is this normal guitar electronics cable?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Guitar & Bass Technical Discussion' started by spaceboy, Jan 28, 2005.

  1. Jan 28, 2005 #1
    spaceboy

    spaceboy Member

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    http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=2&doy=28m1

    is that stuff the same as this stuff? http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies/Non-shielded_Guitar_Circuit_Wires.html

    cos the maplin stuff is a fair bit cheaper, for more, and it's in the uk so it'l be cheaper on postage... but it's so hard to tell if it's actually what i need. If the maplin stuff is right (why does it say "twin cable"?), would this stuff http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=2&doy=28m1 be any better or worse for guitar circuits? (ie. normal or miniature?)

    so confusing... :¬(

    cheers!
     
    spaceboy, Jan 28, 2005
    spaceboy, Jan 28, 2005
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  2. Jan 28, 2005 #2
    Clorenzo

    Clorenzo Member

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    It's not exactly the same but it's perfectly ok for electric guitar wiring where you don't need a shielded cable. The "miniature" one is thinner than both the "normal" one or the one from Stewmac, but given the currents flowing in an electric guitar circuit, it's more than adequate. "Twin" means that it's two parallel wires together, like a regular two-core mains or loudspeaker cable, for example, but thinner. You just split it and use each half as single wire.

    It's always worth checking the prices of things like wire, toggle switches and jack connectors in places like Maplin, Farnell or RS, they're generally much cheaper than in specialist guitar suppliers, there's usually a bigger choice and what they have is not only perfectly adequate for guitar use, but also, very often, exactly the same stuff.
     
    Clorenzo, Jan 28, 2005
    Clorenzo, Jan 28, 2005
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  3. Jan 28, 2005 #3
    Clorenzo

    Clorenzo Member

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    For example, a DPDT on-on mini-toggle switch:

    WD Music Products: £6.20 (http://wdmusicproducts.co.uk/Mercha...e=wduk&Product_Code=WDE9&Category_Code=SWTCHS)
    Farnell Components: £2.59 (http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=151168&N=401)
     
    Clorenzo, Jan 28, 2005
    Clorenzo, Jan 28, 2005
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  4. Jan 28, 2005 #4
    spaceboy

    spaceboy Member

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    brilliant, cheers! yeh, good old Maplin/farnell etc.

    but when it's twin wire, is it like you often get where it's kinda two seperate, individually insulated cables, sort of melted together in the middle, so i can just cut between them and get double the wire? or is it two cores inside on insulation?

    thanks
     
    spaceboy, Jan 28, 2005
    spaceboy, Jan 28, 2005
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  5. Jan 30, 2005 #5
    Clorenzo

    Clorenzo Member

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    "Figure 8" means it's of the first type you mention. A small cut between the two wires at one end and you can easily separate it by hand.
     
    Clorenzo, Jan 30, 2005
    Clorenzo, Jan 30, 2005
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  6. Jan 31, 2005 #6
    spaceboy

    spaceboy Member

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    awesome, cheers!
     
    spaceboy, Jan 31, 2005
    spaceboy, Jan 31, 2005
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