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As guitarists and bassists, most of our major purchases go towards amps, pedals and other gear, often overlooking what’s connecting it all together: cables.
Cheap and low-quality cables might get the basic job done, but can start to cause problems and wear down in the long run. Plugs often get bent, ends become loose, and wires inside start to either fray or drop the connection. Having to tighten the cable up or adjust it every time you play can get annoying, particularly if you’re performing, as having the sound cutting out in the middle of a song just isn’t an option. A reliable and durable cable should be an important part of your setup.
What Makes a Good Guitar Cable?
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best guitar cable for you.
Style: A cable with an angled 90º plug is a great attribute to go for if you’re worried about keeping your 1/4″ jack intact, or from popping out of the amp mid-performance. Similarly, a sealed-up tip, as opposed to the screw-on type, can provide a more solid and steadier feel, and take rougher treatment on the road. Having some textured crimping on the jack’s end can help secure it in place too when plugged in to a preamp, pedal or regular amp.
Material: Strength and durability matters for the body of the cable itself as well. A simple, flimsy plastic or rubber casing can’t stand up to constant contorting, and will eventually tear open, exposing the wires inside. A cable with tough stitching acts as an outer shell or exoskeleton, and is the way to go if you know it’ll need to take a beating like getting shoved into the van nightly with other gear stacked on top of it (an easily untangle-able cable will save you headaches too).
Length: Length is something to keep in mind. While it doesn’t necessarily affect the sound quality as long as it’s a well-built cable, a too-short cord can be physically limiting, and tether you close to your amp. Get some extra slack, so you’ve got room to move around and get comfortable, especially on stage.
Components: What’s inside counts too. Oxygen-free copper is common, due to its slightly higher conductivity, durability, and resistance to shorting out. It’s also less likely to corrode, and offers some protection from interferences. With a cheaper cable, you’re more likely to get humming and buzzing, while a higher-end cable’s materials give more protection against unwanted signals and noises.
Sound: Finally, last but definitely not least, sound. It may be hard to notice on some of the more common cables, but different builds and brands bring out varying parts of the sound spectrum, some with a focus on mid-range, others on bass or high-end. The ideal one for you is what works best with the style you want to play, and the tone you ultimately want to replicate.
