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What low capacitance cable options?

Iguana

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Aug 22, 2018
Messages
108
I wasn’t sure where to post this one. I’m trying to find some more low capacitance cables for my guitar rig. I have been using a 20’ Livewire Soundhose cable for some years now. I really like how the cable doesn’t swallow the high frequency before it gets to the amp. That has become hugely obvious since I built my Bassman. All of my other cables diminish the shimmering, swirling treble that I love from that amp. I was planning on buying a couple more Soundhose cables but they’re no longer available. Got any suggestions for low capacitance guitar cable?
 

Señor Verde

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Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
I use Lava ELC cables. of all the cables I've seen on the interweb that publish the capacitance, these are the lowest.
 

DrewB

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Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,428
I like Mogami W2524 a lot. It lets the highs come through nice and clear without the harshness I've heard in some cables - names withheld to protect the guilty. I make my own cables using Switchcraft ends. I know Canare GS-6 is fairly popular, but I haven't tried it AFAIK; I'll be getting some and making a cable to compare to the Mogami soon.
 

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
I use mostly Mogami off the shelf types and use Bassman knockoffs quite regularly.

Sounds good to me.
 

Iguana

Active member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
108
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I’ll start looking into those options after work today. Kinda bummed about the Livewire cables. They were reasonably priced and sturdy enough for my needs. My plan was to buy a couple 20 footers and use them to make the connections for my rig. Two 10 footers between my aby pedal and the amps and the rest for my pedals. That would give me the option of running a higher capacitance cable between the aby and the Ceriatone. I’m not a huge fan of the Marshall high frequency bite thus the Silver Jubilee clone.
 

Iguana

Active member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
108
I ordered 40 feet of the Mogami W2524 a little while ago. I’ve got plenty of Switchcraft plugs so I should be good to go. I’ll be sure to update when I get the cables wired into my rig. Thanks for the input everyone.
 

DrewB

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Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,428
I think you'll be very happy with that cable.
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Belden 150-5 f
Capacitance 54pf/m ( 15pf/ft )

I've been using this cable for 20 yrs, and the first cables I assembled back then I'm using to this day, theyhave never failed, if you can believe it.
The downside is that buying in less than bulk is difficult and usually means paying for a 100m drum.. Its not cheap. All the same if you can find a seller that's prepared to sell by the meter, please let me know ! I would love some more.

I was fortunate enough to buy from a recording studio that was being refitted, so although the Belden coax cable was old it was in pristine condition. I won't get that lucky again.
 
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57gold

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
692
Had Pac Rad make a couple of 20 footers of the:

Sommer SC-Spirit XXL Guitar Cable​

→ Low capacitance of 26.2pF/ft (86pF/m).
→ 18 AWG Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) conductor with braided OFC shielding.

Was like $28 with high quality Nuetrik plugs. No loss of highs, quiet, well constructed and actually attractive.

Cheaper than any low capacitance, High quality cables I know of.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Evidence Audio! It’s the clearest sounding cable I’ve ever used in the last 50 years.
 

Johnny Q

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2003
Messages
511
The MXR Pro Series instrument cables are low capacitance and affordably priced. I can't find the exact measurements right now, but they scored close to the top in a shootout last year. They are also quite supple and manageable. I switched over to these entirely - patch cables and cable from guitar to pedalboard and pedalboard to amp.
 

57gold

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
692
Evidence Audio cables are nice, expensive, stiffest on the planet and at 38 pF/ft relatively low capacitance.

I have a 20ft Evidence Lyric HG, does sound nice. Like the fact that the mid range is very rich and top end sweet. But it's so stiff, it's a pain to use and at $150 a shame that it sits in a closet.

If anyone is looking for the cable that best delivers a musically beautiful signal from their guitar to their amp, and don't care about budget, I can recommend the Van Den Hul instrument cable. This stuff is the best. Was at a master class with Robben Ford when he had cable issues (he didn't like the cable that was provided with rental amp) and asked if someone had a good cable to borrow. Lent him my VDH and he was impressed, said he didn't think high end cables made much difference. All 20 guitar geeks in the room heard the dramatic improvement. Not cheap, but you hear more of your instrument, longer decays and more overtones.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...ul-instrument-cable-10-foot-straight-straight
 
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Iguana

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Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
108
Just finished testing the Mogami w2524 cable that I made. It’s a keeper. I a/b tested with my Livewire cable and I don’t hear any difference. Thanks for the recommendation DrewB. I only made one cable tonight. It didn’t make sense to build them all until I was sure. I’ll make 2 for d.i. into my audio interfaces, 2 to run between the aby pedal and the amps, and 3 short ones to go between my pedals. Speaking of....I can finally use my pedals again. I quite using ‘em because the cables would swallow all the highs.

Thanks for all of the other suggestions as well. I found 40ft of the Mogami at a reasonable price and I wanted to get this project finished quick. The wife will probably be back to working at the office soon so I’ll get my studio back!
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Evidence Audio! It’s the clearest sounding cable I’ve ever used in the last 50 years.
Hi TM1,
Despite my having used low cap Belden coax (150-5f) For many yrs now. I'm really curious how your journey led you to Evidence Audio with so much choice available.

Could you give us the benefit of your experience in the area ?
 
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