Making a wireless cable?

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 02:47:13 PM

I recently received a Samson wireless unit for Christmas. It works well so far, but the cord that came with it - the one that runs from the guitar to the transmitter pack - is a cheap piece of plastic crap. I'd like to make my own; however, I'm not really sure how to go about doing this. The cable is a 1/4 mono plug to a 1/8 stereo plug. Can someone help me figure out how to wire this up? I'm a bit of a newbie, so the more detail (and/or links to pics) the better. Can I use just regular instrument cable for this?

Thanks.

blooze_man · January 03, 2011, 03:29:12 PM

Is the old cable broken? You could cut it up and look inside

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 03:35:51 PM

it's not broken, and I hesitate to crack it open in case I screw up my cable and am left with nothing.

teletroy · January 03, 2011, 05:14:22 PM

Use an ohm meter and see what part of the stereo jack has continuity with the 1/4 jack, that's where I'd start.

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 05:48:29 PM

Yikes - now I have to buy an ohm meter...? Okay - since everyone is playing this close to the chest, I will PAY someone to make me such a cable. Please contact me with your price.

teletroy · January 03, 2011, 06:07:05 PM

I'd tell you how to make a cable, but I've never seen your wireless unit before.

But you can make a continuity tester with a battery, a resistor and an led. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_circuit

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 06:15:25 PM

Thanks for the info. None of it makes any sense to me, though, as I've had no formal electronics training. I just really want to know which wires to solder where. I know the 1/4 jack is mono, and that it's sending a signal to the wireless belt-pack, which has a 1/8 stereo plug. But since my strat isn't sending a stereo signal, I'm not really sure what the point of the stereo 1/8 jack is, nor do I know what to do with the extra lug on the plug. As far as an ohm meter goes, even if I had one, I'm not sure if I would be able to decipher whatever information it gives me. What reading on the dial would correspond to what wiring pattern? Or does that question even make sense?

One last question: what are some other forums where I might post this question? Perhaps I'm the very first person in the world to want to make something like this, but I doubt it, and I'd really like to speak to someone who can help.

Thanks all.

Jhouse · January 03, 2011, 06:37:38 PM

Have you ever used a stereo jack in an effect pedal and didn't give an option for a battery? Not soldering anything to the ring of the input jack doesn't make a bit of difference. My advice: take a regular guitar cable, cut one end off, buy a mono mini jack, wire it to the cut off end, plug 'er in, and see if it works. The guitar is only sending out a mono signal so I don't see why you need a stereo jack.

twabelljr · January 03, 2011, 07:11:06 PM

http://www.fullcompass.com/common/products/original/68674.jpg

Is this the one?

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 07:14:32 PM

That is the one. I've already purchased a quality 1/8 stereo plug from my local electronics store, and I have plenty of good quality cable and switchcraft 1/4 mono plugs. I just have no idea how to solder them all together properly. Thanks.

Jhouse · January 03, 2011, 07:22:31 PM

Solder the part that goes to the tip to the tip of the stereo jack and the part that goes to the sleeve to the sleeve of the stereo jack. Don't bother with soldering anything to the ring.

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 07:25:30 PM

Alrighty the. Thanks.

SocraticTelecaster · January 03, 2011, 08:38:45 PM

That got it done, I think.

Wild E · January 03, 2011, 09:15:42 PM

I've had a Samson wireless unit for a couple of years. I have replaced the cable. More important though is be careful plugging the cable into the transmitter. The 1/8" jack is poorly mounted in the transmitter unit. I also suggest investing in a couple of rechargeable 9V batteries. Mine goes through them like I go through beer.

pazuzu · January 03, 2011, 09:18:02 PM

Quote from: Wild E on January 03, 2011, 09:15:42 PM
I've had a Samson wireless unit for a couple of years. I have replaced the cable. More important though is be careful plugging the cable into the transmitter. The 1/8" jack is poorly mounted in the transmitter unit. I also suggest investing in a couple of rechargeable 9V batteries. Mine goes through them like I go through beer.

that's why i refuse to buy a wireless. i put down about 20 coors light's by the end of band practice.

runmikeyrun · January 03, 2011, 09:39:02 PM

hahaha. I too, got tired of replacing batteries. It seemed like if i didn't replace the battery in mine at the start of every 2nd show i'd be left high and dry with a dead battery somewhere in the middle of the set. And i'm talking 40 min sets! Ate batteries like a mofo.

pazuzu · January 03, 2011, 09:46:15 PM

so does my isp decimator. new battery for every show. i can't stand running an adapter all the way across the stage for one pedal. i recycle, but still.

SocraticTelecaster · January 04, 2011, 11:54:07 AM

Hi everyone.

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I made the cable last night. As I said, I simply ignored the ring lug on the 1/8 plug. Seems to work fine. So, for those who come after me seeking an answer to this question - that's how you make your own Samson wireless replacement cord.

I took some pics. This is what came with the unit:

And this is what I made to replace it:

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Making a wireless cable?