what's the deal with coiled instrument cables?

[JimmyDoomsday]

i see them becoming more and more prevalent in youtube videos of pedal demos and such. is this just the hip new thing or are there legitimate advantages to using such a cable (tone-wise at least - i imagine their main advantage over standard cables is that they don't get tangled)? are there any particular brand(s) to check out?

 

[glassjaw7]

They get tangled a lot more often, actually. Not sure of any difference tone-wise, but I think they're just look cool to the hipsters

 

[some dude]

I've been using coil cables for years. The main reason is because they don't get tangled up. They stretch and collapse as I move around, so I don't end up with a pile of cable underneath me to trip on.

In terms of tone it depends on the cable. I've used some that bleed a lot of top end and others that don't. Some produce a lot of handling noise (an effect that's exaggerated when you're dragging coiled cable across on stage), others are pretty silent.

 

[glassjaw7]

The one I have gets tangled like crazy!!!

 

[Ventura]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a spin on that ol' fashion thang... You know, the coilies were prevalent in the late 60's and 70's, then it went straight, now they may be trying it back on as a new trend.

I couldn't care less. I've got my Vovox cables and life is good

 

[MisterBulbous]

slightly retro fashion, slightly practical. If it's a heavy gauge, much less likely to get tangled up. My VOX coily cable weighs about 30lbs though!

 

[some dude]

The one I have gets tangled like crazy!!!

I have a cheap white one that gets tangled like a shitty phone cord, but the rest have bigger, heavier coils and those have been solid.

 

[Musician78]

My guitarist uses one. I think it looks goofy but I don't have to like it.

 

[racerevlon]

Same thing with my VOX coiled cable -- doesn't tangle and stays out of my way -- solid construction.

 

[squank]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a spin on that ol' fashion thang... You know, the coilies were prevalent in the late 60's and 70's, then it went straight, now they may be trying it back on as a new trend.

I couldn't care less. I've got my Vovox cables and life is good

This.

 

[Giga]

I used to have a Bullet coily cable when I plugged straight into my rack. Very convenient; not to so much now that I plug into my pedalboard. Compared to a good "normal" cable it was terribly compressed sounding.

Giga

 

[nevusofota]

I'm in the camp that you should have the shortest cable possible to do the job. Coiled cables have a lot more cable for the signal to go through. Also, you can't be as mobile on stage. Besides not getting tangled (which is up for debate), I don't get the benefit of coiled cables.

 

[some dude]

I'm in the camp that you should have the shortest cable possible to do the job. Coiled cables have a lot more cable for the signal to go through. Also, you can't be as mobile on stage. Besides not getting tangled (which is up for debate), I don't get the benefit of coiled cables.

I don't like the sound of short cables (too bright). Coiling the cable is a way more convenient way of getting 30 feet of cable into a small space than having a 30 feet of straight cable laying at your feet.

It does reduce your mobility. It's not a big deal if you plug straight into the amp and stay on your own side of the stage. A pedalboard would probably work fine too provided the thing has enough weight to resist the pulling of the cable.

 

[FourT6and2]

they don't get tangled?

They get tangled a lot more often

they don't get tangled up.

The one I have gets tangled like crazy!!!

much less likely to get tangled up

doesn't tangle

lol wat?

 

[rlord1974]

 

[geese_com]

I have a Bullet Cable and I noticed it gets tangled quite often, but I thought my non coily cables got tangled even more.

 

[joepete77]

I have been using them for yrs, there weren't hardly any companies making them back then, now there are several. I think rapco was the only ones new you could get in the 90's. I also had a bullet cable when they first came out and they are great but look a tad bit funny as they are so thick.I liked the coil cords mainly because they don't tangle up in my gig bag and cause I always thought they looked cool in old pics and vids of my favorites like the clash, the who, kinks, Hendrix , etc. now that they have the hipster tag kind of takes the cool factor away

 

[the rossness]

my Fender coiled cable always gets tangled

 

[Burn]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a spin on that ol' fashion thang... You know, the coilies were prevalent in the late 60's and 70's, then it went straight, now they may be trying it back on as a new trend.

I couldn't care less. I've got my Vovox cables and life is good

Haha, exactly. I'm not getting another guitar or speaker cable before my Vovox ones actually break

I think they're just look cool to the hipsters

+1