cables which i had a few and some crapped out on me so i'm a little leery about trying again.

Are there any others? I'll need to be able to make my own custom lengths and i'd prefer some cables that are really reliable and don't really muck up the tone much.

i'd love to hear a bunch of opinions on this!
thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I like GeorgeLs because it is so easy to make custom size cables. They seem to work and last well for me...

Steve

 

[turmoil]

yeah a lot of people have been saying that and i'm pretty sure that's what i'm going to go with but you guys seem to always have the heads up on small boutique stuff that's sweet.

 

[steve_k]

I tried George L's, Core-X and Plnaet Waves but never had much faith in non-soldered connections. Sooner or later you will get one rattle loose and all of a sudden you will have a nasty hum to go look for. Check a few of the rack builders (you have one on this site now) and they will recommend doing your own. I ended up buying a load of Neutrik jacks and 100' of Moghami cable and a Weller soldering iron and do my own. The sound quality and reliability is much better.

Steve

 

[Zachman]

I have Mogami 2524 cable mostly in my rig. Here is one of the sheets Bob Bradshaw gave me when he finished my rig. Hope this helps

 

[guitarslinger]

+1 for making your own cable!

But, +-0 on Mogami. I'm indifferent. It's very easy to strip, which is great, but solder never wants to stick to it for me.

OTOH, Canare sounds as good, but it's harder to strip. However, it sticks to solder REALLY easily compared to the Mogami, In my experience.

Regardless, making your own cables is fun, easy, satisfying, and awesome.

Your friends will marvel at your new skill. They'll realize you are sitting on a potential goldmine.

 

[vchizzle]

Yeah, get out the soldering iron for sure. I have my rack wired with George L's(the thinner cable). I have no complaints, except that its gotten really expensive. I also like Canare cable alot...sounds great, priced well. They have a thinner cable as well for rack/pedal board, but I haven't tried it to see if it sounds any different.

 

[guitarslinger]

I also like Canare cable alot...sounds great, priced well. They have a thinner cable as well for rack/pedal board, but I haven't tried it to see if it sounds any different.

Canare GS-4

It's sounds REALLY good, and it's only like $.50 a foot. It's pretty easy to work with too!

 

[turmoil]

wow, thanks for all that info guys!! i think i'm going to go with some Mogami cables and switchcraft connectors.

 

[turmoil]

so i found some pretty darn cheap Mogami 2319 cabling here
http://www.redco.com/shopdisplayproduct ... ment+Cable

how much of this will i need? i'll have about 5 or 6 pedals on a rack shelf. would 50 ft be enough to work with? i'm pretty good at soldering but i've never put any cables together before so i figured i'd have some extra to play around with.

As far as Switchcraft jacks are concerned i found these two:

(straight)
http://ecomm.toursupply.com/cgi-bin/tsi ... d=Ufxckb3S

(angled)
http://ecomm.toursupply.com/cgi-bin/tsi ... d=Ufxckb3S

they seem reasonably priced but are there any other places that sell the same jacks for less? the right angled ones just seem so much more expensive

 

[guitarslinger]

redco.com sells everything you need.

 

[Mark Day]

+1 on Bradshaw's recommendation for cable!

Mark

 

[turmoil]

oh nice.

i'm sure it doesn't matter but it'll be cool if i use these Neutrik connectors
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=199

with these Redco right angles
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=697

or should i try to keep it all one brand and use these:
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=1312

 

[Mark Day]

oh nice.

i'm sure it doesn't matter but it'll be cool if i use these Neutrik connectors
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=199

with these Redco right angles
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=697

or should i try to keep it all one brand and use these:
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=1312

Top 2 for me. I find the last one quite large.

mark

 

[turmoil]

oh nice.

i'm sure it doesn't matter but it'll be cool if i use these Neutrik connectors
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=199

with these Redco right angles
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=697

or should i try to keep it all one brand and use these:
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=1312

Top 2 for me. I find the last one quite large.

mark

yeah, the last one is a little on the huge size

thanks mark!!
oh, and by the way your clips are incredible. they make me want an OD100+ in the worst way

 

[lordriffenstein]

I use all Mogami in my rack. Every cable that connects outside the rack is 2524 and all cabling inside is 2528. The 2528 is really cool, small but easy to work with. I never had a problem soldering the Mogami either, works like a charm. Just make sure that you remove the black insulation when you solder it. The insulation is conductive and can cause you to loose high end if it touches the 'hot'.

 

[turmoil]

nice!!

i guess my next question would be, is there a good tutorial out there for learning how to solder cables??

 

[guitarslinger]

nice!!

i guess my next question would be, is there a good tutorial out there for learning how to solder cables??

Tips:

1. In this picture, you can see the black shield between the woven copper shield and the clear plastic shield. That MUST be stripped. Make SURE it doesn't touch your tip connection.

This is explained in detail @
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=965

It's easier said than done. Make sure you buy a nice wire stripper at your local hardware store.

2. Spend the $100 for a good, temp-controlled soldering station like the Weller WES-51 seen here.

3. Always "tin" your connections. This just means "melt solder onto the bare wire and the spot to where you're soldering it".

4. a nice set of needle nose pliers will get as much use as any other tool you own.


That's about it. except

5. MAKE SURE you put the barrel of the jack on the cable before you solder the ends on.

 

[turmoil]

nice!!

i guess my next question would be, is there a good tutorial out there for learning how to solder cables??

Tips:

1. In this picture, you can see the black shield between the woven copper shield and the clear plastic shield. That MUST be stripped. Make SURE it doesn't touch your tip connection.

This is explained in detail @
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=965

It's easier said than done. Make sure you buy a nice wire stripper at your local hardware store.

2. Spend the $100 for a good, temp-controlled soldering station like the Weller WES-51 seen here.

3. Always "tin" your connections. This just means "melt solder onto the bare wire and the spot to where you're soldering it".

4. a nice set of needle nose pliers will get as much use as any other tool you own.


That's about it. except

5. MAKE SURE you put the barrel of the jack on the cable before you solder the ends on.

nice info man!!
so i just have to make sure that black shielded part is trimmed back so it doesn't touch the copper tip or the connector piece at all, correct?

I think i have just about everything, a side from some really good wire strippers. i can't wait to get this project underway.