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To get the best possible tone from your guitar, you must have the best guitar cables for your needs. You might save some money by going cheap, but it has a high chance of costing you the quality of your guitar’s tone.
There might be interruptions like crackling and popping, buzzing, or bad sound quality from the deteriorating audio signal in the cable. Cheap cables also tend to wear out easily or die in the middle of a performance.
For a guitarist, preserving the quality of their sound is important. And that’s why we’re bringing you what we’ve found to be some of the most high-quality cables available in the market.
Also, check out some of the other must-have guitar accessories!
Boss Instrument Cable
Boss Instrument/Patch Cable Bundle
$49.99
Boss 1/4″ Angle Patch Cable 6 Inch.
$14.99
Boss Ebu Trs Digital Audio Cable 30 Ft. Black
$69.99
Specifications of the Boss Instrument Cables
Material
Oxygen-free copper core wire
Length
1’/3’/5’/10’/15’/20/25’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
24K gold-plated contacts, Heavy-duty braided shield
Pros and Cons of The Boss Instrument Cable
Pros
- Boasts decent quality at an affordable price
- Has a large variety of cable lengths
- The cable design makes it easy to coil up. This helps in storing it easily.
Cons
- Though the sound quality is serviceable, there are better cables in higher price ranges.
D’Addario Planet Waves American Stage
D’Addario American Stage Kill Switch instrument cables
$105.40
D’Addario Classic Series 1-4 Patch Cable 1 ft.
$14.35
D’Addario Planet Waves Cable Station Pedalboard Cable Kit
$79.99
Specifications of the D’Addario American Stage Cables
Material
22 gauge oxygen-free copper twisted pair conductors
Length
10’/15’/20’/30’
Connection
1/4” Geo-Tip plugs, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
95 percent tinned copper braid shielding, approx 92pF/m capacitance, Limited lifetime warranty
Pros and Cons of The D’Addario Planet Waves American Stage Cables
Pros
- Offers low capacitance.
- Geo-tip plugs are compatible with many jacks, preventing crackle and pop in most cases.
- Tough and durable cable due to the HelioFused soldering unique to Planet Waves.
Cons
- The cable is a bit stiff with a slight tendency to kink and retain the kink if stepped on wrong.
Ernie Ball Braided Instrument Cable
Ernie Ball Woven Nickel-Plated 1/4″ Instrument Cable 20 ft.
$29.99
Ernie Ball Flat Ribbon 3-Pack Patch Cables 3 in. Red
$22.99
Ernie Ball Flat Ribbon Patch Cables Pedalboard Multi-Pack
$69.99
Specifications of the Ernie Ball Braided Instrument Cable
Material
99.95% oxygen-free copper to resist corrosion
Length
10’/18’/25’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Tangle-resistant, braided jacket exterior, dual-shielded, dual-conductor design, Limited lifetime warranty
Pros and Cons of The Ernie Ball Braided Instrument Cable
Pros
- Especially durable design.
- The tangle-resistant design allows for rougher handling.
- The dual conductors help ensure a clear tone.
Cons
- Their instrument cables have a low variety in lengths.
Evidence Audio Lyric HG guitar cable
Evidence Audio Lyric HG Instrument Cable 20 ft. Straight to Straight 1/4 IN
$140.25
Evidence Audio Lyric HG Straight to Straight TRS to TRS Cable 10 ft.
$100.30
Specifications of the Evidence Audio Lyric HG Guitar Cables
Material
Dual solid core conductors made of refined IGL copper
Length
10’/20’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Braided copper shielding, fabric covered
Pros and Cons of The Evidence Audio Lyric HG guitar cables
Pros
- One of, if not the best sound quality you can get from a guitar cable.
- Favored by big names such as Jeff Beck, John Mayer, and David Gilmour.
- The fabric covering and stiff cable make for a very tough and one of the best guitar cables.
Cons
- One of the most expensive cables on the market.
Fender Deluxe Instrument Cable
Fender Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Cable 30 ft. Black
$59.99
Fender Deluxe Series Straight to Angle 10 ft. Yellow Tweed
$27.99
Fender Blockchain Patch Cable Kit Medium Black
$129.99
Specifications of the Fender Deluxe Instrument Cables
Material
20 AWG 99.99 percent oxygen-free copper conductor
Length
1’/3’/5’/10’/15’/18.6’/25’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle, 24K gold-plated connectors
Other Features
95 percent braided oxygen-free copper shielding, molded plugs w/strain relief, yellow or black tweed outer jacket, hook-and-loop cable tie, lifetime warranty
Pros and Cons of The Fender Deluxe Instrument Cables
Pros
- In-built strain relief with plugs makes for a solid connection.
- It comes with a free cable tie.
- High performance considering its price.
Cons
- A bit thicker than other cables at 8mm.
George L’s .155 guitar cable
George L’s Pre-Made .225 Cable 15 ft.
$49.20
George L’s Effects Pedal Cable Kit
$93.60
George L’s .155 Right Angle 1/4″ Plugs and Jackets (4-pieces)
$28.00
Specifications of the George L’s .155 guitar cables
Material
George L’s .155 connectors
Length
10’-20’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Solderless connection, high-density braided shielding, 67pF/m capacitance
Pros and Cons of the George L’s .155 guitar cables
Pros
- One of the lowest capacitance cables available.
- Tough and lightweight, allowing for easier handling and better portability
- Can build your cable by taking advantage of the solder-less design
Cons
- These cables are thinner than most others.
GLS Audio Instrument Cable (Braided Tweed)
Specifications of GLS Audio Instrument Cables
Material
Oxygen-free copper conductor
Length
6’/10’/15’/20’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Triple-strain relief, oxygen-free copper shielding, conductive PVC shield, plastic conductive carbon shield, approx 125pF/m capacitance, yellow or brown tweed outer jacket
Pros and Cons of GLS Audio Instrument Cables
Pros
- Great quality for its medium pricing.
- No discernible noise when it’s connected properly.
- Low capacitance provides a clear tone.
Cons
- The jack might not fit in well in some cases, leading to crackling.
Mogami Gold Series guitar cable
Mogami Gold Neglex Quad Mic Cable, 10′
$67.95
Mogami Gold Series Instrument Cable 6 ft.
$59.95
Mogami Platinum Guitar Cable 12 ft.
$126.95
Specifications of the Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cables
Material
Oxygen-free copper conductor
Length
3’/6’/10’/18’/25’
Connection
1/4” Neutrik black and gold plugs, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Carbon-impregnated PVC, ultra-high density spiral shield, conductive polymer sub-shield, 130pF/m capacitance, Lifetime Warranty
Pros and Cons of the Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cables
Pros
- Lossless and crystal clear audio due to no unwanted noise in the signal.
- A large variety of lengths is available.
- Backed by ‘No Excuses’ lifetime warranty from Mogami
Cons
- A bit on the pricier side.
Monster Prolink Rock cable
Monster Cable Prolink Rock Pro Instrument Cable 12 ft. Black
$64.99
Monster Prolink Rock Pro Cable, Right Angle to Straight 12 ft
$64.99
Monster Prolink Classic Pro Instrument Cable, Coiled 21 ft.
$54.99
Specifications of the Monster Prolink Rock Cables
Material
Three-wire structure stranded copper cable
Length
12’/21’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle “Heavy-duty” plug with 24 K gold-plated connectors
Other Features
Carbon-infused polymer, dense 95% copper braided shield, Duraflex protective jacket, inbuilt strain relief on the plug, lifetime warranty
Pros and Cons of the Monster Prolink Rock Cables
Pros
- It’s very durable and built to handle rough use.
- Exceptional shielding protects from unwanted noise.
Cons
- It’s also very stiff.
Orange Crush instrument cable
Specifications of the Orange Crush Instrument Cables
Material
High-grade oxygen-free copper
Length
10’/20’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle, nickel-plated
Other Features
Multiple shielding layers, heat-shrunk outer shield
Pros and Cons of the Orange Crush Instrument Cables
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant nickel-plated jacks ensure lasting performance.
- Multiple layers of shielding to kill noise.
- No need to worry about not noticing it.
Cons
- Stands out due to its color.
PRS Signature Series guitar cable
PRS Signature Instrument Cable Straight to Straight 25 ft.
$84.99
PRS Signature Silent Instrument Cable Straight to Angle 18 ft.
$99.99
PRS Classic Instrument Cable Straight to Angle 25 ft.
$39.99
Specifications of the PRS Signature Series Guitar Cables
Material
Oxygen-free copper core
Length
5’-25’
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-straight and straight-to-right-angle
Other Features
Dual screens of conductive and close-lapped copper, hermetically sealed reed switch connector, and silent plugs are an option
Pros
- Handmade and premium quality.
- Lightweight and thin.
- Low capacitance.
Cons
- Hard to find in stock.
Vox Premium Vintage Coil
VOX Professional Bass Guitar Cable 13 ft.
$59.99
VOX Professional Acoustic Guitar Cable 13 ft.
$59.99
VOX Professional Guitar Cable 19 ft.
$49.99
Specifications of the Vox Premium Vintage Coil
Material
99.99% purity, oxygen-free multi-gauge copper cable conductors
Length
29.5’ at max
Connection
1/4”, straight-to-right-angle gold-plated connectors with one-piece tip
Other Features
two separate shields, abrasion-resistant high-temperature PVC jacket
Pros and Cons of the Vox Premium Vintage Coil
Pros
- The coiled cable makes it easier to tidy up after usage – no need to coil manually.
- It has a vintage look.
- Quality build with excellent components.
Cons
- Coiled cables generally have higher capacitance.
How Do I Choose a Cable?
Many things can influence the performance of a guitar cable. Not just in terms of sound quality, but how well it is suited for someone. So, here are some of the primary factors you should consider when deciding what you might want from a cable:
Cable length
As a guitar cable gets longer, It gets more and more unwieldy. The signal strength also gets weaker with length. And if there’s low-quality shielding, the chance of interference in its signal gets higher. But a too-short cable can restrict movement on stage. So choosing an ideal length for your guitar cable is important.
Outer Jacket
The material used for the cable’s outside. This affects how the cable looks and feels as well as its durability.
Conductor Design
How the conductor is made. There are two main types of designs used here: Solid and stranded. Generally, solid is cheaper since it’s easier to make, but it’s also more prone to damage from twisting and less flexible. Meanwhile, stranded is more expensive but also more flexible and can withstand more.
Material
What the conductor is made of also affects the quality of the signal. Most conductors are made from either copper or copper combined with other metals, most commonly silver.
Shielding
Guitar cables need shielding to keep the signal from getting scrambled by ambient magnetic fields and radio waves. There are many different types of shielding used, but the most commonly used are (from most to least in both price and quality) braided, served, and foil.
Connector
This is the part of the cable which undergoes the most wear through normal use. In this case, looking for high-quality connectors with good soldering and insulation is the best option. Gold-plated connectors are often preferred for their corrosion resistance and better conductivity.
Insulation
The material used for the insulation between the shield and conductor affects the cable’s capacitance. The best high-frequency response is found when capacitance is kept very low. So look for high-quality insulation with low capacitance for the best guitar wires.
Just like with any other instrument, there is no single ‘Best Guitar Cable’. Every guitarist has their own unique needs and preferences for what they want. Some might prefer sound quality above all else. Others might go for durability and reliability instead.
In the end, don’t worry too much about trying to choose the best guitar cables. The only thing that matters is whether the cable satisfies your needs.
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