Chienmortbb Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 As many of you know, I make cables for people on here. I am considering making cables for stock but I would like to know what lengths of Instrument cables people prefer. I will still be making cables to order but it saves a lot of time and effort making two or more cables of a particular type. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 Always used to use 30' cables and now use 20' - 6m ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 (edited) I use two cables lengths that can be swapped out depending on venue size. 3m and 6m Hope this helps. Edited September 28 by spyder Wrong length 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 11 minutes ago, spyder said: I use two cables lengths that can be swapped out depending on venue size. 3m and 5m Hope this helps. Same here, wireless bass to pedalboard and cable back to amp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 (edited) It varies... It's one of the Coiled Curly Cables.. 🤣 3 'n 5 Sounds about right... Rt Angle one end, Straight the other is always handy... covers Body, Edge Boat Jack Strat, Recessed angle Ibanez SR.. Edited September 27 by PaulThePlug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Dragon Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 But I do still prefer a curly cable. The Vox ones are excellent VFM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 I go for 6metres. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin E Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 Can I add that I find a coloured cable, well anything other than black, is useful just to identify it on the floor from all the other stuff. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 (edited) 6m for me bass direct to amp 5-6m seems to be the optimum gigging length for me gives approx 3m on the ground with 1m up to amp head and 1m to bass, I also prefer a right angle jack one end with straight jack the other Edited September 28 by BassAdder60 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidens97 Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 20ft Ernie ball coily cable, have had it for years but is just used now as a backup for if my wireless ever goes down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted September 28 Author Share Posted September 28 Thanks guys, this is really useful. I usually make cables to order but the last two orders, I decided to make some cables for stock/sale. I made the following: 5m (approx 16.4 feet) right angled connector on one end, straight on the other. SOLD 4m (approx 13 feet) right angled connector on one end, straight on the other. SOLD 5m (approx 16.4 feet) straight connector on both ends. Unsold 4m (approx 13 feet) straight connector on both ends. Unsold 5m (approx 16.4 feet) right angled SILENT connector on one end, straight on the other. SOLD So clearly bassists want one right angled and one straight plug. Of course Strats need straight connector at the guitar end as do some later Fender Aerodyne Jazz and Ibanez basses. Anyway with your input and the evidence of sales, it looks like 3 and 5 metre cables with one right angle and one straight connector will be the stock sizes with the occasional 6 metres. Thanks to all that have contributed and anyone that wants to add anything is welcome to until the 5th Oct. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 I agree, 3m,5m and 6m with angled at one end. 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 Good call, angled jack at one end definitely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonK Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 Question is does the angled jack go into the bass or the pedal board... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 33 minutes ago, SimonK said: Question is does the angled jack go into the bass or the pedal board... Whichever you like, but for longevity of your cable, I'd recommend whatever puts less strain on it. On a front or traditionally side mounted jack, I'd go for right angled on the bass. On my Dingwall or on a strat/angled Ibanez, I'd go straight. I prefer having a cable with both so I can swap it round based on my choice of instrument. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkMohawk Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 Angled for bass, straight for board/amp. In terms of length, I prefer longer cables, but at a certain point, it's just time for a wireless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 Wireless to multieffects/pedalboard, then 3m or 5/6m lead to amp. Only use right-angle jacks if it's a pedal board that I'm keeping the internals as slim as possible. Don't use right-angle jacks into amps or basses (I have some with recessed jacks and a one-lead-fits-all policy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 Angled into bass makes sense but looks all wrong to me, unless the jack is on the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 (edited) On 27/09/2024 at 13:46, spyder said: I use two cables lengths that can be swapped out depending on venue size. 3m and 6m Hope this helps. Same for me, 3 meters for home use is quite obvious. Angled for side mounted jack, otherwise straight ones all the time. Edited September 29 by Hellzero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JottoSW1 Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 20 hours ago, Martin E said: Can I add that I find a coloured cable, well anything other than black, is useful just to identify it on the floor from all the other stuff. I have purple ones. Also means no one can nick them too easily 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted September 29 Author Share Posted September 29 On 28/09/2024 at 14:23, Martin E said: Can I add that I find a coloured cable, well anything other than black, is useful just to identify it on the floor from all the other stuff. I only stock black at the moment but can put coloured heatshink on either end. Is that OK or must you have coloured cable? If so what colour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkMohawk Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 I prefer black cable with coloured heatshrink, or you could even do the techflex stuff, that keeps it pretty subtle but gives it a clear identifying mark as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted September 29 Author Share Posted September 29 16 hours ago, PinkMohawk said: Angled for bass, straight for board/amp. In terms of length, I prefer longer cables, but at a certain point, it's just time for a wireless. I tend to think that up to 5m, a good general purpose cable such as Sommer Tricone* or Van Damme XKE is fine. Over 5M I would go for Sommer Spirit LLX as the low loss characteristics work better for longer cables. I would be happy to go up to 10 metres for an instrument cable (passive) or 15m for an active bass. I use Sommer cables as they are as good or better than the competition and they are easier to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted September 29 Author Share Posted September 29 (edited) 7 minutes ago, PinkMohawk said: I prefer black cable with coloured heatshrink, or you could even do the techflex stuff, that keeps it pretty subtle but gives it a clear identifying mark as well. Techflex adds to the weight and also makes the cable less flexible and more difficult to wind. It would also add to the cost. This does raise another question. How many people have had a cable fail through damage or breakage? Some of the early Van Damme cables were very prone to breakage close to the plug. As yet I have never had a cable break using Sommer Cable and Neutrik Connectors but there will always be a first time. Edited September 29 by Chienmortbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkMohawk Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 4 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said: Techflex adds to the weight and also makes the cable less flexible and more difficult to wind. It would also add to the cost. This does raise another question. How many people have had a cable fail through damage or breakage? Some of the early Van Damme cables were very prone to breakage close to the plug. As yet I have never had a cable break using Sommer Cable and Neutrik Connectors but there will always be a first time. True, but I'm looming 5 cables together into one, so it was never going to be too flexible for me anyway haha. I've had cheap cables fail through general wear and tear, bad solder joints, etc. but never anything high quality or that I made myself. Good heatshrink works well as strain relief, and I've never had issues with any cable like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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