How to Buy A Guitar Cord or Cable

Guitar cords (or cables) are sold in a standard 1/4 inch jack size. Buy the right length and type of guitar cable in order to reduce buzz onstage. Some cables are also much more durable than others. Here's how to get a good guitar cable without overpaying for shielding or quality you don't need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Guitar cables run in price from a few dollars to about thirty dollars or more.
2. The more expensive a cable, the more durable it is, and the better it is shielded. Shielding refers to the way the guitar cable is wrapped in order to prevent feedback and interference from entering the cable and coming out your amp.
3. Cheap cables tend to buzz. The jacks wear out quickly, and they don't create a clean sound through powerful amps.
4. Most people use a combination of both inexpensive and expensive guitar cables. It's not necessary to run your whole set-up through Monster cables to get a good sound.
5. Buy mid-range, durable cables. Make sure you have extra cables in case one fails during a performance or while you are recording.
6. Never use cables that are too long for the task at hand. If you buy a 20 foot cable, you will get a lot more buzz than with a 10 foot cable. Connect your effects pedals together with short, one or two foot long cables, not full length cables.
7. If you need a long cable in order to play live, buy the highest quality cable you can afford in order to prevent buzz and hum on stage.