Your choice of cables between your guitar, amp and pedals has a major effect on the tone. Therefore, investing in quality ones may pay dividends; cheap cables often introduce noise or break easily while more durable and long-term quality ones will sound better overall.
Purchase cables featuring superior connectors (Neutrik or similar), such as those manufactured from quality materials that feel premium when slotted in. Look for cables with strong Neutrik connectors which will stand up to everyday use and abuse. The ideal solutions will have satisfying clicks when slotted into place and should offer satisfactory durability over time.
Length
Live, guitar cables will likely endure intense wear. They’re likely to get thrown around, stepped on, yanked in and out of amps and pedals repeatedly – so their reliability must be impeccable; therefore it is key that you choose one with an exceptional build.
Guitar cables typically adhere to a universal design. Aside from an occasional bold hue, most tend to look very similar – as their primary purpose isn’t anything other than fulfilling its function effectively.
Coiled cables can be useful in certain circumstances but are usually not recommended to most players. When it comes to performance, coiled cables tend to have higher capacitance levels than straight ones and may reduce high-end treble frequencies significantly, potentially compromising tone quality by decreasing high end frequencies.
Guitarists usually find that cables of 10-20 feet will suffice for most gigs, providing one connection from their guitar to their pedals and another from those pedals to their amplifier. Most guitarists won’t require longer cables unless playing large stages where more may be necessary.
Longer cables – particularly 25ft or longer ones – can introduce significant noise into your signal, due to having to travel further and encounter greater capacitance on its journey towards your amp, potentially degrading tone quality significantly.
Note that although some cable manufacturers claim their cables are tailored for specific styles of music, this may just be marketing hype. What matters more than anything is that your cable reliably passes your guitar signal without diluting quality or completely shutting out.
Connectors
Connectors of cables experience the greatest stress; they’re subject to frequent plugging-and-unplugging, tugging, and can potentially become caught in things. So it’s essential that any cable you purchase contains high-quality connectors, such as Neutrik’s (which make this cable very affordable; although some customers have complained that their connectors may be plastic rather than metal). Neutrik makes some excellent plastic connectors which make up part of its affordable offering (but there have been reports about plastic being used instead). This Neutrik connector series uses these throughout this cable’s affordable pricing structure (although there have been reports about complaints about plastic instead of metal connectors being used throughout). This cable incorporates Neutrik’s top quality connectors throughout to make this cable so affordable; its use throughout also contributes greatly towards its attractive price point (although we have heard complaints regarding plastic rather than metal used).
An important component of an excellent guitar cable is a high-quality core. Copper makes an excellent choice, as it conducts electricity well while being fairly durable and resistant to rusting.
D’Addario offers a premium guitar cable without breaking the bank; their offering comes in multiple lengths to meet any need, as well as excellent build quality with thick insulation and durable outer PVC jacket that helps prevent tangling. Furthermore, its shielded construction reduces unwanted noise interference that often occurs with cheaper cables.
This cable utilizes professional-grade microphone jack connectors, setting it apart from its cheaper competition. They’re clean, quiet, and durable – designed to slot in at an angle if your guitar features one of these inputs on its bottom jack barrel – meaning less chances of accidentally snapping off the end or hitting and damaging its inner core core.
This cable provides low capacitance, helping to improve the clarity of your tone. As cable length increases, capacitance increases too and may result in the loss of high frequencies from your signal – this usually won’t be an issue if using shorter lengths, though longer ones should be kept in mind for amp or pedal runs that span multiple amplifiers or pedals. High quality cables often feature lower capacitance ratings – especially those from D’Addario which use gold-plated plugs which help lessen its effects further.
Shielding
Some cables advertise high-end loss reduction through shielding; this claim is simply marketing hype designed to convince you their cable is better. While shielding won’t fix your tone issues directly, it does reduce interference caused by close proximity of core and shield wires – particularly helpful with longer cable runs which may introduce significant capacitance which muddles the signal.
Cables may seem like an inexpensive accessory, but they can have a significant effect on the sound of your guitar. Remember that guitar signals are analog and could degrade over time due to poor build quality or shielding in their cable.
Good quality guitar cables should outlive their cheap, light-duty black cables that came with your instrument. A properly maintained cable should even take you throughout an entire touring career without issue!
Good quality cables should be constructed from thick gauge wire that has been braided to avoid unwanted tangling, have good strain relief plugs, and can withstand repeated stress or bends without becoming frayed or damaged. In addition, looking for one with plastic shielding over its conductors is also helpful as this will protect them from damage.
Once connected, it’s important to examine how the cable terminates. An ideal cable should have its shielded end facing towards your amp and all connectors clearly marked for guitar or pedals, so any noise picked up near its shielded end is dissipated into ground through your amplifier rather than reflecting back off to your instrument and mixing in with its signal.
Good quality cables will feature low capacitance. This can be tested using a multimeter while they’re being used, and will have an instantaneous effect on your guitar sound when switching over from higher capacitance ones.
Warranty
A great guitar cable should come with a comprehensive warranty, so if something happens while you are playing you don’t find yourself left unable to get a replacement or repair option. Most cable manufacturers provide some form of protection plan so you have peace of mind knowing your investment is protected.
Many cables feature special features to improve their sound. For instance, some have Oxygen Free Copper or Linear-Crystal Copper conductors which should provide purer signal transfer. Unfortunately, there has been much debate online as to whether these differences are actually audible.
Consider how the connectors are attached; some use solid copper contacts which are less costly and easier to solder, yet can sometimes break more easily than their stranded copper counterparts. Also essential is finding cables with sturdy jackets or wraps which prevent tripping over themselves and protect it against damage.
A woven exterior can add another level of protection and durability to a cable, helping avoid tangles while being more resistant to damage than its standard black jacket counterpart. Some models also come equipped with gold-plated plugs which offer greater durability over their standard nickel counterparts and will ensure a clearer connection. Finally, some cables feature protective coatings designed to shield them from accidental abrasions or chemical spills.
Vox ECB-30 cables offer excellent sound at a reasonable price, and their London designers have collaborated with Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and more to provide premium experiences. Low capacitance can help prevent the ‘tone suck’ effect caused by some coiled cables while Neutrik connectors are some of the most dependable in the industry making this an excellent option for musicians on a tight budget who still wish to maximize their tone through guitar cables.