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Topic: Goerge L cables |
Robert Thomas
From:
Mehama, Oregon, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 6:20 am |
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Would welcome your opinion and thoughts.
A couple years ago, at least, I switched all of my cables to George L's. I cut each one to my preferred length and find I had what I felt was a better sound. Anyway my qestion is, since my speakers are separate from my amp head I also used Geoger L's for that hookup. I mentioned this to a supposed expert and he told me I shouldn't do that since there will be a resistance problem. Now I have not experienced any problems, but I certainly don't want any either, what is the real answer? |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 6:35 am
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As a rule, you should not use shielded cable for speaker cable. As far as I'm aware, George L only sells shielded, low capacitance INSTRUMENT cables. Is that what you're doing? If you don't HEAR a problem you don't HAVE a problem. The cables you use will not generally cause any cumulative problems over time. Even if you're using shielded (Geo L) cable as speaker cable, a relatively short length may not cause problems.
I use 10-15' of George L cable to connect my preamp/fx to my combo amps and did the same when I used a rack system. Sounds great -- no loss of highs or 60 cycle problems.
I'll reiterate: speaker cables should be unshielded and they are less prone to problems of length that the instrument cables present. If you go to a music store, just ask for SPEAKER CABLE (different from INSTRUMENT CABLE).
Hope this helps.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 09 October 2003 at 07:41 AM.] |
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John Hawkins
From:
Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston * R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 6:42 am
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Robert,
I would suggest you use an amp- to -seperate speaker /s cord that is about a 12 ga. regular two wire insulated lamp cord or buy a regular insulated cord specifically designed as speaker cord that is a 12 guage .
What you are using currently ( George L) will reduce signal. However , they are fine patch cord cables for any other hookup use in your system .( IE: Steel to volume pedal , volume pedal to amp , etc. )
Hope this helps .
John |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 7:41 am
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| The dielectric in a gutiar cable will not handle the voltage of a power amp. I have seen amps termal and shut down when using guitar cables for speakers. 12 gauge is a bit hefty for speaker cables, awfully hard to work with. 16-18 awg can handle an instrument amp very well. I can see 12 gauge for long runs, where voltage drop is a consideration and/or we are using 1000 watt plus amps. Consider a 1000 watt amp at full power into a 4 ohm load, that's 63 volts and a current of 15.87 amps. 14 awg wire can handle 15 amps of house current at 120 VAC(1800 watts) and 12 gauge can handle 20 amps of house current at 120 VAC (2400 watts). |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 7:46 am
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Impedance of your speakers may be about 4 ohms.
Impedance of your pickup may be about 20000 ohms.
If impedance of your cable is 1 ohm, that would be insignificant compared to the pickup. But if you used it as speaker cable, it would waste 20% of your power, which would be turned into heat in the cable. I don't think the sound would be degraded, but it would be quieter.
A typical speaker wire might have impedance of .01 ohm but a shielded coaxial cable such as the George L might be much higher, so they don't make good speaker cables. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 9 Oct 2003 7:54 am
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| As the others have said...never use shielded cable for speakers! The center conductor of shielded cables is very small, and not designed to handle high power levels. Also, keep all cables as short as possible for best performance. Every wire has resistance (loss), and using more than you need just robs you of power and tone. Lamp cord (also known as "zip cord") is perfect for speaker wire, and it's a lot cheaper, too! Use 16 guage for short runs, and 14 guage for long runs (over 25'). Using 12 guage isn't necessary unless your run is 100' or more. [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 09 October 2003 at 08:59 AM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 1:45 am
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I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned that the inherant capacitance of the coax cable will alter the frequency response...
won't it ?
Baz |
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Bill Crook
From:
Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 3:16 am
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At the power being pushed thru it,I don't think freq responce is going to degrade much if signal cable was used.
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 3:21 am
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| You said you cut your cable into different, lengths. There was a thread on here a while back that cables should be cut in increments of 3 ft. Don't ask me why, just passing on something somebody posted that knows a lot more about it than me. |
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Wayne Carver
From:
Martinez, Georgia, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 4:25 am
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| I made some speaker cables out of Cat 5 cable. I untwisted all the pairs and retwisted all the solids together and all the striped wires together. I got the info. off the internet. I couldn't tell they worked any better than Zip cord. |
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Bill Crook
From:
Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 4:56 am
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| Quote: |
| that cables should be cut in increments of 3 ft. Don't ask me why, |
I think this applies to coaxial cable only. It should be cut in mutiples of the frequency desired. This is to insure that there is no "Standing Wave" reactance (read this as canceling out somewhat the fundemental frequency) thus lowering the output/receiveing abilities of receivers and transmitters.
To be trueful about guitar and speaker cords,I don't think the exact cutting of lenght of a cable would have any real canceling effect of the freq responce. One must take into consideration tho, long runs of signal/speaker wire will reduce the desired sound responces somewhat.
I have found that 14 gauge STRANDED copper wire is best for all speaker applications. I have seen cases where 10 gauge solid "ROMAX" wire has been used for permanate instilations,but I wouldn't use it for speaker cabs or short runs. I'ld stay with 14 guage copper strand wire.
Now the guitar cables (from guitar to amp) is another story. There are way too many different opinions here. Most,if not all cables is good stuff, just depends who is doing the preaching. Personally,I tend to go with the thin George L's stuff. If there is a drawback to it,it seems to want to curl up a bit somewhat.
As in all things with the Pedal Steel, this cable thing is as allways,a area that is opinated as the number of pickers.
Just my 2cents 
[This message was edited by Bill Crook on 10 October 2003 at 06:01 AM.] |
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Robert Thomas
From:
Mehama, Oregon, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2003 5:41 am
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| Thanks to everyone of you guys. You are an encyclopedia of knowledge, experience and advice. |
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