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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 04/10/2006 : 23:01:06
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| I was wondering if anyone has used some of the solderless connection style cables that are out there? Either as patch cables or instrument cables, and if so, what did you think? I'm wondering because I have heard great things about George L cables, but the cable looks flimsy and I do not see how they can say that there is no loss of sound and signal quality in the cords if nothing is really hardwired in the connection. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 07:12:30
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George L cables are very, very good soundwise and yes they are flimsy.
The solderless plugs for George L means trouble, sooner or later. They fit fine for a while but screws will loosen and the wearing at the fasteningpoints will "eat" the cable.
So, if possible, use George L with good quality soldered plugs.
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indytone
Bronze Member
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2006 : 15:09:07
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I've heard too many stories of people moving their pedal boards from gig to gig and the cables coming undone due to the George L connectors. I was looking into them too until I read about that happening.
I ended up buying a roll of cable and some connectors and making my own cables. I was able to make them to the lengths I wanted and it ended up costing me less than $25 to outfit my entire pedalboard that way. |
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stahlhart
Platinum Member
1318 Posts |
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diggum12
Silver Member
USA
282 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2006 : 18:50:27
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Grrr. 
Look, I don't have stock in George L's and am not getting paid to say this, but you are all wrong on this one. I've used George L's for EVERYTHING including my guitar & amp cable for 9 months, gigging twice a week, practicing 3 or 4 times a week, and have NEVER EVER had a problem with them needing to be retightened, reset, or recut. These people who have had these problems either can't read or follow directions.
I don't see how they're "flimsy." They're much more robust than the crappy patch cables I threw away. If Kip Dynamite is tigthtening down your George L's, then yes, they're going to come undone. I'll send my 3 year old son over to help anyone if they can't tighten them down by themselves.  I saw Eric Johnson running around on stage a few years ago and I seriously doubt someone like him would be sold on a cable that "flimsy" for so many years. But hey, if you want to argue with him go ahead...
On a less argumentative note (sorry for the rant) the Planet Waves solderless kit looks very good as well. 
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2006 : 07:15:55
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George L cable is one of the best cable you will ever find, soundwise.
I used the solder less plugs some years ago, for short patch cables and the main cables.. But after a while I got trouble, bad connections. An easy fix if you know what cable went bad, but if it happens during a gig��
So I after that use George L with soldered plugs, done by myself.
The small diameter George L is flimsy if you use it without twisting it up when you use it, if you do that carefully it�s no problem.
I love George L cables, but the solder less connections isn�t good enough for me.
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stahlhart
Platinum Member
1318 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2006 : 23:21:17
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For me personally, I would just assume stay with the .250" cable throughout, even for the shorter patch cables. If you go with soldered connectors, just about all of them are mechanically designed to be used with that diameter cable anyway (strain relief clamps, cable pass-through openings in connector handles, etc.). I can see that with the solderless GeorgeL connectors there are provisions for using the thinner cable, though.
Typically larger diameter wire has lower resistance, and less attenuation at higher frequencies due to the "skin effect". But for short patches and at audio frequencies such things are probably not relevant at all, and it's just mechanical issues that matter.
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RossL
Bronze Member
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2006 : 16:29:56
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I've been using George L's for a while. Not really sure if I like them. They can be finickey to work with.
I have found using the solderless connections it helps to use a small vise grip to tighten the thumb wheels. They won't come loose after that. I also use an ohm meter to check the cable after I assemble it to make sure all readings are less than 1 ohm.
I find that these two steps (vise grip and meter) help a great deal.
I think soldered connections are still the best way to go |
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stratman
Silver Member
Australia
283 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2006 : 04:39:57
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Now my BOSS collection is starting to grow, my next purchase will be cables.
I'm pretty convinced I'll go with the George L .155 but have a couple of questions for you guys...
A little background to help in answering my questions... I'll be fixing my pedals to my board with those bicycle chain kits that some people are selling - although I'll just use my own links/screws to save a few $$$. This way there won't be a lot of movement of the actual pedals. And I plan on setting up the board with the ones that I'll use all the time so I won't be chopping and changing them around much.
So...
1. How less flexible is the .255 compared with the .155? - especially considering some of my patch cable runs will be quite "tight" and "bendy"?
2. Has anyone compared the two sound-wise?
3. To save space I've looked at the Switchcraft 228 right-angle plugs but was wondering how much extra space the George L solderless plugs take up, if at all? - my board is going to be pretty full!
Thanks in advance! |
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diggum12
Silver Member
USA
282 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2006 : 23:16:43
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Boy I really don't know. I would assume the .255 cable is more rigid. I know George's L's recommends the .155 for pedals.
Soundwise I believe they should be indentical.
If you place the rubber boots onto the plugs, then they do take up just a little more room. |
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stratman
Silver Member
Australia
283 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2006 : 01:08:17
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Thanks diggum12.
I reckon, if I do go with the solderless plugs, I'll leave the rubber boots off.
I reckon they look really cool without them, but that's just me. |
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FenderBender
Copper Member
Thailand
13 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 13:46:19
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This may be hard to believe but I've been using exactly the same cables for more than 30 years. They're called Easy Lock and I don't think they're in business any more. I've never ever had one fail while gigging but I cut about an inch off every once in a while just for the hell of it. Sometimes I'll redo a jack just to show another player just to freak him out. Of coarse I usually use a meat cleaver just for dramatic effect. "Smack!"
They came in a thick cable and a thin one. I used to have the thick ones but they were too thick for my taste. I've currently got 3 thin ones. I've since misplaced the thick ones but I really wish I could get them back now.
The company also made a right angle version and now I'm kickin' myself in the ass for not buying about 100 of them.
I'll try to upload a typical connection to illustrate.
Download Attachment:  EZ_001.jpg
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These are the two different guages.
Download Attachment: EZ_002.jpg
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The chop! With meat cleaver off coarse; for the dramatic effect!
Download Attachment: EZ_003.jpg
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Here we have the components being studied in the CSI lab after the violent termination. The yellow cable label also came from Easy Lock. I kept it for sentimental reasons; I suppose it would be handy for those who forget where to plug the cable into.
Download Attachment: EZ_004.jpg
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All the duck in a row.
Download Attachment: EZ_005.jpg
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Taaah..Daaah! The cable is back to life. Plugged it in; works perfect; crisp and clean and no caffine.
I've read the Sinkfoot article and he does present a good case but 30+ using exactly the same cables (4 of 'em) I'd have to disagree with his conclusion. |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 16:16:49
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I love the George L's, and under some circumstances, yes, they can loosen and fail, but it's pretty unlikely under normal conditions. They sound very good, and look great as well.
The .255 size is very nice and hangs like a normal cable.
the .155 are sweet for pedal boards as the ends don't take up ANY real estate perpendicular to the jack/plug.
Evidence Audio makes their Monorail cable which can be used with the .155 George L's ends (maybe thicker too) very expensive but very nice.
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I know some people who use the Planet Waves solderless kit - the kit is nice, but the right-angle solderless ends are way too big for convenient use in a pedal board. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 19:54:34
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"I know some people who use the Planet Waves solderless kit - the kit is nice, but the right-angle solderless ends are way too big for convenient use in a pedal board."
i have to disagree..i used up two of the planet wave kits on my 'board and never had a problem...easy to fit and use plus they came with the tool to cut the cable neatly and excellent instructions on how fit the connectors right..much better the the el cheapo set length cables guitar shops normally sell and as i was building my own board these worked much better for the way i wanted to wire it...ok i will concede if your using a DD-3 and trying to use the direct out it could be a problem,but IMHO Boss put this output in the most silly place it could find..it should be over beside the wet output on the pedal like the stereo outs on other boss pedals.... i use nearly all the inputs and outputs on a LS-2(i don't use the return on loop B) without any problemos with the planet waves jacks........... |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 21:59:28
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Those Easy Locks are sweet. I had one cable back in the day with them. Today, shrink wrap tubing does the same thing but is an extra step to re-termination.
I have mostly Monster. SwitchCraft, Mogami, & Neutrik plug ends seem to be the best.. easily repaired. I've heard only a handful of folks who like the George-Ls but tons of people experience problems.
I say use quality ends you can work with. Most of the cables are roughly the same. I posted a link about a month ago to a site that tested the cables side by side consistent sound samples of each. Hell, there was one guy who took a metal wire coat hanger & turned it into a cable & noone could tell the difference between it & the high-end brands for signal quality & tone. |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2009 : 01:48:04
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Franz: all I meant was that they don't offer any really small-profile plugs. The normal George L's right angle is like a cubic centimetre, and you can cram a bunch of them together relatively easily (also very nice as extremely short jumpers).
PW's kit is nice - the cable is nice and heavy and the cutter is a great touch. They're also about 60% the price of the George L's kit right now (which is grossly overpriced).
Interestingly enough, PW's "circuit breaker" cable has solderless ends on it (as it comes packaged from the factory).. not their usual molded ends.
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Solderless Cables
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