How to Choose the Perfect Guitar Cable: A Complete Guide for Musicians

When it comes to guitar gear, for many players, sourcing what you want (NEED) can turn into another full-time hobby! You will have spent hours picking out the perfect instrument, amp and pedals, but one key component that (UNFAIRLY) often gets overlooked: the guitar cable.

While it might seem like a minor part of your setup, your cable plays a crucial role in delivering the sound from your guitar to your amp. A low-quality cable can degrade your tone, introduce unwanted noise, or even cause signal loss – so why would you overlook it?

So, here’s the question - how do you pick the perfect guitar cable? And no, you’re not going to waste more hours of your life scrolling the internet - we’ve got you!

Here’s everything you need to know!

CONSIDERATION ONE: Choosing the right length for your setup

Cable length plays a big role in convenience and sound quality.

Short Cables (Anything 3m or less)
These are ideal for close-range setups where you don’t need much movement. If you’re playing in a small practice room or have your amp next to you, short cables are often the best choice. Plus, they tend to suffer from less signal degradation.
Medium Cables (3m to 6m)
This is the most common length for amp to pedal board, live performances, rehearsals, and home setups. It gives you the flexibility to move around without introducing too much signal loss.
Long Cables (6m and above)
Long cables are ideal for large stages or if you need to roam far from your amp. However, the longer the cable, the more potential for signal degradation, so it's essential to invest in high-quality cables if you’re going down this route.
Patch Cables
15cm patch cables are great for interconnecting your FX pedals, but there’s always an option of making your pedal board a work of art by using custom length, made to measure patch cables.

Its important to really consider if you need those extra metres - no one needs a cable flapping around!

CONSIDERATION TWO: Choosing the right connectors

The connectors on your guitar cable are equally important.

Your starting point is the BRAND, and there’s numerous to choose from. We are going to focus on Neutrik and Rean. Neutrik is professional industry standard. If you want top quality connectors, these are for you. That being said, Rean is made by and a subsidiary of Neutrik. We find the quality of Rean to be very high, has a sleeker design and is very robust. These are our go to connectors at Mojo.

Once you’ve chosen your brand, you have two main options:

Straight connectors
These are the most common and work well for most pedals/guitars. They’re ideal for when your setup has plenty of space and isn’t cramped. These are best for S Style guitars.
Right-angle connectors
These are a great option for tight spaces, where a straight connector might stick out awkwardly. Right-angle connectors reduce stress on the cable and make your setup more compact and organised. For guitars we’re talking Gibson, PRS (most of…until the Silver Sky by John Mayer was released!) and T Style guitars. If you’re a bass player, these are 99.5% what you require!

Nickle plated connectors are industry standard. This aligns with all common types of jack sockets. There are rumours that gold plated connectors improve signal clarity and provide corrosion resistance, but the fact is without every connector and socket in your rig being gold plated the difference is negligible.

Oh and don’t forget about right angled pancake patch connectors which really come into their own when real estate is scarce on your pedal board.

CONSIDERATION THREE: Colour and design!

Yes before you start... it does matter! Who wants to see a sea of black cables - not us!

The colour of your cables is a great way to express your personality. You can choose to match or compliment your guitar(s), look great in your practise space or even to show some uniformity in your band.

If you’re a little nervous about doing anything too bold (just yet), how about a black cable but with a twist. You can add a touch of colour on the shrink for example. (https://www.mojocables.com/product-page/pick-n-mix-custom-instrument-cable) This way you’ll always know which ‘black cable’ is yours after a jam session!

CONSIDERATION FOUR: Durability and Flexibility

A guitar cable can be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. Obviously the most important thing you can do is… look after them! You wouldn’t just throw your guitar in a bag, so treat your cables with the care they deserve too! However, if you are gigging regularly, wear and tear is going to play a big part. To help with this, you need to be on the look out for cables with durable outer jackets to ensure they last longer.

There’s a few options for you…

PVC: Most cables are made with a PVC jacket, which offers good protection but may not be as flexible or long-lasting as rubber.
Rubber: Rubber-coated cables are more flexible and durable. They can stand up to the rigours of touring and live performances.

A flexible cable is also a bonus for easier handling during your gigs. After all, the last thing you want is a stiff cable that’s hard to manage!

CONSIDERATION FIVE: Signal Quality, Capacitance Matters

Low capacitance cables are essential if you want to preserve the quality of your tone. High capacitance cables can cause signal loss, especially in higher frequencies, which can result in a duller sound. Look for cables that offer low capacitance to ensure that your signal remains crisp and clear, especially if you’re using tone-sensitive gear.

CONSIDERATION SIX: Brand and Price… Do They Matter?

The simple answer YES!

The saying ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ comes to mind. While it can be tempting to buy the cheapest cable on the market, investing in a higher-quality cable will pay off in the long run.

Mojo Cables ticks every box regarding the above considerations and can provide you with the exact cable you require, made to an extremely high standard at reasonable prices.

No snake oil here…. just a family run business from Yorkshire offering a solution to an age old problem.

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