Guitar Cable Showdown – 9 Cables – $30-$50
This month we are taking a look at 9 different guitar cables from 8 different manufacturers, The following companies accepted the challenge:
We first started out by testing all the cables to make sure that they were wired properly for proper grounding and continuity. We would like to thank our good friends at Morley Pedals for providing us with their Ebtech Swizz Army Cable Tester.
All 9 Cables passed both the Continuity and Shield Test.
Each cable was connected to 3 different setups to simulate a variety of practical playing environments.
We used the following setups to actually test the cables:
1. Squier Stratocaster with a Fender FM25 DSP Amplifier
2. Fender Standard Telecaster with a Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 Reissue Amplifier
3. Fender American Stratocaster with a Blues Jr. Amplifier
While using each cable we tested it for the following:
1. Appearance
2. Workmanship
3. Stiffness
4. Sound
George L’s Guitar Cable
Price: $30.40
Connectors: George L’s Connectors
Wire: .225
Shielding: Braided Shielding
Description:
10 foot cable ready to plug into your axe. All pre-packaged cable now come with black stress relief jackets included!!
Editors Notes:
George L’s has a reputation for one of the best cables on the market. We like the connectors on this cable. The cable can be a little stiff when moving around and we hope this will loosen up over time. There was a little hiss on the cable but overall it is a great playing cable.
Fender Premium Gold Guitar Cable
Price: $34.99
Connectors: Fender Connectors
Wire:
Shielding:
Description:
The Fender Gold and Platinum Electric Guitar Cables use 3-Way plus Differential Cable Architecture to present the best possible balance between all frequency ranges, and to also preserve all the tone and nuance that your guitars are capable of. Optimally selected stranded conductors are used to preserve sustain and the edge that is so important in guitar sound, while two different types of solid conductors augment the bass & midrange, to give a much fuller sound. Specially designed hollow treble conductors give these cables a high frequency presentation to accentuate that chime that Fender guitars are so famous for. These cables have a unique voice that has not been heard before, and use a proprietary technology that is patented and unique to Fender.
Editors Notes:
Great Jack design, stylish cable that fails to disappoint. Very easy to move around while using this cable. We did not experience any noise while using this cable and it sounds great.
Spectraflex FF-10 Guitar Cable
Price: $38.99
Connectors: G&H Industries Connectors
Wire: 20
Shielding: Copper/PVC 100%
Description:
Fatso-Flex is a larger diameter version of our original series cable, with a little something extra.
We incorporate the exclusive Spectraflex Multi-Layer Braid technology for the ultimate in flexibility and handling noise reduction. The additional layers provide the insulation needed to eliminate high volume microphonics and squealing.
If you play really loud, you need a Fatso-Flex. Other benefits include increased strength and strain relief.
Editors Notes:
The tweed on this cable is smooth and looks great. The plugs have a nice feel. This is a thicker cable that takes a little getting used to but did not affect moving around while playing. This is a very nice sounding cable.
Monster Rock
Price: $39.95
Connectors: Monster
Wire:
Shielding: Braided Shield – 95%
Description:
Patented Technologies Help You Deliver the Power and Full Impact of Your Tone
Unlike ordinary cable, Monster Rock™ uses patented technologies to accent the raw power of your sound so it cuts through the mix: Monster’s advanced coaxial design preserves fast transients, clean highs and vivid harmonics while patented multiple gauge wire networks enhance your guitar’s sonic bite. A solid core center conductor provides tighter bass response, plus an extra-dense braided shield and carbon-infused dielectric minimize interference and hum. Monster’s 24k gold contact ergonomic connectors ensure a strong, reliable connection that withstands the constant abuse of stage and studio.
Editors Notes:
We previously reviewed the Monster S-100 Cable and again this cable fails to disappoint. This is a stylish cable with gold contoured jacks. This cable was silent without any noise in any of our tests. This is a great sounding cable at an affordable price.
Planet Waves Circuit Breaker
Price: $39.95
Connectors: Planet Waves Circuit Breaker Connector
Wire: 24
Shielding: Foil/Braided Shield
Description:
Planet Waves’ Circuit Breaker; cables have a built-in mute switch to save your equipment from loud pops and squeals when you change guitars with a live amp or PA system. When the button is pushed, the cable shorts while remaining plugged into your guitar, making on-stage guitar changes a snap. Once the cable is shorted, remove the cable from the guitar being used and plug the cable into the next instrument. Simply press the button again to re-activate the cable signal.
Editors Notes:
This is a sharp looking cable, we like the contoured jacks with the circuit breaker switch that allows you to swap instruments without any noise. This cable was silent while playing and moved well across the floor.
RapcoHorizon Dominator – Gold Tuned
Price: $39.95
Connectors: Neutrik
Wire: 24
Shielding: Braided 95%
Description:
Dominator cables are designed by active audio industry professionals with decades of experience in research and development, live performances, and professional audio installations. Because we know first hand the requirements of real-world systems, Dominator cables are engineered and constructed to deliver unparalleled reliable, true-to-life sound in your performance.
Dominator is a full line of audio interfacing cables which meet every live sound, studio recording, or installation need. We continually monitor emerging technologies so we can offer the cables and accessories required for leading-edge connections.
“Gold Tuned” cables are about choices…Sound Choices. Each type is designed to have a different effect on the tone of your guitar and amplifier. You pick the one that tells you what you want to hear.
Editors Notes:
This is a nice cable made with quality parts. We did experience a little stiffness using this cable but feel that it will loosen up over time. No hiss experience at all and the cable sounded great while playing.
Mogami Gold Guitar Cable
Price: $44.95
Connectors: Neutrik
Wire:
Shielding:
Description:
Mogami guitar cable allows uncommonly clear, accurate, transparent tone, with dead silent background. Since our research has shown that many guitarists actually prefer to move around while playing, we use carbon impregnated PVC as an additional shield layer to eliminate any handling noise. Use for any unbalanced instrument, pedals, patching, etc.
Editors Notes:
This is a nice stylish cable made with quality jacks and cable. This cable moves well while playing. This cable was silent and sounded great.
RapcoHorizon Dominator – Silver Flex
Price: $44.95
Connectors: G&H Industries
Wire:
Shielding:
Description:
Dominator cables are designed by active audio industry professionals with decades of experience in research and development, live performances, and professional audio installations. Because we know first hand the requirements of real-world systems, Dominator cables are engineered and constructed to deliver unparalleled reliable, true-to-life sound in your performance.
Dominator is a full line of audio interfacing cables which meet every live sound, studio recording, or installation need. We continually monitor emerging technologies so we can offer the cables and accessories required for leading-edge connections.
“Gold Tuned” cables are about choices…Sound Choices. Each type is designed to have a different effect on the tone of your guitar and amplifier. You pick the one that tells you what you want to hear.
Editors Notes:
This cable has a silver mesh cover on the cable, the cable moves well across the floor and sounds great. We did not experience any hiss while using this cable.
Lava Clear Connect Cable
Price: $45.95
Connectors: G&H Industries Pure Plug
Wire: .260
Shielding: 98% shielding
Description:
The Lava Clear Connect cable is Made in the U.S.A. and designed to be one of the very best guitar and instrument cable on the market. Featuring G&H Industries Pure Plug™ and Clear Connect Technology™- a patented process where the connectors are high-pressure crimped onto the cable, The Lava Clear Connect cable produces the purest signal path possible. At 26 pF per foot it’s capacitance has been designed at the sweet spot for intsrument cables. With a large outer diameter of .260”, 98% shielding, and 99.999% pure Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) for both the shield and conductor, it is a world-class cable capable of superb performance in all situations.
Editors Notes:
This is a nice stylish cable with orange ends. Would look great with an Orange Amplifier. We experienced a little bit if hiss but the cable sounded great while playing.
After running our tests on all 9 cables we felt there were alot of good cables in this batch but now to pick the best.
Again, our good friends at Morley Pedals helped us out by providing us with one of their Morley AB/Y Combiner Pedals.
Using this pedal we were able to take our selection of the best cables and quickly compare them to each other to shorten our list down to the 3 Winners we have selected below.
To be honest we were quite impressed with all the cables in this batch. It was very difficult to narrow it down to the 3 we selected. We would recommend all the cables in this review.
There are not any losers in this batch of cables, but in the nature of the Guitar Cable Showdown, we need to pick some winners.
Now it’s time to announce the winners:
Winners
Best Guitar Cables $30.00-$50.00
Fender Premium Gold Guitar Cable
This is a sharp looking cable that appears that it could put up with lots of abuse. During our sound test, it performed quite impressively. We like the 12′ length that this cable has to offer. This cable is well worth the $34.95 that we paid for this cable.
Planet Waves Circuit Breaker Guitar Cable
This is the 3rd Planet Waves cable that we have reviewed and their whole product line has been rock solid from their Classic Cable to their Circuit Breaker Cable. This cable sounds great and with the added touch of the Circuit Breaker Switch this cable is a top performer.
Mogami Guitar Cable
Mogami has a reputation of being a cable for professionals, this cable lived up to its reputation. This is a quality cable that sounds great. Get a professional cable at an affordable price.
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Disclaimer:
*This review was conducted by Red Dawg Guitar News which is not associated with any of the manufacturers in this review.
The items in this review were reviewed by a panel of 3 people then given to others that were not aware that this article was being written to get their impressions of the product.
After the review was completed some of these guitar cables were donated to students at local music schools in the area.
Some of the items in this review were provided by the manufacturer and Red Dawg Guitar News was not compensated for doing this review or endorsing these products.
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