Guitar Cable 90 Degree Guide

Guitar cables are an essential element of any serious guitarist’s kit. Whether you’re practicing at home or performing live, these can make or break your tone.

When shopping for instrument cables, there are a few key considerations. These include length, connectors, shielding and noise reduction.

Length

Guitar cables are essential components of your music equipment and can significantly affect the quality of sound. Most commonly, these lengths range from 10 to 20 feet; if you have multiple effects pedals, consider using a longer cable.

A superior guitar cable should have a center conductor and shielding, made of stranded copper for improved conductivity and tone. The higher the copper quality, the better.

Another factor affecting cable quality is its conductor gauge (AWG). A lower gauge may be more cost-effective, but it may degrade quickly if you put too much strain on it or play hard.

When plugging a guitar into an amp, the cable can bend at the end plug, placing strain on its solder joints. Cables that reinforce this area at the plug help protect against damage by spreading out stress more evenly.

Many guitarists prefer right-angled plugs on their guitar cables for reduced strain on both cord and plug, but this is not necessary for everyone. It’s a personal preference, but right-angled cables may also be easier to manage if you have many pedals on your board.

The only disadvantage to right-angled cables is that they cannot run straight away from your hardware, which may be an issue for certain rack-mounted gear and complex setups with multiple speaker cabinets or amps.

Angled guitar cables can be more challenging to repair, since they need to be unplugged and reconnected to your hardware. Therefore, having a spare on hand is recommended so you don’t have to scramble when something goes awry.

For a top-of-the-line guitar cable with an authentic vintage vibe, look no further than Vox Premium Vintage Coiled cable. Crafted from 99.9% purity oxygen-free copper, it delivers an exquisite mid-range frequency for that authentic vintage vibe.

Connectors

For the optimal music experience, investing in a guitar cable made with top-tier materials is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality options available to choose from.

When running a cable to an effects pedal or pedal board, rack mount unit, or directly into your amp, one of the first things you should consider is what connectors are being used at each end. Without proper connection, issues like damage and tangles may arise.

For instance, if you’re using your guitar to plug into an effects pedal with a side-mounted input jack, then right angle plugs are typically the best choice. They’re less prone to getting accidentally ripped off or broken and they slide straight into the jack without any tangles or issues.

However, if you plan to use your guitar for stage performance, it’s essential that the cable you use is sturdy enough to withstand any heavy loads. GLS Audio’s Braided Tweed Instrument Cable is an excellent option in this regard.

The cable’s center conductor is made from oxygen-free copper, providing high fidelity with low noise. This guarantees a clear and detailed sound while shielding you from interference.

One great feature of this cable is its insulated shield. This reduces handling noise and acts as an electrostatic shield, so you won’t have to worry about any tangles or interference while traveling or performing.

Finally, this cable is constructed to withstand harsh conditions and wear-and-tear. It boasts a robust tweed outer jacket as well as chuck-type strain relief, so you can rest assured your guitar will stay in excellent condition.

The Mogami Gold Instrument Cable is a 25-foot high-clarity cable with gold-plated connectors on both ends. This cable offers exceptionally clear, accurate tone with an almost silent background – ideal for unbalanced instruments, pedals, patching etc. If you prefer to move around while playing, its carbon impregnated PVC shield serves as an additional shield layer to eliminate handling noise while you play.

Shielding

When connecting an instrument to an amplifier, shielding the cable is essential. Doing so helps reduce interference from radio frequencies and magnetic fields. The same holds true for speakers.

Guitar cables come with various shielding options, such as braided, spiral, and foil. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

Braided cable shielding is the most expensive and offers the greatest protection, but it’s also difficult to work with. It may be difficult to bend and manipulate, plus certain instruments and amps may not be compatible.

Spiral shielding is an economical choice that provides excellent noise reduction and flexibility, but it may be more vulnerable to interference. Furthermore, it’s not as strong or durable as braided cable shielding, either.

Foil shielding is a cost-effective and flexible choice, but it does not provide as much protection as braided or spiral shielding. Furthermore, foil shielding may pick up interference from radio frequencies and magnetic fields more readily than other shielding materials.

Oxygen-free copper is another popular conductor choice, but it does have one drawback: it can corrode over time, potentially altering the tone of your signal. That’s why many guitarists opt for solid core conductors instead.

Many high-end guitar cables are constructed with oxygen-free copper, as it’s an excellent conductor of music and resistant to corrosion. This allows them to last longer without tarnishing – an essential feature when exposed to extreme temperatures or heavy usage.

Planet Waves guitar cables are renowned for their low capacitance value that keeps your signal clear and crisp. Plus, these feature HelioFused soldering, making them extremely tough and durable – perfect for gigging musicians who will be moving around a lot. Available in various lengths with right-angle or straight jack options as well as silent connectors to simplify things for players who don’t worry about noise coming out of their amplifier output, Planet Waves makes excellent guitar cable options that won’t let you down.

Noise Reduction

Some cables offer noise reduction features to help eliminate sound when not playing. These may include buffers and noise gates, the latter of which helps maintain your guitar’s tone when run over long distances.

Selecting the ideal cable is essential for getting your tone exactly as desired. It’s wise to test different brands and types of cables before settling on one that best suits your setup.

Guitar cables typically alter the tone by altering their frequency response, making the sound sharper or cleaner depending on which material was used in their production.

Capacitance is another feature that can influence your guitar’s tone. High-capacitance cables tend to produce harsher tones, while low-capacitance ones offer a cleaner and more detailed audio.

You’ll be able to hear the difference in sound when performing live. This is especially noticeable when amps are set at higher volume levels on stage.

Mogami’s Platinum guitar/instrument cable has been engineered to give players a transparent, natural tone with remarkable detail and dynamics. It features gold-plated contacts on both ends for linking pedals, while carbon impregnated PVC acts as an anti static shield layer, eliminating handling noise.

This guitar cable is constructed with a special type of copper conductor that offers enhanced clarity in the mid range and can handle more power than typical cables. Furthermore, it’s rated to withstand more stress than regular guitar cables, which could extend your equipment’s lifespan.

Vox’s cables are known for making the most of their unique copper, and this one does not disappoint. The oxidation process used to create this copper improves conductivity, allowing your signal to move more freely.

This cable is extremely durable, making it ideal for guitarists who take their cables on the go. It’s tangle-resistant and available in various lengths. Furthermore, this product comes with a Lifetime Warranty to ensure maximum peace of mind.