John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Question.... If I have two cables that appear to be regular guitar cables with 1/4" connectors but one is a speaker cable and one is a guitar cable how do I tell which is which? Seems to me that guitar/ audio cables are shielded, is that correct? What exactly is shielding of a cable? I have also heard that it is not good to use guitar cables to connect to speakers, is this true? If so why? Any or all answers would be appreciated.

Thanks Jeff

Jeff,

I have also heard that it is not good to use guitar cables to connect to speakers, is this true?

Guitar cables are of a different impeadance than speaker cables.

Seems to me that guitar/ audio cables are shielded, is that correct?

Most audio cable (balanced) is shielded. Guitar cable I've seen both shielded and unshielded.

What exactly is shielding of a cable?

Shielding is for rejecting RF. It's usually done in one of two ways: 1. A braided shield that is braided around the center conductors; 2. A thin foil wrapped around the center conductors w/ a drain (bare wire).

Thanks for the answers so far! How about my first question...If I have two cables that appear to be regular guitar cables with 1/4" connectors but one is a speaker cable and one is a guitar cable how do I tell which is which?

Thanks Jeff

What's the lettering say on the cable? Most cable has some type marking to it.

No lettering. Also I'm just looking for a generic answer. Is there a way of looking at the wire and the way it is soldered up (you know if I unscrew the connector) that should give me a sign as to what I am dealing with?

Thanks Again,
Jeff

Impedance aside, there is also usually a physical difference in the wires. A lot of guitar cables use 22 or 24 gauge wire. The cheapest speaker cables on the planet will at least use 18 or 16 gauge wire. If you use a guitar cable as a speaker cable, you run the risk of fire and hot wires at the very least.

Also, speaker wire pairs should be identical. Many guitar cables have a single center conductor and a braided shield.

Also if you unscrew the connectors, typically in a speaker cable both wires will be indevidually jacketed, either black and white or red and white.