Building Solderless Cables … easy?

[JerEvil]

So I have come to realize I need to build some of my own cables for my pedalboard. Which solder less cables do you all use and how easy are they to make?

Thanks.

 

[webrthomson]

Used to use George L's - very easy but get a good cable tester and you are sorted.

However, I would suggest instead of the expense of the solderless systems (they are WAY more expensive) just buy a middle of the road soldering iron and some decent plugs and cable and get to it. There are only two solders per end, and before long you'll be soldering other stuff, guitar pickups, amps etc. Just my $0.02

 

[JerEvil]

Used to use George L's - very easy but get a good cable tester and you are sorted.

However, I would suggest instead of the expense of the solderless systems (they are WAY more expensive) just buy a middle of the road soldering iron and some decent plugs and cable and get to it. There are only two solders per end, and before long you'll be soldering other stuff, guitar pickups, amps etc. Just my $0.02

Thought about this as well I need to learn to solder for basic maintenance purposes.

 

[PBGas]

I used the Evidence Audio monorail and the screw in ends that they sell. They all worked perfectly and are very secure.

 

[Elric]

Used to use George L's - very easy but get a good cable tester and you are sorted.

However, I would suggest instead of the expense of the solderless systems (they are WAY more expensive) just buy a middle of the road soldering iron and some decent plugs and cable and get to it. There are only two solders per end, and before long you'll be soldering other stuff, guitar pickups, amps etc. Just my $0.02

+1. I got tired of d*cking around with expensive cables a few years back and just bought a bunch of bulk Mogami cable and connectors and had at it. Totally worth the time/effort and more reliable than any unsoldered connection.

 

[JerEvil]

Used to use George L's - very easy but get a good cable tester and you are sorted.

However, I would suggest instead of the expense of the solderless systems (they are WAY more expensive) just buy a middle of the road soldering iron and some decent plugs and cable and get to it. There are only two solders per end, and before long you'll be soldering other stuff, guitar pickups, amps etc. Just my $0.02

+1. I got tired of d*cking around with expensive cables a few years back and just bought a bunch of bulk Mogami cable and connectors and had at it. Totally worth the time/effort and more reliable than any unsoldered connection.

Just saw this.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... old-per-ft

What tips do you recommend?

 

[scary groove]

I just got a Planet Waves solderless system. 50' of cable. 10 plugs. $50. Check them out:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...eywords=planet+waves+solderless&condition=new

 

[RG955TT]

I've used the Lava Cables ones, although on my new board I used their new ones that you just solder the little insert piece and I like those even better.

 

[webrthomson]

Used to use George L's - very easy but get a good cable tester and you are sorted.

However, I would suggest instead of the expense of the solderless systems (they are WAY more expensive) just buy a middle of the road soldering iron and some decent plugs and cable and get to it. There are only two solders per end, and before long you'll be soldering other stuff, guitar pickups, amps etc. Just my $0.02

+1. I got tired of d*cking around with expensive cables a few years back and just bought a bunch of bulk Mogami cable and connectors and had at it. Totally worth the time/effort and more reliable than any unsoldered connection.

Just saw this.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... old-per-ft

What tips do you recommend?

GLS or Lava 229 pancake plugs - mostly I do this for pedal boards and they are both pretty good - I heard that's what Friedman uses which is why I went for them. Not had any issues with either thought the Lavas seem a little more sturdy.

 

[Spaceboy]

The solderless Lava seem to be plagued with failures in online reviews. Just learn to solder, it's the easiest thing in the world and will be much more reliable. It's cheaper than solderless kits too.

 

[cyndicate]

The solderless Lava seem to be plagued with failures in online reviews. Just learn to solder, it's the easiest thing in the world and will be much more reliable. It's cheaper than solderless kits too.

+1, a lot cheaper than solderless and a lot more reliabile. Just order some mogami cable and these plugs

https://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Profile ... udio+1%2F4

really easy to put together. All you need is a soldering iron, some wire strippers and some patience

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Solderless cables are the worst idea I have ever heard.

This is after a decade as a professional touring guitar tech.

Sure I've heard some of this cable and it sounds fine, sure most of the time the cables work without tweaking.

But not ALL of the time.

the simple fact that laziness causes guitarists to take chances at the most critical point, the actual signal chain is comical and stupid.

Learn to solder it takes five minutes.

 

[the grimbrewer]

Solderless is easy but man, you gotta' get some digi flex cable and neutrix ends and you'll never have any problems unless you cut'em in half.

 

[C1-ocaster]

So I have come to realize I need to build some of my own cables for my pedalboard. Which solder less cables do you all use and how easy are they to make?

Thanks.

Don't do solderless. The connection point won't have as much wire to connector contact as soldering.
Get a soldering iron, good solder, an old bad guitar cable and practice on it.
The biggest thing to watch for is a "cold" solder joint. It's easy to see if it's a cold connection as the solder will have a dull finish.
It should be shiny. Make sure to heat both the plug connection point and the cable wire then add solder.
It's really easy to do and I'm sure you can see video's of it on youtube.

Check out partsexpress.com
They have bulk instrument cable, and a couple very nice options at much less than a $1 per foot.
And it's 20 gauge, a bit thicker than most ready made cable at 22 gauge.

This one here has great shielding and it's only $.77 per foot in a 100ft spool.
http://www.parts-express.com/pro-co-gui ... a--100-292

I just found this searching around:
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... dium=feed&
20 gauge w/75% shield, great price!
250ft for $70! That's awesome. $.28 per ft!

 

[Reiep]

I used to have the Lava solderless kit, very practical for temporary stuff, but for long term installations you will have issues. Soldering ftw, it's easy and fun

 

[Deleted member 8761]

This is probably opening a can of worms, but I gotta ask, what brand do you guys recommend in terms of tonal quality? I use Providence guitar cables and I want to put an ISP decimeter before my OD pedal. I dig Providence because they don't color the sound so much, but patch cables are harder to find.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

I would go for soldered cables myself. Lava Mini ELC cable is tits for pedalboards.

 

[Classic]

For solderless it has to be EA SIS and monorail. They're easy to build and strongs as.