Re: Making you own cables/patch cords?


<boardjunkie@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4e409455-15b0-402f-8fe4-e7012a3e3713@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Apr 10, 10:53 am, "Robert Machado" <robmach...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I am interested in learning how to make my own cords. 1/4" jacks on both
ends, some straight ends, some L-ends, from 40' to about 6".

My thought is that I'd like to buy some bulk wire and some connectors, but
I
have absolutely no idea where to start. I have very basic soldering
skills,
and if I had to venture a guess, I am probably thinking of about 300' of
cord total (that number is subject to change, pricing, and availability)
and
probbaly enough connectors to make about 15-20 cords.

Most of these cords will be static, meaning they won't get a lot of
gigging
use and will probably end up staying connected to my mixer, pedals, etc
until I die. I can get bargain basement 20' cords from MF for $10/each (as
a reference)

I have seen a few companies offer kits for cables, but I'm looking to make
more than those kits will provide, and I'm thinking that buying bulk may
be
more cost efficient.

Any suggestions on where to start? Recommendations for the novice are
appreciated.

Rob

----------------------------------------------------------------http://www.myspace.com/montereyguitarist

I don't do it anymore. Price the cable and then the S-Craft #280
ends....its not worth the time/trouble. You can buy them pre made
cheaper than you can build them. Unless you get the stuff at dealer
cost....but its still more spendy than it was 10 years back.

For durability there is no substitute for buying good switchcraft jacks,
good beldon cable and tailoring the lengths for your situation. I've done
that for years and it is time consuming but worth it.

More recently however I have been using lavacable. These are solderless,
not unlike George Ls setup. I have A/B'd my soldered cables and the lava
cable and the lava cables are better. Better in that they cut the noise
significantly, and I mean significantly. I read the blurb about these
before I bought them and thought, yeh right. But a good mate bought them
and gave me some he'd made so I invested. I don't know how they will endure
but mine sit in my pedal board and don't get much movement so they should be
good. I don't agree that buying the pre made ones are a good option. My
experience is that they don't last and they are noisy. Others will disagree
but don't be fooled by the self proclaimed experts here. I think that
probably for durability there is no substitute for switchcraft and the time
needed to solder them. BUT, as I said the lava cables do make a noticeable
difference to the noise level. This surprised me but I'm very happy with
them.

Now for guitar leads, make them yourself. Switchcraft jacks, good cable and
some shrink wrap stuff to give the ends a buffer against bending is the way
to go.

My opinion. I'm sure that some people won't agree. Particularly those that
see solutions in buying pre made cheap rubbish. False economy.


.

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