Members mikelitzguitar Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 I recently got a new extension cab for my combo, and have been using your basic 1/4" mono instrument cable to connect to the cab. I was told that I need a speaker cable instead of what I am using. What is the difference? and how can I tell if one of the thousands of cables I have lying around is not in fact a speaker cable?? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members metalhobo Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Speaker cables are of a large enough gauge that they can handle the amount of current an amp delivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dewysoss Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 speaker cables say "speaker cable" on them :poke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Buy a gat damn speaker cable already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mbarn3065 Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikelitzguitar Posted February 25, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 lol ok thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pioneerprogress Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Don't do it. I ruined my then-perfectly-good and very much missed VTM that way.Spend 10 bucks on a speaker cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OverDriven Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 I recently got a new extension cab for my combo, and have been using your basic 1/4" mono instrument cable to connect to the cab. I was told that I need a speaker cable instead of what I am using. What is the difference? and how can I tell if one of the thousands of cables I have lying around is not in fact a speaker cable?? Thanks! The long and short of it is this: A speaker cable is typically 18 gauge or thicker 2-conductor wire. In other words, it's lamp cord with 1/4" connectors on each end. An instrument cable uses thinner conductors and has an outer shielded jacket. From the outside, you can't tell the difference usually. Why you shouldn't use an instrument cable for a speaker and vice versa - instrument cables are not made to take large amounts of current. Amps put out large amounts of current while instruments do not. If enough current hits the instrument cable, it can heat up and burn out. If that happens, then it will no longer be connecting the amp to the cab, so you are basically suddenly running a cranked amp without a cab connected. Running a tube amp without a cab connected can easily blow the amp's output transformer. Buy a speaker cable. Just ask for it at the music store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members charveldan Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Not the shiniest penny in the piggy bank eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 I recently got a new extension cab for my combo, and have been using your basic 1/4" mono instrument cable to connect to the cab. I was told that I need a speaker cable instead of what I am using. What is the difference? and how can I tell if one of the thousands of cables I have lying around is not in fact a speaker cable?? Thanks!unscrew the end and look if they don't have molded plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 which one is this? instrument or speaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Acshreds Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 which one is this? instrument or speaker? i'm gonna assume the by markings on it that its a speaker cable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HKSblade1 Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 i'm gonna assume the by markings on it that its a speaker cable obvious post is obvious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Acshreds Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 obvious post is obvious sarcastic post is sarcastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 i'm gonna assume the by markings on it that its a speaker cable *ding* *ding* *ding* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Acshreds Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 *ding* *ding* *ding* Yay i won! whats my prize? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Yay i won! whats my prize? Bend over sweetheart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayman121 Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 If anyone tells you that you can use an instrument instead of speaker cables in the long, or even short term for most guitar amps without any negative repercussions, they are retarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 sarcastic post is sarcastic You win teh prize! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members olgluefoot Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 there is no "VS" they are not interchangeable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OverDriven Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 If anyone tells you that you can use an instrument instead of speaker cables in the long, or even short term for most guitar amps without any negative repercussions, they are retarded. Well, not 100%. There are a few brands of instrument cable that can handle it. I have some Canare GS-6 that even Canare says can be used as speaker cable. It's 18G, which is thicker than most instrument cables and can handle the current. That said, it's not a safe practice with 99% of cables, and should never be done unless you are 100% sure that the cable is thick enough for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayman121 Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Well, not 100%. There are a few brands of instrument cable that can handle it. I have some Canare GS-6 that even Canare says can be used as speaker cable. It's 18G, which is thicker than most instrument cables and can handle the current. That said, it's not a safe practice with 99% of cables, and should never be done unless you are 100% sure that the cable is thick enough for it. Even 18G is pushing it for speaker cables, depending on the amp of course. I personally don't go higher than 16 for speakers, 12-14 is preferable, but then again cable length is a factor in that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members O'Rourke Posted February 25, 2010 Members Share Posted February 25, 2010 Buy a gat damn speaker cable already This x 1,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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