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Author Topic:  Another Question Concerning Instrument Cables
George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2016 10:26 am    
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Another quick question about cables. A young fellow just learning to play guitar had bought a partial spool of Mogami W2524. He knew I build all my own cables and asked me to build him a couple (Free of charge of course). He brought me the cable spool and connectors, told me the lengths and I made them up. A couple days later he called me and told me that when he said he wanted a 20 Foot cable, he was speaking wire length. I measured from Tip to Tip. When I see a cable in a music store or online say 20 Feet, how is it measured? Is there a standard? What do the Manu's use, actual cable length, or Tip To Tip?
Appreciated Shocked
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2016 10:49 am    
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The three inches mattered?
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2016 10:57 am    
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Apparently Lane. The kid was appreciative don't get me wrong. So he got me to thinking....ya know? To the purist I s'pose it would matter. Shoot...I eyeball it snip off a hunk and call it good. But really just curious. Whoa!
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George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2016 11:37 am    
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I just talked to my friends at "Stomping Ground Cables".
https://stompin-ground.com/

They told me they knew of no industry standard for length. They said every cable application is cut differently. And over priced fancy Metric cables like Monster cables you git shorted every time. For instance, if you order a Canare GS-6, 6" pedal board cable, they are cut at about 5 1/2" long. By the time you add the right angle plugs, and heat wrap, it's slightly over 6". They said if you order say 15 Feet of George L's cable, you git a full 15Ft. I guess....... Rolling Eyes
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Jeff Bollettino


From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2016 5:40 am    
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George, I'm in the cables business and there's no standard for this. And as Lane pointed out it would be a difference of a few inches for a cable of 240 inches, so about a 1% "error" on something that's awkward to measure accurately at this length.
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2016 6:01 am    
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It should be mentioned that 20' of cable (just about any cable) could have a noticeable effect on tone, unless some kind of buffering device is used. Of course, being a beginner, he probably won't notice! Oh Well

Lane Gray wrote:
The three inches mattered?


Oh boy, did you open the door with that one! Laughing
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George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2016 11:21 am    
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Thanks Jeff, you guys are making me feel better already. I'd never intentionally cheat anyone. I did it as a favor for the kids mother. Another freebie, I gotta stop doing those.

But I'm with you Donny, seriously I don't own a guitar cable that I regularly use that's over 10 Feet. I just don't need one any longer then that. I can't imagine being 20 feet away from my amp.
"I think I'll pack a lunch, put on the ole backpack hike over to my amp and touch up the treble settings a mite"........... Razz

Thanks Guys
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Rich Upright


From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2016 4:02 pm    
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I think that all the fuss over cables is just "hype". I have "A-B'ed" cables, from George L & other high-end "boutique" cables to El Cheapo guitar cables, all different lengths, & honestly cannot hear the difference. Neither can anyone I know, including my ex, who correctly identified what kind of steel someone was playing over the phone.

Actually, in a blindfold test, I doubt anyone could tell the difference.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
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George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2016 4:51 pm    
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Rich I think you're right. All these "Snap Together" cables and all that. Someone might say I've never had any trouble with this brand or that brand. Or Brand A is lower in capacitance and all that. shoot I've never had any trouble with any well built cable. I cain't tell no difference neither.

Your ex wife could really tell the difference twitched one steel and another over the phone? She was a keeper Rich. Shoot I was married 3 times none of'em liked music. I should have taken that farmer up on his offer to trade 2 good pack mules for my ex. The gal I've been with for almost 30 years now plays music. So I'm safe there...Nope I never did get remarried. Oh Well
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Rich Upright


From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2016 9:22 pm    
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"Your ex wife could really tell the difference twitched one steel and another over the phone?"

Yea; surprised the hell outta me, too. Was playing a gig at the Sunshine Opry about 15 or so years ago, & I was on guitar & Dan Whitakker (R.I.P.) was on steel. We were rehearsing that afternoon, and he was noodling around on his steel. I was on the cell phone talking to her (she was a big fan of PSG; that's how we met) & I said "check this guy out; pretty good player". I held the phone up to his amp & told him to burn a few licks. When I got back on the phone, first thing she said was "He's GOOD, but he should be playing an Emmons". I said "You could TELL?" She said; "yea; sounded kinda like a Mullen" It WAS a Mullen D-10; and we still joke about it to this day! (We are still best friends & live together).
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
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