The Steel Guitar Forum

I was wondering which brand/brands of guitar cords you all feel are the best and why.
Thanks

check out the archives, by doing a search here or in electronics. Tons of good info.

The short answer? George L's is highly recommended by many. Click the Links above.

Ron

Is there really that much difference in cords? I'm using peavy, and I have no problems at all with hummin, buzzin etc?
just curious, what makes the George L or other cords better?

George L cords require no soldering to install jack plugs. Easy to get the exact length of cord you need. And they don't seem to loose that top end of the frequenvy spectrum that other cords have a tendency to do after playing for a while.

Bengt Erlandsen

..<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Keith Murrow on 26 October 2004 at 04:17 PM.]</p></FONT>

The George L cable may be quite good for the frequency response. I do prefer solder-type connectors, though.

Friction-fit connectors do need to be re-done at some point. A decent solder connection should last for twenty years (just like in our 40 year old guitars!).

Moved to 'Electronics'.

When using the solderless type cords, every now and then you should remove the plugs, cut off a small bit from the ends of the cables, and reinstall the plugs. This keeps all the connections nice and tight.

If you have some of the old brass plugs, you should also polish them with fine steel wool. I just did that this past weekend and was suprised at how much the "fidelity" of sound was improved.

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Josh, the cable will make a difference on the highs if you're using a pot-pedal, especially if you're using humbucking pickups! Of course, when using an amplified pot-pedal (like the Hilton), or a "Steel Driver" preamp, the effect is much less noticeable. <u>All</u> coax cable has an amount of capacitance-per-foot, and that capacitance acts just like the capacitor in a tone control circuit, reducing the amount of highs that reach the amp. The more cable, the more loss.

To minimize problems in this respect, just use a good cable, and keep the cables as short as possible. The George-L's are a little pricey, but still a good choice.

Good cables will have a low (but usually unpublished) capacitance-per-foot.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 03 May 2004 at 02:08 PM.]</p></FONT>

George L's cables won the Best cable a few years back in a Guitar Player contest...Everyone sent a 20' cable in and they did tests. For sound clarity they won hands down.

To redo a "Friction-fit" connection takes about 30 seconds a cable. A solder connection can go bad as well and we all know how fun solder is.

The only drawback Guitar Player had was that if you dropped a cymbal on the cable it would easily cut. Of course then they tell you to get two new ends and make two cables out of it. ..later...joe

i listened up on this matter a while back and got George L's
there is a diff and they are a breeze to put together
c'est TOOT !

How do the George L cables compare to the older Blue Belden cable, which I have been using for years ??

Get some George L cables and you will never be sorry!

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I would almost give anything to play just a little like John Hughey !

Who needs a drummer anyway.

Paddy,

You will hear a noticably better high frequency response with the George L cables than with the blue Belden cables. It's been explained to me that this is because the larger-diameter Belden cable, although extremely durable, has a higher capacitance factor and is therefore more prone to cancel some of the high frequencies in high-impedence applications, especially on cable runs exceeding a total of 20' or so. I have A/B'd the George L cables with my ordinary large-diameter cables and I can assure you that the George L's give a better tone, even on electric bass. When I eventually purchase new cables, I plan to switch to George L's.

Tim Rowley

Another option is the new Lawrence cables:
http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Connector_Cable.htm

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George L's sound nice & clean, and you can carry a lot more of them with you when storage space is an issue.

Ok, the big question. How much are the George L cords? and where can I order one?
thanks
Terry

Hi Tim, thanks for your comparison notes, I might have to give them a try - my old Belden cables are looking a bit past their "use by" date although they have been very durable.

How about rack patch cables - will they do the job there as well, or are the standard pre-made patch cables ok ??
Appreciate your input.

yep, GeorgeL's are GREAT for rack patches
especially w: the right angle jacks

Thanks Mr Bear, I will have to get some in and try them out.