Patch Cable (not OT at all)

[nicksmurf111]

Ok so i'm aquiring more pedals and I was wondering what patch cable would give me the best bang for my buck.

I was searching ebay and was able to find a couple for good prices.  Are the cheep colored ones with molded right angle plugs any good?  or should I spend some more money on the ones with desolderable right angle plugs?  I have one cheep colored one currently and it seems to be sort of microphonic.  (not too worried cause my fuzz face has so much gain, as soon as I turn it on I can tap it and here it through my amp)

Also, what do they call those plugs that are all metal, so you can put stomp boxes right up against each other?  I want to get like 2 staight ones to link a couple boss pedals, and a couple longer cables to link to some larger homemade pedals on my stomp box.

[Mark Hammer]

As annoying as making your own with right-angle plugs can be sometimes, there are some benefits to them.

1) You can cut the cable to length so that it reaches where it needs to (e.g., around wah pedals), and so that it isn't longer than it needs to be.  

2) The orientation of each plug relative to the other can be arranged to minimize weird cable-twisting.

3) When you eventually stress-fracture the conductor, you get to re-use the plugs.

4) Right angle plugs have a shallower profile sometimes than molded right-angle plugs, allowing you to scrunch up your pedals closer to each other in some cases.

5) You get to pick your wire/cable quality (although at such short lengths, large variations in quality often don't have audible differences).

[nicksmurf111]

Thanks Mark, great idea.  I guess I would just have to find the parts.  I haven't soldered in my dorm room yet but my Resident Advisor says it won't set off the fire alarm if I have the window cracked.  He works on guitars sometimes.

I guess I'll look for parts some time.  Wonder if Small Bear has what I need.  I can order some transistors and stuff at the same time.  I'm tired of making fuzz boxes.

[smoguzbenjamin]

I made some back-to-back plugs a while ago. I just took 2 normal plugs, clipped em short and soldered them together. Then I made them look presentable by putting some shrink tube on the outside and shrunk it down. Looks great, there'll be an article on that on my site next weekend or so.

[Mark Hammer]

I'll put in a "plug" ( :roll: ) for those no-cable, solid parallel-plug things too.  If you are one of those folks with a nuthin-but-BOSS/DOD pedal board, those little solid things are actually pretty good, and virtually indestructible.

[Fret Wire]

Right now, Musician's Friend has the George L kit on sale for $39.99. 5' of cable and 10 right angle plugs. You can make 5- 6" cables and have a spare set of wire when you need it.

[nicksmurf111]

If I get the parts I could probably do it for $10 easily.  And I don't think the George L kit is solderable...  not worth it.  I still have to redue a bunch of factory ends on my cables.  I actually have one new cable with a bad plug.

Thanks,
Nick

P.S.  Who makes straght/offset solid plugs?  How do I find those on musician's friend?  I really can't remember what they call them

[nicksmurf111]

I think i'm just going to get the cheepo molded 1' cables.  They can't be all that bad with my pedals on a pedalboard.  I could use the extra 20 dollars for a lot of other things.  Right angle switchcraft plugs do seem to cost a lot.

[Fret Wire]

Somebody has a cheap set of those on ebay right now. Either 3 or 5 solid plugs. Do a search and you should find them.

[Bill_F]

Has anybody heard of Venom brand cables. They sell patch cords that are called "Adder". Do you know if they are any good.

Bill

[nicksmurf111]

I just bought these, they seem good for the price and have reusable ends.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2373372138&category=47075&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

I still need to get a couple straight plugs.  Sorry Bill I don't know if Adder are any good.  I'd try to stick to cables with standard solderable ends if I were you.  I've never seen Adder cables but I have seen some Venom products around.