Best Guitar Cables for Quality Audio
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Monster Prolink Monster Classic Guitar Cable -
Alessandro Instrument Two Guitar Cable -
Monster Classic Straight Guitar Cable -
PRS Guitars 25ft Guitar Cable -
Spectraflex Fatso Flex Right Angle Instrument Cable -
Buyer's Guide
Many people regard instrument cables as an afterthought, a mere accessory that has no real impact on the sound or performance of an instrument like the guitar. These people would do well to do their research since guitar cables are absolutely crucial in the realm of signal flow. They can deliver high quality audio or be the factor responsible for the deterioration of said signal. Here are the best guitar cables in 2022, with each selection available in multiple lengths to fit your configuration, offered in straight to straight setups that are ideal for quickly and smoothly plugging a guitar into an amp or pedal, and are equipped with multiple layers of noise-handling protection to ensure your signal is clear and not diluted by excess audio artifacts.
Here are the best guitar cables of 2022
Monster Prolink Monster Classic Guitar Cable - Best Guitar Cable Overall
Monster’s Cable Studio Pro 1000 instrument cable provides a luxury service for an experience which many people aren’t even aware that there could be better options. The heavy-duty 24k gold-plated contact high current connectors are built to last and resist any kind of corrosion. The heavy-duty body shell of the cable is also easier to grab and handle, so you’ll never get tangled up when you plug in or out of your axe. Also worth mentioning is the responsiveness of this cable is instantaneous so you’ll never deal with any minuscule delay when hitting a string. Whether you’re looking for a cable to take with you onstage or to use in recording environments, Monster’s Cable Studio Pro 1000 is a must-have for any professional guitarist.
Alessandro Instrument Two Guitar Cable - Runner Up
Alessandro’s Instrument Two guitar cable features many of the same design specs of the original Instrument One product; you’ve got Teflon and foam insulation and silver-plated copper to deliver a flat and dynamic frequency response that also prevents against any unwanted distortion or “noise” in the signal. But moving beyond the entry-level nature of the Instrument One, the Instrument Two ups the ante. While it uses the same conductors as its predecessor, it is double balanced, creating a noticeable increase in dynamics and response. You’ll be able to hear detail and nuances in the signal that would be inaudible with a lesser cable. The Instrument Two is also available in 1-foot, 3-foot, 12-foot, and 20-foot options, which means you’ll be able to find one that works best for your situation.
Monster Classic Straight Guitar Cable - Honorable Mention
The Monster Classic cable harkens back to the days of the ‘70s, when the company unveiled its first product onto the market. Years later, they may have made additions to their catalog, but the demand for the original product still remains strong. All metal connectors and 90 percent copper shielding have made this durable, great-sounding cable capable of providing an accurate and responsive signal that will help your playing. The flexibility of the cable itself still allows for easy maneuverability whether you’re onstage or in the studio because the last thing that you want is to be tangled up in cables! Finally, this cable comes with a lifetime warranty, meaning that you’ll never have to worry about going without a Monster cable for the rest of your life.
PRS Guitars 25ft Guitar Cable - Consider
One great advantage that the PRS Instrument Cable has for guitarists is that (unlike other more generalized instrument cables) it was designed specifically with guitars in mind. Paul Reed Smith Guitars and Van Damme Cabling both understand how crucial the signal flow running through cables is to the overall tone and performance of the instrument, so they took special care to build a product that would be easy to handle and promote a pristine signal. The tight construction and multiple layers of protection on the cable keep the noise out and preserve the fidelity, while all connectors are equipped with a hermetically sealed reed switch, so you can play this thing out without worrying about corrosion. PRS offers 10, 18, and 25 foot lengths for their cable, and all sizes are available in straight to straight or straight to right angle setups which give you the flexibility which works best for your particular setup.
Spectraflex Fatso Flex Right Angle Instrument Cable - Best Guitar Cable
When Spectraflex implemented Neutrik Plugs into their original line of guitar cables, the N-Flex series was born. These plugs are the thinnest available A-gauge 1/4 inch plugs, and the precise one-piece tip contact provides a smooth entry into instruments; these are designed to last. Perhaps most notable about the Spectraflex brand as a whole is the sheer variety of colors and patterns they offer in the rugged nylon braiding on their cables. While most cables serve a purely functional purpose, Spectraflex understands that sometimes you want to express your creative individuality, and the best way to do that is by sporting a bright pink cable while onstage. But these things aren’t just style over substance; the state of the art construction on the N-flex captures a widened frequency response and keeps the noise out of your signal. Just because your visual style is loud doesn’t mean that the artifacts in your signal flow have to be.
Buyer's Guide
Complete Buyer’s Guide For The Best Guitar Cables 2021
Guitar cables are crucial for ensuring that signals are delivered efficiently and high quality audio is attained. There is no point in buying a high quality and expensive electric guitar if you plan to use a substandard cable. With the wide range of guitar cables available in the market, it can be time consuming to browse and pick the right one for you. We have made the job easier for you by preparing this complete guide to help you choose the best guitar cables in 2021.
What Are Some Factors To Consider Before Buying A Guitar Cable?
Having a little background knowledge will help you when you go shopping for a guitar cable. Here are a few things you should be mindful of.
Length
The normal rule of thumb is that the shorter the cable, the better the sound. There is a positive relationship between the length of the cable and factors like unwanted noise and frequency loss. Longer cables also cause issues like signal loss. Make sure that you do not buy a longer cable than you need. The length of a guitar cable should be 25ft maximum.
Conductor Material
The best material for guitar cables is copper. However, there is still debate about what kind of copper will be the best material for a guitar cable. Oxygen-free copper is purer than standard copper so they are better conductors and transmit signals better. It may be a bit expensive, but it will be worth it if you are looking for a perfect signal and durability.
Insulation Material
A guitar cable should have a low capacitance because it improves high frequency response and it minimizes triboelectric noise. For this reason, the insulation material used for the cable should have as low a capacitance as possible. Polythene and other thermoplastics are good materials for the insulation of guitar cables because they have lower capacitance than others like rubber.
Budget
You need to keep your budget in mind when you are browsing for a guitar cable. Good guitar cables which have oxygen-free copper will cost more than those that use standard copper. However, these cables will also last longer and give you better performance. So, if you have the budget, you should opt for the oxygen-free copper cables.
What Are The Different Types Of Shielding Used In Guitar Cables?
Another important factor that you should consider when buying a guitar cable is the shielding. The shield helps prevent outside electromagnetic signals from interfering with the signals coming from your guitar. One of the main issues with cheap guitar cables is the crackling sound they produce when moved. To avoid this, you can choose one of three types of shielding.
Braided Shielding
Braided shielding is the most durable and protects against both EMI and RFI. It offers good resistance to outside electromagnetic signals, but it reduces flexibility and is more expensive than other alternatives.
Spiral Wrap Shielding
Spiral wrap shielding provides a good balance between protection and flexibility. It will provide decent sound, and is cheaper than braided shielding.
Foil Shielding
Foil shielding is the most commonly used shielding in low quality and cheap guitar cables. It is prone to breaking and causing interference when moved. It is the least durable out of all and the cheapest.
How Did We Choose Our Top Picks?
Since there is limited and vague information available on how to choose the right guitar cables, we understand it can be difficult to find the one for you. To make the job easier for you, we did thorough research so that we can bring to you the best guitar cables in the market. Here are a few things we took into consideration when shortlisting our top picks list.
Reviews
There is no better way to judge the quality of a guitar cable than to read the reviews of people who have bought and used it themselves. When looking at different brands, we compared the overall response of customers to the cable, and only picked those that had mostly positive reviews.
Brand
We want to make sure that you can contact the brand in case of any questions or issues you may face, even after you have bought from them. Therefore, we prioritized those brands that provided good customer service and gave a warranty on their product.
Value
There is nothing worse than spending on a product and getting disappointed because you feel it is not worth the price. We compared the features and prices of different brands to make sure that the guitar cable you buy will provide value for the price you pay.
How To Maintain A Guitar Cable?
Once you have bought the best guitar cable, there are a few things you can do to take care of it and make it last longer. Make sure that when you are using it, keep it away from heavy equipment like speakers so that it doesn’t get smashed. Organize it so that it does not come in the way of people and no one steps on it. Keep the shielding protected because it will help in preventing noise and making sure that the signals are transmitted perfectly.
Once you are done using them, you need to store them in the proper way. Coil them up in a circle so there are no sharp bends or kinks because they can damage the shielding. Avoid coiling them up randomly to make them last longer. To clean the cable, use a damp cloth and wipe it to remove dirt. You can spray the connectors and jacks with a contact cleaner and wipe them with a clean cloth. Make sure you clean your cables every few weeks, or more if you use them regularly and perform live gigs.
FAQs
Is it better to have a thicker guitar cable?
Yes, a thicker guitar cable will be more durable than a thinner one, and it will also increase the strength of the signal path. A thin cable may break quickly when coiled or twisted.
Are shorter, but cheaper guitar cables better than longer ones?
Yes, a shorter cable is better than a longer one, if there is a significant difference in length. A $15 short guitar cable will probably work better than a $30 much longer cable. Expensive does not always mean better quality.
Are gold plated guitar cables worth it?
Some people think that gold plated cables are better than nickel or silver. However, this is not the case because all of these are good conductors. Gold-plated cables may last longer because they are less corrosive, but it is not worth the extra money.
