How do you store/transport your cables/leads?

[Mornats]

I have guitar leads, mic leads and headphones hanging around in a pile underneath my midi keyboard. They look like they're involved in some mass mating ritual and are all wrapped around each other. It's no better when I take more than one cable out to a gig or practice.

Anyone have any tips on both storing half a dozen cables and transporting a few without them getting deeply involved with each other? I had a look on Thomann for cable bags but such a thing does seem to exist.

[essexbasscat]

Been thinking around this one myself.

For the smaller gigs with not a huge amount of cables, I use cable ties to keep each cable seperate and a rucksack to haul them around. The extra rucksack pockets are handy for various connectors etc. If you get the larger rucksack, there will be enough space for mics in boxes

For the slightly larger gigs, a Stanley mobile work centre has two compartments to seperate 240v power leads from other stuff. XLR cables can go around a drum, such as a small garden hose reel. This solution keeps things relatively seperate without the hassle of carrying around too many boxes, which take up space in the car

[Oopsdabassist]

Hand coil every lead about a foot in diameter and use velcro ties like these. I store about 5 leads, mic, instrument, and power in the same bag and they never get tangled.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisual-Chunky-Reuseable-Hook-Cable-black/dp/B001RPWPQE/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426413957&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=vrlcto+cable+tie

[Lozz196]

For practices I take just the leads I`ll need in a holdall. For gigs they, and my spare leads, go in a Boschma molded case, along with my tuner, DI pedal, spare strings, gtr stand and tools.

And my amp goes in a smaller one of the same.

Edited March 15, 2015 by Lozz196

[Mornats]

I'd have thought someone would have come up with a multi-compartment shoulder bag or rucksack with those cable ties built in. THAT would be handy!

I've just ordered some XXL cable ties: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisual-Chunky-Reuseable-Hook-Cable/dp/B0052DMFP8/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt (and also a slimport adapter to connect my tablet to my TV and a book on landscape photography - damn you Amazon!)

[JakeBrownBass]

Never seen the point of specific cable ties, they're over priced and easy to loose.

Electrical tape is the industry standard. Cheap as chips too.

[Mornats]

Bit of a pain to unstick the tape each time though I'd have thought? Does it leave any residue?

[EBS_freak]

Nup and Nup. Leccy tape is easy

[lowlandtrees]

Was thinking of this post myself .....at home I use freezer bags for my cables and stuff...was thinking of using this idea for the music stuff

[Oopsdabassist]

Having used leccy tape for more years than I care to remember, yes it leaves a sticky mess and is a bugger. The velcro ties attach to the cable so no, you don't lose em, at least I haven't lost any yet..Ok I broke one, but it WAS one of the first I bought.

[njr911]

Velcro ties in a Sainsburys bag for life

[brensabre79]

http://www.theblackandblue.com/2011/06/20/wrap-cable-over-under/

[Mornats]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1426775721' post='2721812']
[url="http://www.theblackandblue.com/2011/06/20/wrap-cable-over-under/"]http://www.theblacka...ble-over-under/[/url]
[/quote]

Often overlooked but should be standard practice for anyone using cables!

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1426795371' post='2722138']


Often overlooked but should be standard practice for anyone using cables!
[/quote]

Yep, over-under coiling and Velcro cable ties. No tangles on my watch!

[dmccombe7]

few of mine have velcro ties attached when i bought them but use the wire tape you get for sealing poly bags. You also get a dispenser reel for garden use which you simply cut to length you need and then throw the whole lot into a rucksack. Larger gigs where i'm doing lights etc i use B&Q plastic boxes that stack but that's a different story

Dave

[SPHDS]

I used to coil them (rather unsuccessfully) but then took to halving them repeatedly (hold both ends together, thus half the length it was originally, bring loop up to ends (halved again).....and so on until about a foot long) then secure with velcro tie.
They are then stored in a suitably sized box/case (has got bigger over time......!)

[paul_5]

One long 'un gets files up in my bass case, t'other long 'un gets coiled up and put in my pedalboard. Spares get shoved in the pedalboard too.

I'm not too fastidious about leads, to be honest; if I breaks 'em I fixes 'em.

[louisthebass]

Mine travel in a laptop style bag I bought from John Lewis a few years ago. I'm another of the velcro tie users - keeps everything nice and tidy. If anyone's looking for a specific bag for their leads and whatnot, Gruvgear do one, but it ain't cheap....

[Drax]

Velcro ties, cut to size

http://www.mpdhookandloop.com/velcro-brand-cut-to-size-ties-5m-x-10mm-roll-black/?gclid=CN-XjPP05MQCFa7JtAodsxgA6A

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1426349892' post='2717227']
I have guitar leads, mic leads and headphones hanging around in a pile underneath my midi keyboard. They look like they're involved in some mass mating ritual and are all wrapped around each other. It's no better when I take more than one cable out to a gig or practice.

Anyone have any tips on both storing half a dozen cables and transporting a few without them getting deeply involved with each other? I had a look on Thomann for cable bags but such a thing does seem to exist.
[/quote]

D'Addario cable ties - http://www.daddario.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=25&sid=f481b79b-4fb4-4127-8c38-a0986f6a7789

Then just throw them into a box. They shouldn't get tangled

[Mornats]

I went for some velcro cable ties in the end. I didn't fancy having to go through disposable tape all the time (think of the environment!) and they work a treat. Got some cables hanging from my keyboard stand which makes them easily accessible and nice and neat.

I'd have thought someone would have come up with with a multi-divider cable bag by now though. Think laptop bag type thing with 5-6 compartments (similar to the sleeve bit you'd put your laptop into) with a velcro strap at the top of each divider for keeping the cable together.

[xgsjx]

I've got a large laptop carry bag that has 3 compartments on the main body & a further 2 on the lid. I think it was designed for carrying 2-3 laptops.
You'd be surprised at what's in it. Not just all my cables, but spare strings & parts, tools for instruments, a set of wireless headphones with the transmitter and 2 microphones.

[stoo]

I use velcro type wraps, but ones like these - [url="http://www.hookandloop-direct.co.uk/hook-loop-cable-ties-strapping/fastna-cable-ties"](link in case pic doesn't work[/url]) as they stay attached to one end of the cable and so saves ferreting around in the gig bag for loose ties or tape.

[Matt P]

I use the cut to size Velcro tape, permanently attached with a jeans-type rivet, when I'm off to a gig they go into a laptop bag with my amp, at home I have a few long hooks to store cables on and one for straps. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/130467005692?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/130467005692?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0[/url]

Matt

[ratman]

I've been using re-useable cable ties for years. I love 'em.

Look after your leads & cables and they'll last a lot longer.