• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Pedal board cable

TheArchitect

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
Messages
497
What are you using to cable up your boards? The pedal that sits side by side are easy enough but when custom length cables are needed, what are you using to build them?
 

sonar

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
I've had really good results with Lava. Some have complained about putting together the connectors, With a dozen or so cables I had to re-do one, which is not bad. Look for coupon codes at any of the online bigs and wheel and deal a little to get the price down. $90 for a kit that makes 5 cables is pretty steep.

If you want to save some money and can solder, I'd consider buying some Mogami cable in bulk and quality plugs like Neutrik.
 

1fastdog

New member
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
683
Just a reminder, if you have a buffer in the pedalboard chain, the sturdiness of the cables will matter, the capacitance after the buffer will NOT matter.

I'm not one to go on the cheap with gear. Lava has gotten my business on Sommer and Vovox lead cables. I believe in good cabling as a guitarist and audio engineer.

Once again, after a buffer the HiZ loss issue is a moot point. One would avoid a buffer prior to a pedal based on a germanium chip as those perform much better being loaded at HiZ, after a buffer, they tend to sound flat and smeared touch sensitivity wise.

If you review your rig some choices might be a lot less critical. Let's face it, there's always somewhere where big money is better spent. When necessary? Drop the cash.
 

janalex

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2003
Messages
780
If you want the best connection and highest reliability then take the extra time to solder the cables. I soldered Evidence Audio Monorail to pancake connectors and I'm very happy with the final result. Some claim that the soldered connection impacts the tone but I have not done a side by side comparison.
 

1fastdog

New member
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
683
If you want the best connection and highest reliability then take the extra time to solder the cables. I soldered Evidence Audio Monorail to pancake connectors and I'm very happy with the final result. Some claim that the soldered connection impacts the tone but I have not done a side by side comparison.

As long as the solder isn't junk meant for plumbing or non-electronic application, it's not an issue.

I, myself, am not that confident in non-solder connections which will be confronted with lots of stress. Many connections, by their physical nature, depend on "skin effect" to function. < Anything that's not "hard wired" depends on skin effect. For example, any phone jack male to female connection. >
 

J T

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
Mogami and switchcraft

Solder them yourself and make them any length you want.
 

Neodustin

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
11
Tried both George L's and Planet Waves solderless cables and ended up returning the PW. George L's FTW.
 

jamisonlps

New member
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
1,608
I'm using Bill Lawrance connectors w/Evidence Audio Monorail cable. The BL connectors are solid and are the smallest most affordable solderless plugs on the market. These have been around at least as long as the GL stuff. And considering GL and BL used to work together, the BL could be the original solderless plug. $4.40/EA

http://wildepickups.com/Cable_and_Plugs.html

Evidence Audio Monorail cable is the same 20awg solid copper conductor as used in the EA Melody cable just with different coverings. This cables sounds really good and will be an upgrade over most stranded cable. It happens to fit the BL connectors perfect and is an even better fit than the BL cable itself IMO, a little larger diameter and a tighter fit. Just have to practice on making the connection with the single solid center conductor. $2.15/FT

http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=CA-0529&Category_Code=
 

oldflame

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2004
Messages
1,142
I use George L's soldered to Neutrik plugs. Does the job at a good price.
 

GTO

New member
Joined
Sep 22, 2002
Messages
21
I use RG58 cable, yes the network coax....
very good in sound, thin and easy to use....
 

jamisonlps

New member
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
1,608
I'm currently testing the Lava mini Soar (similar to EA Monorail) with the BL solderless plugs...will report back.

As far as soldered vs. solderless connections, being an engineer I have a different trian of thought on this. Reliability wise, sure nothing beats soldered connections, but some of the current solderless plugs are pretty darn tough; so for me it's not an issue when used in pedalboard patch cable (i.e. stationary) applications.

As for signal transfer, EA Monorail and Lava mini-Soar are single, solid conductor cable, not stranded...so as long as there is good contact between the conductor and tip of the plug you should be good to go. With stranded you want solder to cover the connection so that every strand is melded with the plug tip. With a solid conductor, all of the signal is there on that one wire. With the BL solderless plugs, the needle is pushed into the center making a pretty tight mating with the center conductor. It's somewhat of a trade off I guess, one benefit also is that you have one less metal in the signal path, no solder. So that has to count for something.

Just my point of view.
 
Top