timmo Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Now that I have two pedals, if I want to connect them together, are the little cables that connect them special, or can I just use a guitar lead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Guitar leads work, but would get a bit messy. You can get shorter ones called Patch leads/cables. They are the same as normal guitar leads but shorter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 You can just use a normal guitar lead, though with pedal boards you'll usually use the shortest leads available to try and minimise the total length of cable run between your bass and the amp. Another thing to consider is that normal guitar leads with straight jacks will force you to have a huge space between your pedals. I personally like EBS patch cables, they've got very flat-headed right-angle connectors. S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) I do not recommend EBS (or the clones made by Warwick); I tested a whole bunch of patch cables in a simple true bypass looper into a headphone amp when trying to diagnose the cause of noise in my signal chain. All the EBS ones picked up a huge amount of hum (presumably from nearby sources of interference such as my PC or dimmer switch), whereas the other ones with proper shielded metal jacks were totally silent. I've mentioned this elsewhere only to have others say they've experienced no issues with theirs. Neither did I until I decided to test them as above, so I invite any other naysayers to do the same! Edited March 31, 2017 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westenra Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1490957734' post='3269368'] I do not recommend EBS (or the clones made by Warwick); I tested a whole bunch of patch cables in a simple true bypass looper into a headphone amp when trying to diagnose the cause of noise in my signal chain. All the EBS ones picked up a huge amount of hum (presumably from nearby sources of interference such as my PC or dimmer switch), whereas the other ones with proper shielded metal jacks were totally silent. I've mentioned this elsewhere only to have others say they've experienced no issues with theirs. Neither did I until I decided to test them as above, so I invite any other naysayers to do the same! [/quote] So what did you end up with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROConnell Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) I like the MXR angled patch cables as they're very low profile and allow you to fit pedals in close proximity with one another. Edited March 31, 2017 by ROConnell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 [quote name='Westenra' timestamp='1490960343' post='3269403'] So what did you end up with? [/quote] A mixture of George L's here and there (even though their reliability isn't great), and a bunch of these in varying lengths: https://www.thomann.de/gb/sommer_cable_spirit_xs_highflex_02.htm Not as compact or flexible as the EBS, but still fairly low profile and look like they'll last forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonteee Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) I use the Cordial ones, and have done for about 18 months without issue. They're on Thomann for not much, have good quality jacks on and use decent grade cable. Like this one - https://m.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cfi_06_rr.htm Edited March 31, 2017 by Tonteee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 Thanks for the replies. I will get me a patch lead. I asked as I have a spare guitar cable that I can use for the weekend now that I know it is ok. Good tip on the angled as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Or you can use a solid connector... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mooer-PCC-Column-Pedal-Connector-/131789397214 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-JACK-JACK-CONNECTOR-EFFECT-PEDAL-PATCH-CABLE-LEAD-/122389250706 just search for pedal connector.. Work really well if power is on the top of the pedal, can be a bit cramped if power on the side... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonteee Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 On solid connectors - I have had limited success with these. I feel you really need same brand pedals together for these to be effective. This also restricts the ways you can order the chain. The cammed ones do help, but not enough IMO. YMMV, natch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) Solid connectors can cause problems in the long run - most MXR-style Hammond enclosures are slightly trapezoidal, so especially if you have more than 2 in a row, you are putting a lot of strain on the jacks, which is especially bad if they are soldered to the PCB. Edited March 31, 2017 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratman Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 I've been using a lot of George Ls for a few years now with no reliability issues at all. But my pedals are always on boards so the connector cables aren't getting moved around, twisted or strained. For tight spaces & short connectors I also use these - https://www.fxpedal.co.uk/gyc-kinsman-slimline-0-15m-patch-cable-p306 I've had a couple fail over the years but they are so easy to open up and re solder. I've recently got some of these - https://www.thomann.de/gb/rockboard_flat_patch_cable_black_5_cm.htm?ref=search_prv_11 I have the 5, 10 & 20cm lengths and so far they seem to do the job just fine. They are very discreet and definitely save space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiophonic Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1490957734' post='3269368'] I do not recommend EBS (or the clones made by Warwick); I tested a whole bunch of patch cables in a simple true bypass looper into a headphone amp when trying to diagnose the cause of noise in my signal chain. All the EBS ones picked up a huge amount of hum (presumably from nearby sources of interference such as my PC or dimmer switch), whereas the other ones with proper shielded metal jacks were totally silent. I've mentioned this elsewhere only to have others say they've experienced no issues with theirs. Neither did I until I decided to test them as above, so I invite any other naysayers to do the same! [/quote] This has been my experience to. My pedal board is very cramped, so I currently have no choice, but as soon as I can afford a bigger board I'll be ditching the Warwick connectors. Not only do they seem noise prone, but the failure rate has been quite high too. Even cheapo Stagg ones with metal plugs seemed better shielded. MXR may be better I guess, but the Warwick ones were easier to get in the range of lengths I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedoghouse Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 I only use/d one or two pedals so space wasn't an issue on my board. I simpy made my own patch leads from VanDamme cable and angled Neutrik plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 I've had EBS cables on three boards, regularly changing pedals and have had no failures at all ymmv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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