The Steel Guitar Forum

so I made some cables. I like them a lot. however, when I made them I did it without reading the small print in the directions, and I tightened the little screw that holds the cable into the plug and also creates the ground connection down as tight as I could, instead of just a turn or two past where it hits the casing. I am concerned that I may have tightened it too tight and wondering if i should cut the cable down and re-do it. they seem to be working fine but i just want to be sure. i used a teeny tiny screwdriver and I am not super strong, but i don't want to have damaged the cable. any thoughts or experiences regarding this would be appreciated. thanks !

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Dale

The most that could happen is that is could develop a short. If it does, remove the plug, cut and inch off, and put the plug back on...

cool. thanks guys.

oh, btw who makes a decent cable tester ? should I go with the George L or something from musicians friend ? the Behringer got good reviews and is cheap.

I have the Behringer, Karen (against my better instincts---they are not an admirable corporation) and it works fine.

Karen the George L cable tester is really good - very basic but lets you know straight away that the cable is good or not !

Get an inexpensive multi-meter and you can check continuity on cable, ohms on a speaker & pickup, etc.

Just plug it into the amp and see if when you touch the other end it makes noise - then I am good to go - and I agree as long as it works use it.

I do not make things too complicated.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

What Joe said ........ The simplest and easiest way to test cables.

2nd best -with a simple meter.

3rd - with a cable tester .... In my opinion. The diameter of 1/4" Chinese made plugs vary. They're not all the same. So, some will show as defective in cable testers because they don't make good contact with the tester's contacts..

Bill L's are fine.

I have a Behringer cable tester. Its small enough to carry in my steel seat. It gets used in our band, for guitar cables, speaker cables and mic cables.

I have owned and used the Behringer Cable Tester for about 7 years...
...no operational problems, and it gets used on ALL sorts of cables... Very Happy!

HTH

+1 for Beringer tester with intermittent tester.

Karen,

The Behringer cable tester works fine.
Here is another option from Pyle that also works well.
http://www.parts-express.com/pyle-pct10 ... --248-4272
Scott

I've got one of those units like the referenced Pyle (many similar branded units) and can't make heads or tails of what is good or bad on a cord (and I'm an ex amp tech). It "collects dust", while I use the Behringer.

I keep it even simpler than that; just carry a wire cutter and a small flat-head screwdriver in your packaseat and if the cord goes bad, cut off the end you're worried about and reset the plug on the fresh cut. If that doesn't help, do the opposite end. If that still doesn't work, better have a spare cord in your seat anyway. Or, if you prefer preventive medicine, just cut and replace the end now and forget about it.