The Steel Guitar Forum

Billy Webb wrote:What size GL cables do most steel players use? BILLY WEBB, thanks!!!

Billy, when the BL and George L's cable first became available back in the day, the small [.155] was the only size, so that's what I'm using. I think several players use the larger size [.225] now.

If I were to buy new stuff, I'd probably go with the larger cable for outside my racks as the small size sometimes doesn't want to lie flat on the floor.

Also, I've never encountered any problems with the original rt. angle plugs unless someone hangs a foot in them. That will kill any cable. I put a dab of nail polish where the end screws on and they don't loosen up. Using the colored plug covers, as in Niels' photo helps too.

I use them to wire all my racks too. Been using them since the 80's.

Really, they're not much more expensive than other comparable high quality soldered plug cables and less than some.

I play way more fiddle than I do steel, and use all George L's with my fiddle setup. They do brighten the tone a bit, which you don't need for fiddle, but I can easily compensate with my LR Baggs preamp. I'm convinced I get better clarity and a "smoother" tone with George L's. They make it easier for me to hear the fundamental note(s) I'm playing on a loud sound stage, therefore making it easier to intonate.

Note: you guys might want to do yourselves a favor, and give the fiddle player in your band a set of George L cables.

On steel the enhanced highs are a plus, and the difference (improvement) in tone and sustain above the 12th fret is remarkable, IMO. On a few of my cables that have seen heavy use, I've had to reinstall a phone plug 2, maybe 3 times total. But other than that, I've had no problems whatsoever. I only use the straight phone plugs, I use the .155 for fiddle and the .225 for steel.

I've found that generally, what works well for steel works equally well for electric fiddle, and George L cables are no exception. I have a high end acoustic amp, and any of my steel amps will outperform it hands down. I only keep it because it works so well for acoustic-electric guitar and mandolin.

As for the cost, I think they're well worth what they cost. Cables are a drop in the bucket in terms of the overall cost of a steel rig.

JMHO, of course. YMMV.

Thanks, Jerry & johnny,for the timely response, and information. Man, what an information supper highway, this forum is.!!!! BILLY WEBB

I just got my new George L cables today and tried them on my Mullen and through my Session 400.

I can tell you that the George L cables are the best. This is the first time I have ever bought them and they are awesome. The sound is so clear and I can hear the notes I pick.

After ordering my first Bill Lawrence Lxr16 pick-up and my George L cables, the sound is so awesome! I will never use a stock pick-up or stock cables ever again.

You just don't know the sounds you are missing if you don't have them as part of your equipment and this was my first time to have both of them.

I made my own for years, with the best cable I could find and high quality brass ends.. when it was time to replace , I bought Geo L.. small gauge, the old style right angles and straight ends..i take care of them .. NEVER had a failure in over 10 years.. When it's time, if ever, to replace I will probably go to the new style ends and thicker gauge..and get wild colors and contrasting ends.. just for fun..