Guitar cable vs Speaker cable

hotpickups

Is it ok to use speaker cable as an instrument/ guitar cable 

John_P

You should get a signal through it, but it won't been screened to cut out interference so there is a fair chance of it being noisy.
Speaker leads have two wires, capable of handling more current.  
Instrument leads have one wire for low current and screening wrapped around it connected to earth. 

Best avoided unless it's an emergency.  

ian964

That way round should be fine electrically, though may be susceptible to noise. Just don't try to use an instrument cable as speaker cable, it won't be able to handle the current.

hotpickups

John_P said:

You should get a signal through it, but it won't been screened to cut out interference so there is a fair chance of it being noisy.
Speaker leads have two wires, capable of handling more current.  
Instrument leads have one wire for low current and screening wrapped around it connected to earth. 

Best avoided unless it's an emergency.  

Ok great thanks for that info @John_P ;

hotpickups

I wanted to use a speaker cable I have and don't use to connect my wah to my pedal. But it looks like it isn't a good idea

Danny1969

On a short run  it won't make a massive difference just slightly more noise if you used a long speaker cable as an instrument lead though there would be a lot of noise 

hotpickups

Danny1969 said:

On a short run  it won't make a massive difference just slightly more noise if you used a long speaker cable as an instrument lead though there would be a lot of noise 

So 1m length speaker cable should be ok to use maybe @Danny1969 ;

Maynehead

Try it and see, it won't damage anything. Just kick in your highest gain tone and see how much hiss comes through compared to with a guitar lead.

John_P

Surely you have a few spare guitar leads? Might be worth thinking investing in a couple in case you have a problem at a gig l

hotpickups

John_P said:

Surely you have a few spare guitar leads? Might be worth thinking investing in a couple in case you have a problem at a gig l

I do yes but too long and I don't want to cut them down in case I need them at a gig. Plus I don't trust my soldering LOL

Danny1969

hotpickups said:

Danny1969 said:

On a short run  it won't make a massive difference just slightly more noise if you used a long speaker cable as an instrument lead though there would be a lot of noise 

So 1m length speaker cable should be ok to use maybe @Danny1969 ;

Yes, just slightly more noise, you won't damage anything

hotpickups

Ok I'm going to have another go at soldering and going to buy a few right angle jacks. Are these recommend:-

https://www.studiospares.com/Cables-Leads/Connectors/Switchcraft-226-Right-Angle-Jack-Mono_577740.htm

MattBanshee

If you're buying some jacks from Studiospares, you may as well buy a length of instrument cable too. I wouldn't ever advocate using speaker cable as a guitar lead as it'll be noisy as all hell.

hotpickups

MattBanshee said:

If you're buying some jacks from Studiospares, you may as well buy a length of instrument cable too. I wouldn't ever advocate using speaker cable as a guitar lead as it'll be noisy as all hell.

I was planning to use an old 10ft guitar lead I have knocking around which I could cut in half and add the right angle jacks to. I've heard the above link is a good product or a neutrik one

Danny1969

These are good 

http://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/np2rx/6-35mm-jack-plug-mono-90deg/dp/AV19370

hotpickups

Danny1969 said:

These are good 

http://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/np2rx/6-35mm-jack-plug-mono-90deg/dp/AV19370

Good price too @Danny1969 Have you bought from that company before? Are they easy to solder too?

Danny1969

hotpickups said:

Danny1969 said:

These are good 

http://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/np2rx/6-35mm-jack-plug-mono-90deg/dp/AV19370

Good price too @Danny1969 Have you bought from that company before? Are they easy to solder too?

Yes many of us on here buy hundreds of products from CPC, huge company. Yes easy to solder, preping the cable shield will probably be the hardest bit of the job

Sporky

CPC are sound, and Neutriks are always my first choice.

ecc83

Just like to dispel the bit of a myth that a screened guitar cable cannot be used for speakers.

Not by any means suggesting it as a norm' but unless it is a very light weight, very long "curly" guitar cable AND you have a 4 Ohm 100W+ cab, there really is little danger. I have old mic cables that could easily cope with a 2kW fan heater!

So, in extremis a straight guitar cable will see you through the night to connect your cab. BTW "balanced" mic cable makes excellent guitar cables. Tie the "cold" core to screen both ends. This gives the lowest capacitance and makes the cable far less "microphonic". Decent 6mm ish OD mic cable will handle a few amperes of music signals quite happily.

Dave.

hotpickups

I soldered some cable up last night which seems to be working nicely. I used a bit of flux which helped no end However, someone told me since that there is acid in flux and should be neutralised with a wipe of water to stop the acidic action corroding the metals etc. Is this correct? I hope not as I've shrine wrapped it all now and would have to cut it all open again