Have you ever wondered if spending on expensive guitar cables is worth it? Well there are ways they are better than the cheap guitar cables but there are times they are not worth the money paid.

In this blog post we will investigate this debated topic of whether expensive guitar cables justify the expense and debunk some of the myths that are attached to the expensive guitar cables.So lets begin!    

Types of Guitar Cables

Here's an overview of the six main types of guitar cables

Instrument Cables

Instrument cables input the guitar's signal into an amplifier or effects pedal. They are the most common cables guitarists used. Standardly, the wires are equipped with 1/4-inch Tip or Sleeve (T-S) connectors on each end.

They are made to carry the guitar’s sound, with the sole interest in interference and noise, which should not be far from nil.

Patch Cables

Patch cables are short cables that usually connect your pedalboard's effects to the input and output of your amplifier. Thanks to this, power loss is forgotten, and space is kept tidy. 

The most common type of guitar cable has right-angle plugs so that it can fit between your pedalboard and your instrument. The cables have the same length options as the instrument cables.

Balanced Cables

Balanced cables like TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) and XLR cables are used in high-quality devices that help fight noise over long distances. 

A typical example is XLR cables, which are usually used with studio equipment or balanced components, and subsequent signal output is much more precise than unbalanced.

Speaker Cables

Speaker cables comprise amplifiers and speakers and are responsible for handling high power loads within an audio system. Unlike instrument cables, they came with thicker wires to pass through the amplified sound without the loss. 

Among the cables for the speaker, only the correct ones would result in both unchallenged quality of sound and protection against shortage of power through safe delivery.

Coiled Cables

Coiled cables are renowned for having wire spirals. Their unique spiral design prevents one cable from tangling to another or from being sticky.

They are also very flexible. They give a retro look, so they belong mainly to those who prefer them for versatile options. Nevertheless, they can contribute to slight signal loss when compared to a cable length that is more significant than the average length they can handle.

Wireless Systems

Wireless systems do away with literally having to plug in and use physical cables, thus liberating the guitarist from having to remain in one place. 

They reach their orbit and communicate in that manner through the use of transmitters and special receivers. Though easy, they are still often subject to interference, and sometimes, they can produce slight degradation in sound quality compared to wired cable.

Expensive vs. Cheap Guitar Cables

Build Quality and Durability

Oxygen-free copper of fine quality and shielding of the best-class mixture are used in the construction of expensive guitar cables. 

Their joints are plated with gold to prevent corrosion. In contrast, low-cost cables are made of poor materials, and their shielding is very thin, which causes frequent breakages and short-term durability.

Sound Quality

Expensive guitar cables take sound seriously, providing signal loss resistance and preventing interference for a less cloudy, more accurate sound. 

They consider accuracy because the musical instruments they use are ideal for professional musicians who need the best sound. 

Even though cheap cables have noise issues that can damage the signal, this flaw is more noticeable in a professional studio or live performance situation.

Reliability

Expensive guitar cables, having better reliability due to their higher quality build, are preferred by many guitar users. 

Among other things, analog instruments require less frequent interventions such as cracking or popping, and signal loss is sometimes present during shows, which is the main issue during performances. 

When we talk about high cables, they have a tendency to work accurately over the long term without developing problems similar to low wires, which are prone to failures.

Aesthetics and Brand Prestige

Expensive guitar cables usually carry a degree of brand popularity, sporting craftsman finishes and paying more attention to detail than typical cables. 

Fans are often willing to spend for quality cables from trustable brands; it is one of the appeals for these musicians. From an opposite angle, cheap cables usually need to look more attractive and are inadequate in the professional environment.

Price vs. Value

Even though a high-street guitar cable may be dearer expensive, its overall price can stay much lower if the product possesses superior performance and resistance to wear and tear. 

The cheapest cables may need to be replaced several times in order to be usable. Although such cables will initially require a relatively small outlay of money, frequent repairs might, over time, add to the overall expenses.

Use Case and Personal Needs

Whether a severe musician or a beginner would prefer to spend the money on quality or cheap guitar cables depends on their needs. 

Regular musicians may consider high-sound quality and reliability when they have performances very frequently because they could encounter the same problem even using suitable cable the first time. 

But starting guitarists or hobbyists can use these cables, and they will also be sufficient in case they are needed very few times or their budget is limited.

The Myths about Premium Cables

Here are some myths about premium cables:

Better Sound Quality

Premium cables are often emphasized as delivering highly-quality sound because of their construction and materials. 

Despite their allegedly better sound quality and noiselessness, this difference is likely not enough for people who use musical instruments just for fun, not in the course of professional activities.

Here is a quick youtube video for a detailed view of if expensive guitar cables have better sound?

Increased Durability

Being one of the prevalent myths, premium cables are usually asserted to be more durable than others. 

Though they typically come pre-equipped with heavy-duty materials like metal shields and robust connectors, their wear and tear resistivity is also questionable, and they, too, may need to be replaced after some time use.

Superior Signal Transmission

One erroneous thought is that premium cable transmission signals need to be more spotty. They can reduce some data loss and unevenness to some degree. 

Still, other factors such as cable length, environmental conditions, and equipment configuration also play a more critical role in data quality. Top-quality bandwidth does not guarantee that there will be no distortion all the time.

Enhanced Performance

It is believed that high-end cables are the direct cause of instrument performance improvement, yet the truth is simply that there is no such straight connection. 

In the same way, contributing to a slightly cleaner signal and less noise, this effect doesn't have a significant financial impact on overall performance relative to such factors as the quality of an instrument, playing technique, and settings of the power supply. 

Cautioning that lightning-fast changes can not be only caused by purchasing costly cables can be necessary to prevent disenchantment from occurring.

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Guitar Cable

Here are top vital considerations to keep in mind:

Cable Length 

Shielding ensures minimal interference and allows the signal to travel unhindered on the cables. The cable must be joined with the proper route to enable peak performance. 

However, the concerns of longer cables (and signal degradation) should push you towards a choice that will be removed from the noise level to any extent. Good quality shielding is particularly credible when lengthy cables are used for the guitar signal transmission course.

Cable Type 

Select instruments and pick the patch and audio cable types according to their particular sound applications. 

One instrument cable connects your guitar to an amplifier, while the other is patch cables that link the pink. The cable, known as the speaker cable, connects the amplifiers to the speakers.

Connector Type 

Connectors compatible with the device in terms of variety and ease of use are vital. Determining whether straight or angled joints work well for your setup and taste is a separate aspect. 

Further, the critical factor is using good-quality connecting elements to preserve an excellent and reliable bond while decreasing signal loss. 

Connectivity becomes simple when the correct connector type is used with the perfect cable length. It improves the ease of operation and signal transmission efficiency as well.

Shielding

Shielding is more than necessary to reduce the noise and keep the signal quality in the guitar cables since the signal is often exposed. 

Ensure the wires incorporate shielding materials that perform well against electromagnetic interference (EM or EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). For example, copper braiding or materials that conduct polymer is helpful. 

The noise-free and clean signal your guitar gets to transmit is mainly caused by the excellent shielding of electricity in your environment, hence the signal your guitar transmits.

Durability 

Make sure you buy the cable that will be a great lifelong companion, even more so if you believe in a busy performance schedule. 

Seek quality cable construction with reinforced connectors and durable materials used for insulation to ensure that signal quality and reliability are not compromised by studio and stage session conditions.

Flexibility 

Cable flexibility for guitars is indispensable for perfect use and proper manoeuvring on game stages or music records. 

Choose cables with enough bendability to avoid instances of interconnection through the equipment circuits. A flexible cable can, on the other hand, increase durability by reducing strain on connectors and insulation. 

The cable materials and design should offer the preferred level of flexibility while sensors keep their original performance.

Budget 

Consider the budget limit if opting between cable brands. This is why high-end cables often have such performance and durability, as they have high price tags.

Nevertheless, there are also cost-effective options you can opt for, which are excellent in their performance, even for occasional or casual users. 

Evaluate your main intentions and set limitations upon your budget to discover wires that could achieve the balance between quality and price.

Brand Reputation 

When choosing a cable for your guitar, look for a brand of cable that is already well-known and established because you are investing in the quality of their products. 

Even with wires, the brands that have been around long enough and have proven to produce top-quality audio equipment will maintain high reliability and durability. 

Examining customer reviews and feedback will help you understand the brand's image in aspects of performance, long-term reliability, and customer service. 

Selecting a premier brand is essential to reassure oneself about the consistency of the cable and its reliability. Such a feature benefits musicians in both performances and recording sessions.

List of Top Guitar Cables 

Here we have a list of top six guitar cables

Pack of 10 Guitar Cables

        

Image sourced from Reddit

Each guitar cable in this pack of 10 guitar cables is a 20 ft long ¼ inch straight-end cable. Each cable has braided copper shielding, which helps with electrostatic reduction.

Specifications

• The wire used is 24 AWG wire 
• Each wire has an 8 mm rubber jacket
• There is ¼ gold plated male jack on both ends of the cable
• Each wire is 20 ft long

 

Pros

• The cable is made of high-quality material, which aids in its durability.
• The cable has an excellent clarity of sound, and there is appropriate noise reduction.
• The cable is flexible and easy to handle, which relieves the user of the hassle.

Cons

• There is no right-angle cable option in these cables
• Not for you if you want one cable

 

Here is what our client Virginia Mertz has to say about our product 

Decent cables for cheap.

This box o’ 1/4” cables arrived right before I had to run sound for my band and three others at a small local festival. That’s me playing bass in the photo. Great to have a little box of spares to roll up to the gig with. I wound up needing one and was impressed with the robust connector and standard gauge of cable, though I did not disassemble one to assess the quality and thickness of the copper. But these seem to be the real deal. It worked fine, no issues. Seems worth the $7 per cable after tax. I plan on using most of them to wire up keyboards and such around the home studio. Would buy again.If you’re running a sound system that is tens of thousands of dollars, you may want to upgrade. Hobbyists and club gigging musicians will dig these.

Here is an another customer review by Mikayla Connelly

Good cables

Surprisingly good cables for a very low cost. Keep spares on hand. [About a year later: cables still working well; no issues whatsoever.]

XLR Female to Male Jack Microphone Cables

Image sourced from Geekstands

This XLR Female to Male Jack microphone cable pack contains four 20-foot cables, each with a 12-strand copper conductor. 

Specifications

• The length of the cable is 20 ft
• The connector types are XLR female to ¼ male jack.
• The cable has optimum shielding 

 

Pros

• The cable is durable, making it last for a long time.
• The cable is versatile for connecting microphones to any sort of instrument or mixer.
• The cable has excellent quality and noise reduction

Cons

• This cable might not be suitable for all instrument types
• The cable might be a bit bulky for some setups

 

IRIN 6m/10m Audio Cable 

Image sourced from Reddit

The IRIN 6m/10m Audio Cable is a straight-cone guitar cable. It is designed to be noise-free, which is a highlighting feature of the product.

Specifications

• The length of the cable is 6 meters and 110 meters
• The cable comes in different colors
• The material used is high-quality copper
• The shielding of the guitar cable makes it noise-free

 

Pros

• The noise-free design of the guitar cable comes in handy for the production of a clear sound.
• The different length makes it a versatile option.
• There are different colors available, increasing the choice of options for the customers.
• The cable is made durable, so can last for a longer time

Cons

• The cable is limited to straight connectors only
• The price might be an issue for some customers

 

XLR Male to 6.35mm Audio Cable

 Image sourced from reddit 

The XLR male to 6.35mm Audio Cable is an aluminum 6.35mm and a zinc alloy metal shell (XLR) cable. 

Specifications

• The length of the cable ranges from 1-30 meters.
• The connector is XLR Male to 1/4" TS Male
• The cable has appropriate shielding 
• High-quality copper material is used in the construction of the cable

 

Pros

• The XLR Male to 6.35mm Audio cable is ideal for microphones, amplifiers, and mixers.
• The cable is made from high-quality materials, which helps the cable last a long time.
• The shielding helps achieve the appropriate sound quality with lesser distortion.

Cons

• This cable might be limited to some audio setups
• The cable might be a bit bulkier for some users

 

Braided Guitar Cable 3m/5m (High Elastic PVC)

   

Image sourced from reddit 

 

The braided guitar cable 3m/5m is a guitar cable that comes in straight as well as angular connectors.  

Specifications

• The length of the guitar cable is 3 metres and 5 metres
• The cable is made up of braided with high elastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• The shielding of the cable is appropriate 

 

Pros

• The design and the material used in the cable are quite durable. High elastic PVC helps make the cable more sturdy. 
• The cable is highly flexible and, at the same time, has strength 
• The cable provides an overall aesthetic appeal with the braided exterior

Cons

• The braided design makes the cable a bit bulky 
• The length option might be limited for some users

 

Sonicake Braided Guitar Cable 3m/6m

Image sourced from Reddit

The sonicake braided guitar cable is a 24 AWG copper conductor guitar cable, which is made of high quality TPE material. 

Specifications

• The length options for the cable are 3 and 6 metres
• The connector type that is used is straight 
• The cable has good shielding 
• The material used is the braided type in the design 

 

Pros

• The braided design helps make the cable appealing and more durable.
• The cable has high-quality sound production with optimum noise reduction 
• The cable is easy to manage

Cons

• The price may be an issue
• The cable only has straight connectors 

 

Here is a comparison table for the products:

Product	Best For	Highlighting Feature	Pros	Cons
The Best Guitar Instrument Cables	General use, high-quality sound	Excellent sound clarity	Durable, flexible, good noise reduction	No right-angle option
XLR to Jack Mic Cables	Microphone connections	Versatile connector types	Versatile, durable, good sound quality	Not suitable for all instruments, can be bulky
IRIN 6m/10m Audio Cable (No Noise)	Long-distance, clear sound	Noise-free design	Noise-free, multiple lengths, durable	Limited to straight connectors, higher price for longer
XLR Male to 6.35mm Audio Cable	Microphone to amplifier/mixer	Strong and durable construction	Ideal for specific setups, strong build, good sound	Limited to specific setups, bulkier
Braided Guitar Cable 3m/5m (High Elastic PVC)	Durability and aesthetics	Braided design with PVC	Durable, flexible, aesthetically appealing	Braided design might be bulky, limited length options
Sonicake Braided Guitar Cable 3m/6m	Durability and sound quality	High-quality braided design	Durable, good sound, flexible	More expensive, limited to straight connectors

Why You Should Choose GeekStands for Guitar Cables

We at Geek Stands provide our customers with high-quality products with features like high capacitance, secure connectors, and the best shielding.

The high capacitance of the guitar cable helps maintain the guitar's high-frequency response and tonal integrity, which in turn improves the clarity and brightness of the sound.

The presence of secure connectors helps ensure the secure and stable connection of the guitar cables. This reduces the risk of signal disturbance and ensures consistent performance. With better shielding, signal loss is minimized.

All these features help enhance customer satisfaction, which aids in building customer trust in our services.

So, if you are looking to buy guitar cables, look no further than Geekstand. Do visit us!