amp and cabinet cables

[electrico777]

whats the difference between an amp or cabinet cable from a normal instrument cable?

[FSU_Seminoles]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

none, they're 1/4 jacks

[thetroy]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

Typically you will want a beefier cable between your amp and speakers since it has to handle a lot more current and also doesn't have to be carried around by you on stage.

[yabba]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

actually, there is a difference if you're asking about the different between instrument cables and speaker cables. Instrument cables are sheilded, speakers cables often aren't; instrument cables aren't designed to take the power that comes out of an amp and SHOULDN'T be used for connecting an amp to a cab. It _might_ work for a bit, but you're risking frying the cable (which isn't really a big deal, but when that fries, it's gonna take some expensive sections of your amp (like the output transformer) with it.

[electrico777]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

ok, but why aren't speaker cables sheilded?

[thetroy]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

The signal from the guitar is very weak so a little interference will mess it up a lot more than it would the output of a 100W amp, is my best attempt at explanation.

[Newc]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

Plus typical speaker-to-amp cables are shorter than typical guitar-to-amp cables.

Ok then, what gage is recommended for head-to-cab cable? 16? 18? 24?

[noodlesatf]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

What usually fries first on a guitar cable (used as a speaker cable) IS the shielding. It is just thin copper, and will burn up really quick.

[charvelguy]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

I would think 16-18 would be fine. Shielded cables offer to much resistance to the signal path.

[PallarAndersVisa]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

actually you can ruin your amplifier if you use an instrument cable to connect a cab. all of the power gets stopped up at the power supply thingie majigger and it can provide the same problem as when turning on a high wattage amp without a speaker connected to it.

[Bert]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

Yep, speaker cables have a thicker guage wire. If you use a speaker cable for your guitar, unless you use active pickups, it will sound like ass. Too much capacitance will kill the high end. Using an instrument cable for speaker cables will work fine at low volumes, but may not work well at louder volumes since they can't deliver the necessary current.

[siggy14]

Re: amp and cabinet cables

[ QUOTE ]
actually, there is a difference if you're asking about the different between instrument cables and speaker cables. Instrument cables are sheilded, speakers cables often aren't; instrument cables aren't designed to take the power that comes out of an amp and SHOULDN'T be used for connecting an amp to a cab. It _might_ work for a bit, but you're risking frying the cable (which isn't really a big deal, but when that fries, it's gonna take some expensive sections of your amp (like the output transformer) with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

+1