How To Build A Better Instrument Cable

www.tubedepot.com/how-to-build... Details how to build a studio quality instrument cable, including how to solder and assemble a connector, cut wire shields and use a heat gun on heat shrink. Hosted by Robert Hull, Director of Technical Services for TubeDepot.com.

[@johnb7009]

2:13 "It's goggle time". His life was building up to that moment :)

[@Myamptech]

John Budden - that's a funny line. that one line gets a lot of comments.

[@phantomlord91]

"Wow... That is so tight... It's great..."

[@hungmichael8]

IV-I-XIV-XIV I immediately went down to comments after he said that...did not dissappoint

[@Davioc04]

That's what she said!

[@pedrococo]

Still the best DIY instrument cable tutorial after all those years.

[@chipcaronte]

14 years and it's the best video on this subject I have seen. Appreciated, thanks!

[@jeffkrebs]

An example of tech as an artform. This was wonderful, I wish my hands were that steady when soldering.

[@sweepbopper]

Thank you Robert. I am a DIY person and this tutorial and the resources available through TubeDepot are priceless. Thanks for showing me how to fish.

[@ViaticalTree]

Finally got around to making a cable with your instructions and the same components. Other than my solder joints not being quite as pretty it came out great! It'll make a great Christmas gift for my bass playing buddy. Now to make some for me. Thanks Robert!

[@fallingmanjutsu]

Thanks Rob for making these videos, Great energy. I hope you make more!

[@208414]

I just made one of these cables and it was a fun project that gave me a great feeling and professional looking product at the end.

[@thevileirish6764]

I've fixed a bunch of cables or replaced the jacks over the years but I definitely learned a couple things today. Thanks for the video

[@LateNightYinzer]

Incredible how strong those amphenol terminals are. I rolled a cable with those over a decade ago. The housings are now heavily worn with dings and scratches (some even made deliberately trying to break it), but they still function perfectly. Never need tightened up either like the Switchcraft design stuff. Only draw back is how f'ing hard it is to get those suckers on. It was a 2 men with vice grips kinda job, but it definitely paid off.

[@Igaveyoumyfakename]

Thanks, Paul Rudd. You're a very talented man.

[@solicitutoob]

Great video! I was getting tired of fixing my old cables as well. Now, I make my own cables. I buy the cable in bulk and buy the jacks. For longer cables, it a good way to save some money.

[@guitartec]

Thanks again for the great explanation. I typically keep to totally passive circuitry, both on the axe and the floor.

[@madmax18840]

Golden rule of knives broken at 3:25. That being said, this dude is incredible. Wish I was an electrical engineer or whatever...

[@dellinger08]

Very nice cord. I got pretty much this same set up and wow. Took me little bit to get the soldering down, but I'm getting better. Thanx for the great vid by the way it helps a lot.

[@VincenzoCaccavale]

thanks for the quick reply, great advice!

[@rachoahu]

Dude, you are such a nerd! That's a compliment. Thanks for the great tips. You know what you're talking about. I've never seen anyone get so excited about a cable. Unless, of coarse, as BubbaSmurfingSon noted, "that's what she said."

[@PaulGaijin]

Loved this video, think I'm going rewire my entire rig! Cheers!

[@fugitive1201]

@8:38 "wow, that is so tight. That is GREAT." haha, good video. I'll have to make one now.

[@derekso5994]

Very Clear representation! Great Job!

[@eve2130]

Awesome DIY video. Thanks!

[@ludak357]

finally, someone who knows to pre flux the copper before tining it. BRAVO SIR!!!

[@msgvb]

nice job, guys, enjoyed the soldering tricks, too.

[@simonfarmery]

@TubeDepotTV Thanks again!! I'll look into that!

[@barrydunn9206]

I put one of these together and there are a couple of places where I ran into easy to solve issues. First when you go to put the first backshell over the TechFlex, it seems straightforward in the video. I had to use a piece of tape to keep the TechFlex "closed" and "pointed" to get it through the backshell. It also makes getting the other parts for the second end easier to get on. The TechFlex is like working with a spring. Also when you go to solder the second connector on the cable it is helpful to pull the TechFlex away from the end (bunching it up) and then use a piece of tape to hold it against the cable. Afterwards just take off the tape and the TechFlex will spring back to the end. The other thing is that is was very hard to pull the main connector portion over the TechFlex and cable. The extra little bit of diameter makes it tough to compress the purple cable clamp down enough. If you don't get the connector down all the way, the portion which plugs into the guitar/amp comes out at an angle. I also cut the soldered shielding off as tight as possible but still had to file off the "stub" left behind to help get the connector to go over everything. In the end is is a nice looking cable that feels quite solid. I'll probably make a couple more for an effects loop send/return.

[@PaulGaijin]

Yeah, can't wait to get started, while I'm at it I might aswell rewire my cab as the wire's used are a bit flimsy and the connectors have corroded! Thanks again man, goggle scene was a laugh too, keep up the great work and videos!

[@mitchellboomphi]

Awesome tutorial.

[@houndawg3]

I've found that the heat shrink isn't needed with thw techflex and the build looks cleaner without it. It doesn't add much in the way of strain relief anyway. I only use heat shrink when not using Techflex and it goes under the housing.

[@djspam80]

great video i must say you go into great detail thanks

[@guitarhero9616]

great men!!!! THANKS SO MUCH.

[@willford8475]

Great videos thanks

[@guitartec]

Thanks. I think I read it already, but will check it out and reread it again. It was good stuff.

[@uprightboy]

ha ha Overstreet! I stumbled on this vid and here you are. Love yall!

[@KyleCarrington]

Excellent Video.

[@corywekerle6862]

I noticed a huge difference with the high clarity plug, it sounded like I had a 2 ft cable instead of a 20 foot cable. The capacitence dropped so much that the sound produced was more natural than any other I used. Most people I know say a cable is a cable so I did a blind test at Sam Ash and the cables with the G&H connector won hands down 8 out of 10 times. One person said it was nice to hear what he wanted to with out the use of an e.q. I to have used them all but was just suggesting G&H.

[@jay7ifty5even]

I got the red techflex, although I'm also quite partial to the patriot coloring! Maybe I'll get that one for my next cable. I bought everything you used in the video: Mogami cable, Amphenol connectors, techflex, and heat shrinks...

[@DaedalEVE]

BEST SOLDERING VIDEO EVER!!!!

[@nojyeloot]

Thank you. Will do.

[@Frutoses]

@commetsmasher Rofl, I noticed how he made all those sounds but the closing my eyes experience took it to a whole new level.

[@jaj145]

@TubeDepotTV Thanks for the info, I'll see what i can do.

[@FreeThink1984]

wish i had listened to the type of cable to buy...went to radioshack and bought some cheap cable with braided shield and it's so much harder (well, maybe because i am new to this) to work with :( will be ordering this cable from tubedepot next time lol, thanks for the great vids they really help

[@EddcunninghamPEG]

I've finally managed to locate some Tech Flex in the UK, is it the 1/4" size I want? Awesome video btw!

[@rohanrobey1545]

Thank you so much for hearing me out...well im an ameture i thought of building a guitar amplifier probably a tube amplifier or a solid state amp.So where do i start with that . The circuit schematics,the components used.This is a project ive always wanted to do but never really had the guidance to start of. looking forward to your reply

[@Sanguine94x]

very informational and very educational, 10/10 must watch if your trying to do the exact same thing! it will help you alot start to finish!

[@TubeDepotTV]

Glad you liked the video. There are a few others dealing with cables and soldering.

[@TheCellCH]

cut the shield to the right lenght before you fix it so you have a nice end and you can prevent microcracks if you are carefully you can use a lighter for the heat shrink

[@alvarez1284]

@TubeDepotTV THANKS!!!!!!!

[@RombusEvilBones]

@TubeDepotTV Thanks for the reply! Very clear. :D

[@ZoeyBoey365]

You should trim the shield cable before you solder it to ground. After it is sticking through the hole. You can occasionally damage the connection trimming it up afterward, especially if you end up cutting into the soldered joint.

[@Chromatype]

Rob...you da MAN!

[@Merchantior]

its better to cut the shield shorter than the centercontuctor, so if you pull on the cable the the force is applied on the shield, which usually is stronger than the conductor.

[@RabidGerry]

Thank you that is perfect :)

[@almohadillaseisefes]

thanks alot!

[@nojyeloot]

Around what temperature are you soldering at? Thanks for this great video.

[@corywekerle6862]

Have you tried the G&H High Clarity plug's? They blow away any other connector. I have used them all and for studio work they are the best.

[@goldenmonkeycolor]

@TubeDepotTV ok gotcha there. im talking about the ground conductor. it looks like it would short out against the casing. i went ahead and built the cable figuring the case would just be grounded too. inerestingly i built 2 and one works fine. but one drops the volume level down by about half or so... didnt think that could be an outcome. ideas on why?

[@leadpelletinass]

This is great for a standard instrument cable. I am looking for a 1/8 with 90 degree bend connector 20 foot of cable and a standard 1/4 connector going to the amp. This will be used for a violin. Would there be any difference in construction with exception to the one different connector?

[@searcherer]

Great video!!! Can you tell me are Mogami cables better tha George L's?

[@rohanrobey1545]

Alright,one last question Mr.Hull what are the transformer ratings used in the tweed champ.

[@dalevanmail]

Awesome video man. Thanks for sharing! I'm buying all the materials as we speak, but what size (expansion range) Techflex do you recommend getting for the Mogami W2524 cable? If I'm reading the specs right, it seems like the cable is just under 1/4" in diameter. I assume I would want either the 3/32-1/4 or the 1/8-7/16, but what is your recommendation?

[@alvarez1284]

Do they sell right angle 1/4" connectors?! Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[@EzyoMusic]

Great video, I gotta give this a try. I've got a great Elixir cable right now, but what's better than being bale to make your own? :)

[@TheYeasteatingwalrus]

"It's goggle time." 2:13 hahahahahaha lol!

[@apinakapinastorba]

8:38 Ok :D

[@brianbicknell]

hey, you guys do some of the best instructional vids! what size heat shrink do you prefer for this application?

[@larrybud]

@monkeyxx Yes, built many a cable in my day. You don't need to hold the iron on there forever. The technique I am speaking of is common practice, even when soldering solid state electronics (ICs, transistors, etc).

[@simonfarmery]

@TotallyNuss Thanks for the info!!! That's going to be a great help.

[@sargentppeper]

What size heat shrink do you use to secure the jacks?

[@ballaarod]

Very informative. Could you post how to build an XLR cable?

[@sebnn]

Rob loved your video ,i placed an order and went with the neutrik plugs because i wanted a right angle plug, i just noticed the ends are different, how do you make you cable attachment,where do you solder? ,can you use neutrik?, if not why didn't order person tell me that. thanks steve

[@paraguitarmedic]

Rob! you keep surprising me when I see your face on these videos brother!

[@RabidGerry]

Hi, thanks for this great video, very informative + interesting. I have nailed the guitar cable making no problem however I have a specific type of guitar cable that I am unsure about. Can you help me? I need to build a stereo patch cable 1 a TRS at each end that can take a stereo signal from FX pedal into a stereo amp setup. Basically I do not know what type of cable to use because Mic cable has different properties to good quality low impedance guitar cable right? Hope u can help :)

[@sassychang007]

So sick.

[@ermonski]

I have some spare instrument cables here for my guitar (Planet Waves / Hosa), can I convert them into patch cables?

[@RombusEvilBones]

Nice vid. I have a question, Does the diameter of the cable affect the tone? I know that length does but not sure about the diameter.

[@metelegerald]

Wow man, way to inspire me to make not only wires, but try my hand on an amp!!! Youre awesome!, by the way could you make a tutorial in how to make a two channel amp as in one vibrato channel like on a fender twin reverb or super reverb?

[@makomoji874]

Any idea how to remove triboelectric effect on 2 core + shield micrphone cable?

[@jjlwis]

wow, very nice cable! what do you think of the Neutrik 1/4" connectors.. compared to the Amphenal?

[@madmax18840]

I have an old LP body guitar my dad learned on that I gutted completely. It's only got one pickup mount so I would only install one pickup (I was thinking a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates) and wire it to the pots switch and input but I have no clue what I'm doing.

[@WdeAlcuaz]

Thanks. Also, on your website you have a tm2pnj (the large version) available, but on your signature cable you have the normal tm2pn listed, which fits better on this mogami cable?

[@LongFacedBastard]

IT'S GOGGLE TIME

[@rohanrobey1545]

Thank you so much.But i did forget to mention to you that i live in India,so will it be possible to import the kits you have online because that would be a very expensive affair for me as im a student.i do have all the tools required.So is there another alternative. Also another question i had is that is it possible to use a turret board instead of a pcb in making a tweed champ. Thank you.

[@ChronoGXay]

"It's goggle time..." NEEEEEERD!! :)

[@tonysyoutubepage8284]

What was your "Magic Solder Fluid"?

[@pinchimike]

Bravo! nice nice video i made cables in past but here in cancun mexico i cant find amphenol conector or tech flex ..so i make my cables just with cable and neutrik or swichcraft plugs and termofit i also use flukes XD que buen video me gusto mucho .. yo aprendi a hacer cables pero yo no conocia la malla de colores que pones great vid!!

[@snakehandlerjorge]

Could you show us how to solder on a right angle Neutrik or Amphenol connector on the same cable?

[@String6Channel]

@TubeDepotTV Thanks :) BTW, doesn't the heat shrink usually goes "inside" the connector to make the solder more durable ? What's the point of putting it on the outer side ? Wh

[@seba.198]

what liquid you use before tinning????

[@MegaManVid]

@TubeDepotTV So does it add to the strain releif when on and not "inside" ? (aren't the Solid Cable's heat inside?)

[@VincenzoCaccavale]

Great video man, which flux you use? what advice? brand and features? For guitar cable is better tin 60/40 or the lead-free? Please answer me, thanks!

[@ironlungs33]

few other things: 1) As far as heat flex tubing, should I get 3/8" size or something else? 2) I'd also like to get a few of the cylindrical clear plastic protecters that go under the metal piece you screw on. They still protect but can be slid on and off unlike heatshrink tubing, you sometimes see them inside store bought cables. I don't know what to call them or where to get them. Any ideas? 3) thin right angle connectors Any specific places or websites that you'd recommend?

[@silverrush540]

Awesome video! ...where's the video about fixing the old cables with switchcraft connectors!? haha

[@WdeAlcuaz]

What size heat shrink is ideal for this?

[@postmortemspasm]

I too would like to know this. Also what is the point of the techflex? Is it just for aesthetic purposes?

[@CyrilViXP]

Does the copper shield have to be soldered to both connectors?

[@BenjaminCenters]

Hey i recently bought a monster bass cable, and the difference in the punch and low end compared to a standard instrument cable is pretty significant. How can i build my own cables that will give me that low end and punch?

[@els1f]

You should probably point out that you should put the connectors on first the second time. I can't count how many times I've soldered up the second end, and then realized the other sleeve is still on the table :)

[@thomascperez]

What does the exactly is the techflex for, making it a bit more rigid?

[@geezberry8889]

on the mogami cable you MUST strip back the black shield (as he shows) if not your cables will test good with a meter but they are not and will suck the tone outta your signal

[@KRPunK77Guitarist]

what liquid flux do you use? It's my first time soldering. I heard there are different types of flux. also what solder do you use? 60/40?