Making my own guitar cables- advice

[Ben Steele]

Hi guys, newbie to SOS here! Name's Ben.

I need some advice: I want to cut and solder my own guitar cable because I gig a lot and also regularly need cables of varying length so I might as well buy a reel and some jack plug ends.

Can you suggest where is good to buy roll of cable, and what to look for etc? I read ultrapure oxygen-free copper is a decent cheap basis to work from though that's only after 10 minutes of Googling so that might just be a given.

Where is good to buy the cable from, and the jack ends too? I'll probably be needing cables of around 2-3m each so a 10m or 20m spool of cable would be good to start off with.

Have you got any advice for me?
Eagerly awaiting your reply
Thanks!

[Mike Stranks]

Studiospares or Canford would be good places to start...

Use Neutrik plugs and cable that is advertised as specifically designed for the purpose you require...

HTH

[Folderol]

Forget oxygen free - it's snake oil.
However, cable with a conductive plastic layer under the screen will eliminate microphonic 'scrunchies', and is well worth the extra cost.

[agent funk]

Studiospares sell it by the meter, you wont get a spool unless you buy 100m. I got the Sommer Spirit cable, seems perfect. Klotz is another brand they do, slightly stiffer.

I got my plugs from CPC, bit cheaper and it adds up when you buy a lot.

[Moroccomoose]

I found this video on making 'pro quality' cables for a fraction of the price.. some good tips on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smg68qgJa-I

[Gadget13769]

That's a good vid and would have helped me out with things I learnt the hard way.

Definitely use a vice / clamp / jig to hold the connector, as you can't balance connector, cable and solder unless you have three hands.

Do not dwell too long with the soldering iron. The plastic that holds the metal pins will melt quite quickly (as will cable sheathing). If a connection doesn't take properly for some reason, let it cool and try again.

[grab]

The "oxygen-free cable" thing is rubbish. There is no such thing as oxygen-free metal when it's living in the open air!

The most important thing with a guitar cable is robustness. So lots of thinner strands is good. Braided outer instead of lapped (spiral) is also worth having, although it's more expensive so it's your call.

Gold-plated jacks are worth having - minimises corrosion on that side. And the jacks *must* be all metal - the plastic-shelled ones aren't worth a fart in a high wind. Also make sure the jack has a good coily strain relief, and if it doesn't then get some heatshrink to strain-relieve the jack/cable bit.

Soldering jacks is a three-handed exercise. The smart way is to mount a socket onto something convenient and weighty - an offcut of plywood is nice - and plug the jack into that to keep it in place whilst you mess around with the cable and soldering iron.

Oh, and always tin the end of the cable before you solder it.