HOW TO SOLDER - Instrument Cables

[TheBlackxism]

you need a fume extractor!!

[neiloler]

@TheBlackxism Nahhhh, just don't breathe the fumes and you're fine.

[cfh13]

iv got a fender cable that belonged to my dad.its older than me and im 25,it still works i just have to sauder it back on, my younger self broke it from lack of experience. but dam 25+ yrs

[rockandroll2001]

great videos, I'm thinking bout making my own cables now.  it'll be way cheaper and I've only had probs with cables I've bought. What is the name of those jacks you used?

[neslo1534]

Nice job. Thanks

[AlesandroMoon]

It's canary cable? and what are the jacks called?

[neiloler]

@AlesandroMoon Canare Cable.

[TheDaedalEVE]

@AlesandroMoon

They are Neutrik C Series. He's using a TS connector. It's an unbalanced interconnect.

[AlesandroMoon]

Or should I do this and spend a couple more bucks for another cable?

[AlesandroMoon]

Can I get a new connector but use my old cord since I broke the one side of the cord and where can I get the connectors?

[neiloler]

@AlesandroMoon If you dig the cable you have now, replacing the jack would be cheaper.

[AlesandroMoon]

Thanks, I broke my cable this helps

[arrayeniqma]

tq bro u r awesome...

[neiloler]

Thanks amigo! :)

[xorbelbeeb]

What kind of solder is best to use? I've heard talk that the more silver that's in it the better, but I can't seem to find any with higher than 3% silver. Thanks!

[neiloler]

Silver solder is slightly more conductive, but it's a topic of hot debate as to if it makes any difference.

I'd say stick with regular 60/40 solder. Silver solder is nice if you need to solder something that needs better mechanical strength, but I doubt you'll hear an amazing degree of difference in sound. It would probably be a better investment to get quality cable and quality connectors.

[adisharr]

The people that debate that are the same people that are convinced that Monster cable speaker wire is better than regular lamp cord.

In other words, it will make no measurable difference at all.

[nemesis4go10]

@adisharr

It does make a HUGE difference. The quality of the wire, and the technique you use to sold (and even how you grab the cable) make a very big difference in the overall quality of your input and output signal. The materials of the jacks and the quality of the building makes a huge difference too.

You can test the results by recording and comparing the noise, and the final waveform (one cycle) between different cable builds.

[adisharr]

@nemesis4go10 I think my comment applied to a different video - I agree, having used some poorly made instrument cords for some home recording. I must have been on the crack back then ;)

[RenderMan50]

The inner black pvc layer is conductive and needs to be stripped back away from the clear section underneath it. About a 1/4" of the clear should be visible.

Also, how does the Canare cable compare to the Mogami 2524 cable?

[neiloler]

....I don't think the PVC is conductive, as it's plastic...

I end up stripping the stuff back anyhow, as you need to to reveal the wire itself (the inner conductor).

I've not tried out Mogami cable, it seems over priced, so I've never made a point to try it out.

[RenderMan50]

it didn't make much sense to me neither but i've heard from several people that the pvc needs to be stripped back. they were talking about the mogami wire but since it's the same construction as the canare i'd think it would be the same.

[RenderMan50]

here's what one site says about the pvc:

Most musical instrument sound pick-ups such as those in electric guitars are comprised of high impedance circuits driven by voltage, in other words by very small electrical current flow. Therefore, so-called MICROPHONICS (noise) becomes a critical problem.

Guitar cables must be counter-measured against this, so, a conductive PVC layer is placed under the shield conductor in most cases even though it may have a bad affect on audio sound quality.

[RenderMan50]

Therefore, the conductive PVC (black carbon PVC) layer must be removed together with the shielding conductor when wiring, otherwise we receive a strange claim that the cable is shorting.

[neiloler]

I'l have to read up on that.

[m1ndNOVA]

Well, if this dude's been doing this (these cables) and using them without any problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

[inagod]

I like tinning the wires first,each to there own way.

[BlueBarrier782]

2 questions.

1. Where do you buy your connectors and Canare cable?

2. What are the differences in sound between nickel and gold on the connectors?

[neiloler]

Great questions:

1.) Lots of places, there's some good deals on ebay. I wouldn't pay more than about $4-$5 for them. There's an online store called Markertek, they're pretty good, but again shipping will be a beast, so buy in bulk.

2.) Not a thing. Gold is used on connectors because of its high resistance to collecting grime and gunk that can impede connection. There's no difference, and anyone who tells you they can actually hear a difference is selling something you don't need.

[boket5u]

Canary Cables? What about XLR Style cables man?

[neiloler]

Canare cables, it's the brand of cable I used.

Are you looking for a XLR soldering video? Hmmm.... :)

[boket5u]

yeah man, i'm a drummer so when my xlr cable comes loose it SUCKS. i'm using shure cables and my snare mic cable is blown

[therugburnz]

As a former employee of a cable manufacturer I would suggest making a jig to hold the iron instead of the jack.That is the way if you have to make more than 5 cables. We did it thiat way at Quantum, Horizon does it that way as well.

[neiloler]

That's a great idea! I never thought of that, haha, I'll have to try that the next time I'm making cables. :)

[rene495]

what gauge and temp did you use?

[neiloler]

Gauge of wire? I'm not sure about the gauge, it's Canare GS-6 cable.

Temp is around 700, I generally use as high a temp as I can get away with. This allows you to melt the solder fast so you don't have to hold the iron on your wire/part/etc too long, potentially causing uneeded heat damage.

[sangsaratrip]

great video!

I'm actually going to do the same setup

canare g6 and some neutrik plugs except nickels plugs, should I even use heat shrink wrap?

[neiloler]

I wouldn't worry about the heatshrink wrapping, the strain relief on these jacks are amazing and hold the cable in place really well.

Just make sure you cut the wire lengths to the right length before soldering. Check out Neutrick's webpage, they've got installation instructions with exact measurements.

[JMoForTheWin]

hey man awesome video, would have been completely lost with out it hah

[neiloler]

Awesome! Glad you got some use out of this vid! :)

[myso]

Very nice very nice! ;)

Enjoyed it a lot. By the way, I like your voice and the box trick is da best!!!

I really appreciate when people make videos like this just to help others. That's cool, people helping people without expecting anything. Love it, dude ;)

[neiloler]

Thanks for the kind words! :) I too love the DIY stuff available for free on the internet, I think it's awesome to see so many people interested in helping others without thinking about cost or price. Way cool.

[scorbass]

where would i get some cable to practice on...i just need some cheap cable until i start going for the higher end stuff...also would the connects be at radioshack?

[neiloler]

You can find most of what you need at Radio Shack, including the shielded cable.

[fenderman615]

OOOOOOOOOOOH TREATEEEEDDDD

[areciosmith]

thanks!!

[neiloler]

hey, I'm glad it was useful!

[bigtimv]

Dude, you've got to prep the wire with solder before soldering!

[neiloler]

It can make life easier, but you don't have to.

[RrahimStruja]

Yeah, I agree, plus you could leave the inner cable a bit loser, and the outer one shorter to prevent damage if the cable is pulled.

[xMatthias]

GOOD STUFF!  GOOD STUFF!

[srv6464]

Thanks neil! Great video. I was about to shell out $40 for a new cable, but I got linked here from the orange forums, and you've convinced me to try this!

Thanks a lot, man!

[wnorcott]

Thanks for the video Neil.  Where did you get the shielded cable?

[neiloler]

I got it from MarkerTekdotcom, they've got pretty standard prices, but watch out for the shipping: cost me $10 to ship $15 worth of stuff. :(

[BRADHblackdragon]

yeah cool video dude

[neiloler]

Thanks for checking it out! Be sure to spread the word!

[moondogg08]

Neil, you're a champ! This is exactly what I needed.

You wouldn't happen to know how to build a rocket capable of carrying a 200lb pound man into the atmosphere and returning him safely to earth, would you? Just curious. I have a friend (cough) who wants to know.

[neiloler]

Now THAT would be a HOW-TO video! :)

[GuitarMD2010]

Thanks Neil!

I appreciate you not studying to help us out!

~GuitarMD~

[neiloler]

Haha! Not a problem at all!