Do it yourself cable kit?

klasher · June 14th, 2008, 05:22 PM

I'm about to embark on retooling/expanding my pedal board, partially by incorporating a looper with five different loops. I'd like to get a do-it-yourself cable kit, possibly a George L set, but I want to eventually solder it so I don't have to worry about anything. If I got a George L set, that will at least let me get the board up and running pretty quickly, and I could solder them a couple at a time, rather than having to sit down and solder a bunch of cables at one time. Can this be done with George L's?
If not, what cable/jacks would you recommend that I could cut my own length cables and solder the jacks on?

getbent · June 14th, 2008, 07:32 PM

you don't need to solder George L's and they have a really reputation for reliability. So, they are a very good solution.

Flat357 · June 14th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Planet waves do a good kit too .

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Kit?sku=339123

Personally I don't use either , but if I was going to self make , PW's or Georges are a good choice , even if a bit pricey .

tazzboy · June 14th, 2008, 08:31 PM

On George L if you want put them together yourself you can or get can also get them put together already (

click here) this is the cheapest I could find.

eryque · June 15th, 2008, 10:54 AM

You can't solder George L cables, but you don't need to either. I've been using them on my pedal board for a year with absolutely no problems.

I haven't used the Planet Waves kit, but it looks good, as is most of their stuff. I'd go for whichever you can get cheaper.

FWIW, prices have gone up on the George L kits lately. My local shop was selling them last year for about $45. Bought one last week for $60. They said the dealer cost had gone up to about $45 now.

woodman · June 15th, 2008, 11:51 AM

i'm with those who recommend George L's for your board ... less tone loss than anything i've tried. hate to hear that the price has gone up, but i'm afraid we'd better get used to that across the board.

robt57 · June 15th, 2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

across the board.

ahem....

SixStringSlinger · June 15th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robt57

ahem....

red57strat · June 15th, 2008, 03:46 PM

George L's are great.

They're a little tricky to build at first but are easily re-buildable and you'll get good at it after doing a few.

I like them better on a board where they're not constantly being plugged in and unplugged. Because they're solderless you have to be careful to pull on the plug, not the cord and the 90 degree type seem to work themselves loose.

klasher · June 15th, 2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red57strat

George L's are great.

They're a little tricky to build at first but are easily re-buildable and you'll get good at it after doing a few.

I like them better on a board where they're not constantly being plugged in and unplugged. Because they're solderless you have to be careful to pull on the plug, not the cord and the 90 degree type seem to work themselves loose.

That's part of the problem. I'm going to be unplugging things in and out of this board all the time. That's one reason I want to go with a set that I can solder. Any suggestions?

charlie chitlin · June 15th, 2008, 11:32 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but...
MANY years ago, I bought some Bill Lawrence cable with solderless ends.
I lost the cable with the ends, but still have a few feet of cable.
Does anybody use this stuff?
Is it still made?
Are the ends available?

eryque · June 16th, 2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klasher

That's part of the problem. I'm going to be unplugging things in and out of this board all the time. That's one reason I want to go with a set that I can solder. Any suggestions?

I've never seen a kit that you solder. But the components are relatively inexpensive. I'd order the jacks and cable from an electronics supplier like Mouser.com or Digikey.com. You could get them through a music supplier if you really want to pay a ridiculous markup.

Flat357 · June 16th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klasher

That's part of the problem. I'm going to be unplugging things in and out of this board all the time. That's one reason I want to go with a set that I can solder. Any suggestions?

Any decent quality patch lead will do .
Far too much emphasis is cast upon musicians today regarding needing top quality accessories in order to get the job done , when strictly speaking , as long as it's not crap , it will usually do a good job .

Go for something like this for good quality . Hicons are as good as they come :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x-10-Professi...QQcmdZViewItem

Or even something like this :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-PRO-GUITAR-P...QQcmdZViewItem

Or some 6"

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x-6-high-qual...QQcmdZViewItem

They're all great and will cost a lot less in the states .

tazzboy · June 16th, 2008, 01:37 AM

I know that Bob Bradshaw like to use Mogami 2524, but I have read some reviews that were good and some that were bad. I have Live wires at the moment and they are pretty good cables, but I am looking for a change of pace.

If you are going to be changing thing in and out the I would suggested find a solid patch cable rather then going with solder less cable like George L's.

getbent · June 16th, 2008, 01:43 AM

Klasher,
you might even try a patch bay. If you are reasonable with pulling cables and putting them in the GeorgeL's or the planet waves will be fine... I have planet waves on my current pedal board... they are solderless (as most are) and have withstood some torture by an idiotic sound man we've been using who wanted to "help" me a couple of times... but, you might really benefit from running your stuff into a patchbay, labeling it and then swapping some good patch cables... that way you could keep cable length down and maximize flexibility. just a thought.

Tim Bowen · June 16th, 2008, 02:10 AM

For what it's worth, I've been gigging George L's weekly for at least ten years. During this time, I've had failures on two occasions, both of which amounted to "operator error".

As often as I need to re-route signal flow, I couldn't imagine going back to soldering. I had an in-town full band festival job on Saturday afternoon, and then a duo show 70 miles away later that evening. Time and vehicle space were tight, so I just brought the one board and re-routed between shows to accomodate signal chain for electric or acoustic-electric instruments, as I've done countless times. No problems.

When I bought the George L's stuff, I purchased enough cable and right angle plugs to last a lifetime, and so far, it certainly has. I'm still using all the original cable and plugs that I bought, although they've been reconfigured many times. I keep a few extra GL patch cables of different lengths in my gig tackle box for whatever might be necessary. I usually check all the right angle connections before a show, and all this amounts to is making sure that they're finger-tight.

For a little extra insurance with GL's right angles, you can dab a bit of Elmer's glue onto the screw threads with a Q-tip before securing the bond. This works pretty well, and there are really no future problems with this little fix. The bond is easily broken with a firm twist of thumb and index finger, and if needed, the screw threads can be quickly cleaned by soaking for just a little while in a solvent such as GooGone.

bluende · June 16th, 2008, 01:37 PM

For a solderless kit, I like the Lava Cable ELC: http://www.lavacable.com/Lava%20Cable.htm

For soldered patch cables, I've made my own with Canare GS-4 (thinner version of the GS-6 instrument-size cable) and G&H plugs, which worked great. Pretty sure you can find everything you need here: http://www.markertek.com/index.asp

Have also had great service and great cables from Butch at Bayou Cable. He uses Canare GS-6 cable w/your choice of plugs. Great prices, too - might be worth having him make up a bunch for you.
http://www.bayoucables.com/canare-in...ions-p-29.html

Hope this helps!

Jane

Kbibs · June 16th, 2008, 02:25 PM

Charlie,
Yes, Bill sells cable and solderless connectors. I'm not sure if it's still compatible with yours but they are available. I'm sure Becky could answer the question. Here's a link: http://www.wildepickups.com/The_Wilde_Collection.php.

I use both the cable and connectors and think they are great but I only play at home so no gigging experience.

Good Luck!

charlie chitlin · June 17th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Thanks.

mad dog · June 21st, 2008, 08:16 PM

I can recommend Lavaman's ELC connectors. They are not the cheapest, but the sound is there. I invested in these as an experiment, not fully convinced that high end cables could make a difference in tone. (At the same time, I got two lava pre-made cables, for guitar to board, and board to amp.) The difference was not subtle ... quite impressive. No failures or other problems.

guitarzan13 · June 26th, 2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

you don't need to solder George L's and they have a really reputation for reliability. So, they are a very good solution.

+1 I also LOVE George L's

June 14th, 2008, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
klasher Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 181	Do it yourself cable kit? I'm about to embark on retooling/expanding my pedal board, partially by incorporating a looper with five different loops. I'd like to get a do-it-yourself cable kit, possibly a George L set, but I want to eventually solder it so I don't have to worry about anything. If I got a George L set, that will at least let me get the board up and running pretty quickly, and I could solder them a couple at a time, rather than having to sit down and solder a bunch of cables at one time. Can this be done with George L's? If not, what cable/jacks would you recommend that I could cut my own length cables and solder the jacks on? Last edited by klasher; June 14th, 2008 at 05:25 PM. Reason: Accidently posted before I was ready.

June 14th, 2008, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,158 37 Photos	you don't need to solder George L's and they have a really reputation for reliability. So, they are a very good solution. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

June 14th, 2008, 08:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,913	Planet waves do a good kit too . http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Kit?sku=339123 Personally I don't use either , but if I was going to self make , PW's or Georges are a good choice , even if a bit pricey . __________________ Homepage http://www.soundclick.com/members/de...member=flat357 MySpace http://www.myspace.com/flat357

June 14th, 2008, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,182	On George L if you want put them together yourself you can or get can also get them put together already (click here) this is the cheapest I could find. __________________ tazzboy

June 15th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,116 44 Photos	You can't solder George L cables, but you don't need to either. I've been using them on my pedal board for a year with absolutely no problems. I haven't used the Planet Waves kit, but it looks good, as is most of their stuff. I'd go for whichever you can get cheaper. FWIW, prices have gone up on the George L kits lately. My local shop was selling them last year for about $45. Bought one last week for $60. They said the dealer cost had gone up to about $45 now. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

June 15th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,961	i'm with those who recommend George L's for your board ... less tone loss than anything i've tried. hate to hear that the price has gone up, but i'm afraid we'd better get used to that across the board. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

June 15th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,195	George L's are great. They're a little tricky to build at first but are easily re-buildable and you'll get good at it after doing a few. I like them better on a board where they're not constantly being plugged in and unplugged. Because they're solderless you have to be careful to pull on the plug, not the cord and the 90 degree type seem to work themselves loose. __________________ Don

June 15th, 2008, 11:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,346	Not to hijack the thread, but... MANY years ago, I bought some Bill Lawrence cable with solderless ends. I lost the cable with the ends, but still have a few feet of cable. Does anybody use this stuff? Is it still made? Are the ends available? __________________ Nil illigitimi carborundum http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

June 16th, 2008, 01:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,182	I know that Bob Bradshaw like to use Mogami 2524, but I have read some reviews that were good and some that were bad. I have Live wires at the moment and they are pretty good cables, but I am looking for a change of pace. If you are going to be changing thing in and out the I would suggested find a solid patch cable rather then going with solder less cable like George L's. __________________ tazzboy

June 16th, 2008, 01:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,158 37 Photos	Klasher, you might even try a patch bay. If you are reasonable with pulling cables and putting them in the GeorgeL's or the planet waves will be fine... I have planet waves on my current pedal board... they are solderless (as most are) and have withstood some torture by an idiotic sound man we've been using who wanted to "help" me a couple of times... but, you might really benefit from running your stuff into a patchbay, labeling it and then swapping some good patch cables... that way you could keep cable length down and maximize flexibility. just a thought. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

June 16th, 2008, 02:10 AM	#16 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,319	For what it's worth, I've been gigging George L's weekly for at least ten years. During this time, I've had failures on two occasions, both of which amounted to "operator error". As often as I need to re-route signal flow, I couldn't imagine going back to soldering. I had an in-town full band festival job on Saturday afternoon, and then a duo show 70 miles away later that evening. Time and vehicle space were tight, so I just brought the one board and re-routed between shows to accomodate signal chain for electric or acoustic-electric instruments, as I've done countless times. No problems. When I bought the George L's stuff, I purchased enough cable and right angle plugs to last a lifetime, and so far, it certainly has. I'm still using all the original cable and plugs that I bought, although they've been reconfigured many times. I keep a few extra GL patch cables of different lengths in my gig tackle box for whatever might be necessary. I usually check all the right angle connections before a show, and all this amounts to is making sure that they're finger-tight. For a little extra insurance with GL's right angles, you can dab a bit of Elmer's glue onto the screw threads with a Q-tip before securing the bond. This works pretty well, and there are really no future problems with this little fix. The bond is easily broken with a firm twist of thumb and index finger, and if needed, the screw threads can be quickly cleaned by soaking for just a little while in a solvent such as GooGone. __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

June 16th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
bluende TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 51 13 Photos	For a solderless kit, I like the Lava Cable ELC: http://www.lavacable.com/Lava%20Cable.htm For soldered patch cables, I've made my own with Canare GS-4 (thinner version of the GS-6 instrument-size cable) and G&H plugs, which worked great. Pretty sure you can find everything you need here: http://www.markertek.com/index.asp Have also had great service and great cables from Butch at Bayou Cable. He uses Canare GS-6 cable w/your choice of plugs. Great prices, too - might be worth having him make up a bunch for you. http://www.bayoucables.com/canare-in...ions-p-29.html Hope this helps! Jane

June 16th, 2008, 02:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
Kbibs TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 75	Bill Lawrence Cable and Connectors Charlie, Yes, Bill sells cable and solderless connectors. I'm not sure if it's still compatible with yours but they are available. I'm sure Becky could answer the question. Here's a link: http://www.wildepickups.com/The_Wilde_Collection.php. I use both the cable and connectors and think they are great but I only play at home so no gigging experience. Good Luck!

June 17th, 2008, 11:07 PM	#19 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,346	Thanks. __________________ Nil illigitimi carborundum http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

June 21st, 2008, 08:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 784	I can recommend Lavaman's ELC connectors. They are not the cheapest, but the sound is there. I invested in these as an experiment, not fully convinced that high end cables could make a difference in tone. (At the same time, I got two lava pre-made cables, for guitar to board, and board to amp.) The difference was not subtle ... quite impressive. No failures or other problems.