Where to get shielded wire?

[Alex C]

Hi, I searched for this, but didn't find any matches, sorry if it's been asked before.  

In the past when building high-gain circuits and tube amps that needed shielded wire for the input, I didn't know what to use.  I found some at radio shack, but it was terrible quality, the insulation melted all over, the wires kept breaking, etc.  I ended up taking out the copper strands of shielding and wrapping that around a regular wire, then covering it up with electrical tape.  It works, but the problem is that this is bulky, and it looks pretty bad.  

Where can I get some quality shielded wire for use in high-gain circuits and in tube amps?  Thanks


Alex

[petemoore]

OFten have shielded cables, and one end is often pre prepared.
 Most all electronics warehouses have shielded wire.

[troubledtom]

i use coax
    try www.mouser.com or 1800 346 6873.
                   peace,
                       - tom

[Fret Wire]

http://www.hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=thispage&thispage=parts18.htm&ORDER_ID=381916869

[Gringo]

i use coax
try www.mouser.com or 1800 346 6873.
peace,
- tom

does any kind of coaxil wire work well for audio(50-75ohm), if you dont mind your cables to that thick?

i have alot of coax stting around, so that would be great.

edit: what about using it for guitar, i.e. for the fx loop, or so, where its stiffness won't be an issue?

[Arn C.]

I buy those rca ended cables that go between your cd player and stereo amp.  You can get real cheap ones that are quite long and they can be used in quite a few pedals.
Arn C.

[Peter Snowberg]

The coax called RG-174 works very well. It's small and flexible. You can't find it at Radio Shack unfortunately.

Be weary of using cheap patch cords for their wire. The shield is usually a joke. Better cords usually use much better wire, but these are all wires without real-world specs. The RG-174 is constant and great.

Take care,
-Peter

[smallbearelec]

I stock RG-174, $ .40 per foot. Cave is open again...

Regards
SD

[Gringo]

I meant tv or computer lan coaxil wire. Would it be right to use that for a guitar signal?

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Gringo, if you mean the blue cable running down the hallway connecting my computers, DONT DO IT because, the inner wire is solid & breaks when you flex it, plus it is extrememly microphonic (to the extent that I rolled some up, plugged it into an amp, and you can actually tap on it with your foot & hear it loud & clear! The only stuff I leave in dumpsters!

[Ansil]

Gringo, if you mean the blue cable running down the hallway connecting my computers, DONT DO IT because, the inner wire is solid & breaks when you flex it, plus it is extrememly microphonic (to the extent that I rolled some up, plugged it into an amp, and you can actually tap on it with your foot & hear it loud & clear! The only stuff I leave in dumpsters!

hmmm new percussion effect there paul?

[Gringo]

I'll give it a try just to see what happense, mine is not blue, it's black, i'll post the results

I love dumpsters too!!!

[Ansil]

this cable thing has made me think of a new idea for a drum type trigger..  hmmmmmm

[ExpAnonColin]

Would any of this work well for patch cables?  Any recommendations?

-Colin

[Peter Snowberg]

Would any of this work well for patch cables?  Any recommendations?

-Colin

Absolutely.

Either RG-58 or RG-59 will work fine for patch cables, but it's usually much less flexible and can be horribly microphonic. Avoid "foam core" insulation for best results. Don't use any wire with a solid center conductor for any cable that will see flexing. The solid center cable also has a tendency to break solder joints when you flex it.

RG-174 is physically smaller so it's not as tough, but on your pedalboard that won't make a difference. Another place that I feel RG-174 is a bonus is that the capacitance per foot is only 1/3 of RG-58 (cable TV wire) and less than 1/2 of RG-59 (10base2 ethernet). That preserves more high end clarity, but the difference is pretty small and may be totally inconsequential.

Take care,
-Peter

[ExpAnonColin]

Thanks pete.

I think I may go with this stuff.  Good to know that it works-but how does it compare to the big ones, like George L?  Sorry if I'm getting a little elementary for the post, but I've been looking for some decent patch cable for a while...

-Colin

[Ansil]

http://www.geocities.com/austenfantanio//pseudodrum.htm

based off of the thread above.    ps the data allocation transfer is out again.

[Peter Snowberg]

I've heard good things about the George L cable (never tried it myself), but I wouldn't ever use the solder-free plugs. I just can't see the logic in the plugs. Use some Switchcraft or Nutrik ends and you should have great patch cords.

Take care,
-Peter

[ExpAnonColin]

I've heard good things about the George L cable (never tried it myself), but I wouldn't ever use the solder-free plugs. I just can't see the logic in the plugs. Use some Switchcraft or Nutrik ends and you should have great patch cords.

Take care,
-Peter

Excellent.  Ordered 15ft of the stuff from smallbear-hope it works out!  Thanks for the suggestion.

If you're looking for Switchcraft ends for reaaaally cheap, this guy keeps selling rt angle 1/4" mono jacks, switchcraft, for 1.00 each.  Very good price and he's pretty consistant in relisting the auction.

-Colin

[Brett Clark]

I also thought that the solderless plugs didn't sound like a good idea. However, a very knowledgeable and experienced local luthier urged me to give them a try. I did - and they work great! I've been using George L's cables (with the solderless plugs) for a year now with no problems at all. They are also very popular with studio musicians here in Nashville, and I understand that Eric Johnson uses them.

Also, they are made about 10 miles from here, and the folks that work there are very friendly and have top-notch customer service!