In your guitar journey, you will come to a point when you have to handle a stage performance that will require you to connect your guitar with the amplifier. While the quality of your guitar is important, you'll need even more to have the best guitar cable to deliver the clarity you desire.
This post is a review of the top seven guitar cables on the market and the things to keep in mind when making your choice.
Without further ado, let's begin!
Contents
1. Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cable
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Top on the list is the Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cable which features an ultra-high density spiral shield that works in combination with a conductive polymer sub shield for noise reduction and signal enhancement. It's the best guitar cable you can go with, thanks to the PVC layer, which ensures you won't get any microphonic pop as you use it.
It comes with a copper core conductor, which is a bit heavy but still easy to handle and store. If you are a musician with a few gigs coming up, you might want to go with the Gold Series Silent, an upgrade that uses Neutrik plugs that are silent. This will allow you to change up the instrument without the need to switch off the amp.
With a "no excuses" lifetime warranty, you can trust that this Mogami Gold series cable is built to last as long as possible. However, even when it malfunctions, Mogami has your back and will resolve your issue promptly.
Pros
Cons
2. D'Addario Planet Waves American Stage Cable
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Second on our list of the best guitar cables is the D'Addario Planet Waves American Stage cable, which comes with 22 gauge oxygen-free copper conductors twisted in pairs. The copper braid shielding is tinned for maximum durability, and the patented Geo-Tip plugs are designed for versatility.
Whether you need straight to right angle or straight to straight tips, this instrument cable will come in whichever form is ideal for you. Plus, with a cable length ranging between 10 and 30 feet, you will definitely find the most suitable length for your stage or studio.
Pros
Cons
3. George L'S 155 Guage Cable
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Next, we have the 155 Guage Cable by George L, which is among the most reliable cables for producing high clarity sound. These thin instrument cables come in a solderless connector design that allows you to build the guitar cable yourself.
This cable is also known for having one of the lowest capacitances you can get from a guitar cable. The thin cable size doesn't make this unit weak. On the contrary, this George L instrument cable is one of the most durable options but is also quite stiff.
This cable is available in different lengths and ranges anywhere between 10 and 20 feet.
Pros
Cons
4. Ernie Ball Braided Guitar Cable
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We can't talk about the best guitar cables without mentioning the Ernie Ball Braided Guitar cable. This instrument cable comes with a braided jacket exterior, dual conductors, and an oxygen-free copper core. You can get a straight to straight or straight to right angle connection when you choose this option.
If you'd prefer to stuff your cable straight into the bag instead of coiling it, then this Ernie Ball option is ideal for you. It is robust and tangle-resistant, making it a great option for musicians who perform on the road.
The dual conductors inside each cable will deliver clear and detailed sounds without noise and signal loss.
Pros
Cons
5. GLS Audio Tweed Guitar Cable
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If you are looking for a guitar cable that you can use daily without compromising durability while being flexible enough for you to move around the stage, the GLS Audio Tweed instrument cable is what you need. It has a nice classic feel, and you can easily coil it without weakening its durable state.
The sound output of this cable is great, and it's protected by an oxygen-free copper insulated shield and a conductive PVC plastic and carbon shield. It features relatively low capacitance and comes in lengths of between 6 and 20 feet.
You could get either straight to straight or straight to right angle setups at no additional cost. Plus, it works quietly without any hindrance to the high-end notes while being one of the least expensive cables on the market.
Pros
Cons
6. Fender Deluxe Series Instrument Cable
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Next, we have the Fender Deluxe Series Instrument Cable, which is a premium quality guitar cable that comes with 24K gold plated connectors and oxygen-free braided copper shielding. It also comes with molded plugs with strain relief, a hook=and-loop cable tie, and a tweed outer jacket.
The reason it's among the best guitar cables is the lifetime warranty, exquisite build, and high performance. This instrument cable provides a means for getting exact value for your money. You won't have any connection issues thanks to the custom-molded plugs, which have integrated strain relief.
The braided shielding enhances the output of this cable by facilitating a maximum reduction of ambient noise. This cable is a great option for those who make music on the road and can produce bright and clear sounds that are as close to reality as possible.
Pros
Cons
7. SpectraFlex Original Series Instrument Cable
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Finally, the last option on our list of the best guitar cables is the SpectraFlex Original series guitar cable which comes with a load of Neutrik plugs which provide multiple options. The braided nylon finishes are available in different colors and give you some creative freedom.
You can get this instrument cable in different lengths of up to 50 feet which is more than you'll need to move around while playing on stage. With a transparent sound and a great feel, this hard-wearing cable is one of the most durable options you can go with.
Additionally, you can expect minimal microphonic interference when using this cable since it uses conductive PVC shield coverage. As a result, it's a quiet option that provides a transparent tone.
Pros
Cons
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Guitar Cables
There are several essentials to keep in mind in your search for high-quality cables. Let's look at them in detail below.
1. Cable Length
The length of cable you require should be the first consideration when looking for the best guitar cable. The longer the instrument cable gets, the noisier it'll get. This is because the amount of noise increases with length.
That is why the maximum ideal length for instrument cables is about 25 feet. If the cable exceeds this length, the sound quality won't be as clear as you'd want. Professionals recommend going with the shortest cable possible to produce the cleanest sound.
Nevertheless, if you'd prefer a long cable to ensure maximum freedom of movement on the stage, you should go with the high-end options since they use premium quality materials that allow for a quieter signal.
2. Conductor Material
The models in this review use a copper conductor. However, you can still choose between an oxygen-free or linear-crystal copper conductor.
These materials are more suitable than typical copper because they have better conductivity and produce a clearer signal.
Before you settle on a particular cable, you should check out the materials used for conducting the signal.
3. Design of the Conductor
There are two primary designs that guitar cables feature; solid conductors and stranded conductors. The solid options are easier to solder and break because they are much cheaper. On the other hand, the stranded conductors are much stronger and flexible but come at a higher price.
The solid conductors are made of a sine sire, while the stranded types are made of multiple strands of thin copper threads twisted into a solid mass. The latter design is more common in premium instrument cables since it facilitates a better performance. Some manufacturers use tinned copper since it's more durable and easier to solder.
4. Connector Quality
Many guitar players think that gold-plated connectors are better than silver and nickel. However, gold functions better since it doesn't corrode easily, and it can last long without tarnishing. So, going with a 24K gold-plated connector isn't that much better than choosing a silver-plated model.
5. Shielding
Guitar cables, unlike microphone cables, don't have any balance or noise cancellation capabilities. As such, they are susceptible to interference from magnetic fields and radio frequencies. That is why the best guitar cables feature some type of shielding mechanism to block out the interference. A guitar cable can use any of the following;
- Braided Shielding
This is the most expensive but most effective shield since it can block electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.
- Serve Shielding
More affordable than braided shielding, this type of shielding is more flexible and yet functional.
- Foil Shielding
This is the cheapest and least effective shielding guitar cables can have.
6. Plug Joint
The most delicate part of the cable is the area where the cable meets the plug. This is the section that separates low-quality cables from premium ones. The best guitar cables feature better soldering and solder-less joints.
Strain relief is also a crucial factor because it prevents improper bending at the joints. When the joints keep bending, the longevity of the cable reduces. Unfortunately, this can't stop instant pulls, which means that the cable could eventually break.
If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can look for a cable with serviceability. This will allow you to repair the cable when the joint breaks. However, this requires some knowledge of where to cut and reattach which could be difficult for unskilled guitar players.
7. Shape and Type of Plug
Plugs are either straight or angled. The straight plugs are compatible with most guitars, pedals, and amps, but they can easily bend if they are hit accidentally. The angled ones have a more favorable position and are great for guitars that feature a top-mounted output.
Unfortunately, they don't work well with recessed outputs or obstructions since those will require a straight plug design. A combination of angled and straight plugs can give you more flexibility and since it'll allow you to connect with a pedal or amplifier without hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best guitar cable on the market?
The best guitar cable you can buy is the Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cable. This cable is an affordable model that offers exceptional performance.
2. Does guitar cable Quality Matter?
Yes, it does. The quality of the cable determines the clarity and frequency of the sound produced. A poor cable will have a lot of static sounds and low sound quality, while a premium one can facilitate a clean output without any interference.
3. What is the best length guitar cable?
According to experts, the shorter the length of the cable, the better the sound produced. Nevertheless, the ideal length for a guitar cable is about 25 feet.
