Thoughts on cable design and sonic performance:

As a general rule, low capacitance (under 30 pF/ft) cables with a low strand count or with solid conductors let more of the signal through and are more open and defined sounding than those with more strands and capacitance above 40-45 pF/ft. A two conductor (twinax) or four-conductor (quad) typically provides improved signal response over a single conductor/shield (coax) design due the return signal being carried over better quality metal than using the shield of a coax cable for the return signal.

Low capacitance is important in a good sounding cable but not the only factor that has a significant impact on how a cable performs sonically. Several advances have been made that include using conductors made of copper or silver that is extremely pure or an alloy of copper and silver, and solid versus stranded cable designs to improve sonic performance. Two main things in cable design have a significant impact on reducing capacitance: 1. the size and type of the dielectric - typically large foamed polyethylene (PE) works best to reduce capacitance. 2. Reducing the number of strands used or using a solid conductor.

Mass produced copper coax has been the standard for guitar and instrument cables as well as speaker cables in the Music Industry for the last 30 years. Many smaller companies have arisen in the last 20-30 years that have sought to improve upon this basic design. Hi-Fi enthusiasts have known for more than 25 years the benefits of good quality cable and it has only been in the last 10 years or so that the Music Industry has become more keenly aware of good high-end instrument and speaker cable as well as power cord. As a result of more complex designs, increased use of raw materials, and shorter production runs, these smaller companies have higher production costs than large companies such as Belden, Gepco, Canare, and Mogami who manufacture millions of feet of stranded copper coax (as well as hundreds of other types of cable) a year. So, as with many other innovations in music equipment and gear, good high-end cable will typically cost more than mass produced copper coax.

Lava Cable Instrument Cable brands fall into three performance categories listed below:

Note: As a general rule, the best sonic results are obtained by using the same brand of cable from guitar to amp input.

FX Loop cables do not require high-end cables, although some customers have reported increased fidelity with their looped effects with a higher quality cable.

Mark's priority list for replacing cables:

1. Guitar to amp or 1st pedal
2. Last pedal to amp
3. Pedals
4. Amp head to speaker
5. Internal cab wiring

Mark's Top Bass and Acoustic Guitar Cable picks:

Mark's Speaker Cable Ranking:

Mark's Balanced Cable Ranking: (Microphone/Stereo cable applications)

Guitar Cable Technical Specifications and Price Comparison:

Cable Comparison Table