Guitar Leads... Simple Question

AlexC

How much do you have to spend on a decent 6ft or 10ft lead that won’t screw up after a year? I usually go for the £10 sort of figure, but they just don’t last. Brand recommendations welcome please.

Lestratcaster

If gigging and recording often buy the best you can afford. I use Mogami gold cable which costs a bit (£30+) but I've had them for almost a decade. Coil them up properly too and they'll pretty much last a lifetime! If they do break or anything Mogami will send a replacement as its covered under a lifetime guarantee!

Next step would probably be Fender/Planet Waves, I own a few PW cables for home use and they're pretty good.

markslade07

I got some made up by @robinbowes ...excellent cables, great price and pretty sure they last for years (as long as I don’t bash them around!). Fine chap to deal with too....

crunchman

If you can solder, then make them yourself.

Failing that, there are one or two people on here who make them, or Award-Session are good:

https://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.php

thegummy

I've used award session and they're good but I moved to designacable because they offer different colour options.

Both use the same Van Damme cable and Neutrik connectors which I've heard knowledgeable people on this forum say is a great combination.

So really it's the same cables from either, just different people soldering the ends on to the cables.

If you're happy with black cables, you'll see from the above link that it's barely much more than you're already paying and it's very high quality.

robinbowes

You don't need to spend a lot on leads, as long as they're well-constructed with good quality materials, ie. Neutrik jacks, Van Damme / Sommer cable.

I can make you one for less than £15 (on my phone now so no access to my quote spreadsheet). Many happy customers from these very forums.

R. 

HAL9000

thegummy said:

... I moved to designacable because they offer different colour options.

Both use the same Van Damme cable and Neutrik connectors which I've heard knowledgeable people on this forum say is a great combination.

^ This.

Moe_Zambeek

I have Cornish cables that were expensive, but are probably 15 years old and well gigged and still solid.

ICBM

My Horizon Vintage II cables are still fine after over 20 years, although I have finally replaced all the plugs with Neutriks after a few of the original Switchcrafts started getting a bit loose internally.

robinbowes

ICBM said:

My Horizon Vintage II cables are still fine after over 20 years, although I have finally replaced all the plugs with Neutriks after a few of the original Switchcrafts started getting a bit loose internally.

Kinda like Trigger's broom?

ICBM

robinbowes said:

Kinda like Trigger's broom?

Not at all, unless Trigger’s broom always had the same handle . I haven’t changed any of the cables, only the plugs.

merciful-evans

I used to have the same problem. Cheap leads are false economy. 

I have been using (4 out of 5) of the same gigging leads for 20 years now. I retired one last year and replaced it with a well shielded Orange one. Fender ones are very good now too.


In the studio I have been using Whirlwind Leaders for about 10 years. 

EricTheWeary

My Van Damme branded leads ( Neutrik plugs I think) have not failed in what must be close to 20 years. Probably not as heavy use as some others but probably not as well looked after either. Actually the patch cables have survived all sorts of gymnastics. 

Jeepers I should play the guitar more. 

stickyfiddle

Big fan of the Neutrik/Van Damme combo here.

I also have a couple of Whirlwind Leader cables that I'm fairly sure will outlast me - probably my longest-serving piece of gear and never needed fixing 

robinbowes

AlexC said:

How much do you have to spend on a decent 6ft or 10ft lead that won’t screw up after a year? I usually go for the £10 sort of figure, but they just don’t last. Brand recommendations welcome please.

6ft guitar lead, Neutrik jacks (straight), Van Damme XKE Instrument cable: £11.69
10ft guitar lead, Neutrik jacks (straight), Van Damme XKE Instrument cable: £13.11

Both plus postage.

R.

Sassafras

I've had a couple of Whirlwind cables for over 30 years.
I think the main thing with cables is to be careful with them. Don't tread on the plugs, don't be rough with them, don't pull on them, etc...

Musicwolf

crunchman said:

If you can solder, then make them yourself

And if you can’t, may I suggest that you consider learning how to.  There are plenty of online ‘how to’ vids, a temperature controlled iron isn’t that expensive and it really isn’t that difficult.

Use Neutrik connectors and decent quality cable (Van Damme, Sommer).  Lead containing solder is easier to work with than lead free but I don’t know how easy it is to buy these days (I’m working with my old stock).  Also learn how to coil leads (over / under method for longer leads) to avoid putting tight bends into cable.

merciful-evans

Musicwolf said:

Also learn how to coil leads (over / under method for longer leads) to avoid putting tight bends into cable.

Agreed.
Or you can loosely fold the cables instead to avoid inducing 'twist' as well. It works well.

ICBM

merciful-evans said:

Or you can loosely fold the cables instead to avoid inducing 'twist' as well. It works well.

Or you can fold them several times and then tie them in a large knot, like they do in the shop I work for.

And wonder why they constantly break...

Roland

Better quality leads do not just last longer, they don’t crackle when you move them.

Bellycaster

Fender Custom Shop 10ft Cable, Tweedy Iron Flex type.

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Fender-Custom-Shop-3m-Instrument-Cable-Tweed/JCD?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj9qd7d7u4gIVyqgYCh3TWgzqEAkYAyABEgIHBPD_BwE

Had mine 5 years, still good. I think the most important thing for cable longevity is coiling them correctly, putting a cable wrap around them and storing them correctly in your Gig Bag/Box whatever. Some people just scrunch them up any old how and wonder why they don't last.

Much better than the Fender Professional ones and only a £2-ish difference.