Building your own cables

Gordon Black · Post by **Gordon Black** » 23 Jan 2001 10:59 am

I'd like to build my own guitar cables. Anyone got a good supplier for bulk cable and ends? Also, what gauge wire and insulation should I look for? Thanks in advance.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 23 Jan 2001 11:55 am

None better than George L's cable and ends. Available at all the steel shows and I sell it from home, mail order.

Bill

LARRY COLE · Post by **LARRY COLE** » 23 Jan 2001 5:34 pm

You can't beat Switchcraft 280 ends and good Belden or Canare or other premium cable. I can't remember the ever having a good quality cable go bad.

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LC. WILLIAMS U12, SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 23 Jan 2001 6:53 pm

Ouch, It sounds shocking!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Jan 2001 3:46 am

Go with George L's, you won't regret it. I'm an ex amp tech and I used to build my own cables, with Belden 8412 cable and Switchcraft plugs. They were good quality and lasted for a long time, but the George L's has superior frequency response and electrical characteristics. They are rugged, too - I've had to redo one end on one cable in about 15 years.

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 24 Jan 2001 6:41 am

>>>>You can't beat Switchcraft 280 ends and good Belden or Canare or other premium cable. I can't remember the ever having a good quality cable go bad.<<<<<

Good advice Larry! I use Canare DA202 digital audio cable for all cables that get movement (guitar,audio, PA etc.) and Belden 8451 010 foil shielded for permanent installs. Switchcraft 280 ends or Neutrik for TS HiZ connections and Switchcraft or Neutrik 3-pin Cannon style or TRS connectors for LowZ connects. I also have converted most of my speaker connects with Neutrik Speak-On connectors using 14ga. power cable for runs up to 30 ft.

Jim West

Gordon Black · Post by **Gordon Black** » 24 Jan 2001 9:15 am

Thanks guys. Do you have a favorite supplier for Geo.L, Belden and Switchcraft?

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 24 Jan 2001 1:30 pm

I'm using cables I made over 20 years ago. I bought a bulk quantity of Belden 8410 cable (they don't make it any more, darn it!!

) and Switchcraft 1/4" plugs (the big ol' lunkers). Them suckers just don't quit. The only thing I do is keep 'em real clean and store them with their natural coil. BTW: They don't cause any buzzin' or hummin'!

If and when they finally do crap out on me I may just have to try them George L's.

Jack: What is 8412 cable like? Is it anything like 8410? Is it still available?

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 24 Jan 2001 2:10 pm

If I need to make up mike cables or balanced
TRS cables I use the Belden cable with the Switchcraft ends. But if it's just 2 conductor hook-up I always use the George L stuff. The George L cables really do sound better. My $.02

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 24 Jan 2001 3:21 pm

Glenn, Belden 8412 is the two conductor + shield stuff. It has the braided nylon reinforcement, braided shield, rubber jacket and is a real PIA to prep for soldering, however it's strong enought to tie your trunk down and still work. A lot of Shure LO-Z mics used to ship with this cable.

Go for the George L stuff, I finally did and it's great, especially since you can make everything to just the right length.

Who's turn is it buy lunch?????

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bterry.home.netcom.com

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 24 Jan 2001 3:30 pm

Gordon--look in the forum links. Just about all of the accessory sellers sell the George L cable. Off the top of my head, Carter, Steel Guitar Nashville (Bobbe Seymour) Joe Wright, Jeff Newman. Cable by the foot, connectors per piece. The cable goes in one end of the connector, you tighten a screw, and you're done! Make yourself up a couple of 3 footers. Whatever you need. It couldn't be easier. And you end up with cables that were rated best by Guitar Player! No, I'm not touting. I'm just impressed that something so easy to DIY is also top of the line.
BTW--I've heard warning about the angled connector. Ask Steve Feldman what to do if a piece of cable breaks off inside.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Jan 2001 4:44 pm

Glen, I went back and looked at one of the old cables and it is 8410 not 8412. I guess I had a "senior moment" and forgot.

As good as the Belden cable is, I picked up some noticeable signal gain and some wider frequency response by going to the George L's cable.

Beside all the steel guitar shops, MARS music is also selling a limited selection of prepackaged George L cable/connectors.

FWIW, I've also got a Dean Markley acoustic guitar pickup and it has what appears to be the same cable/connector as the George L's.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 25 Jan 2001 6:39 am

Bill, Jack,

Thanks for your responses. Jack, I don't consider my day complete without a "senior moment". To me, they're like a mini-vacation.

Bill, since we're in the same neck o' the woods, are you getting the George L cables locally. I dunno, maybe we can get b0b to "spring" for lunch. What'ya think?

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 25 Jan 2001 7:21 am

Glenn,
I got George L cable and connectors at Mars Music. You gotta go over to the string counter and ask, they're not with the rest of the cable and connectors they sell.

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bterry.home.netcom.com

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 25 Jan 2001 8:49 am

Thanks Bill!

Mars Music is just down the street! Real convenient. I'll have to check 'em out.

E-mail me about lunch. Maybe next week.

I'm on my way out the door in a minute. The Kevin Fowler Band has a radio spot and gig in San Angelo later today and we're off to Lubbock after that. http://www.kevinfowler.com

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

LARRY COLE · Post by **LARRY COLE** » 25 Jan 2001 6:25 pm

Crown Magnetics had the Switchcraft 280s a while back for I think $1.40 each.

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LC. WILLIAMS U12, SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 26 Jan 2001 3:51 pm

>>>None better than George L's cable and ends. Available at all the steel shows and I sell it from home, mail order.

Bill<<<

I just went to George L's sight and priced their equipment and all I have to say is they are certainly on the high end when it comes to price. I pay $2.25 ea. for Switchcraft 280's with metal jacket as opposed to George L's at $4.75 ea. and I pay $.60/ft for Canare digital audio cable (in small lengths) compared to $.94/ft. for George L.

Is there something I don't know about George L other than convenience of assembly? The Switchcraft/Canare combo is about as good as it gets for my ears and those of others I know in the pro audio field. I can see where George L's products would be handy for making or repairing cables on the job but other than that I don't know.

Jim West

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 26 Jan 2001 10:42 pm

The George'Ls are more than worth the "Extra" price.

I never worry about them cables, They work !!