Subj : Guitar cable
To   : Neall Mercado
From : Gary Gilmore
Date : Mon Jan 08 2001 06:24 pm

 NM> How can I measure the capacitance of the cable?

Don't bother.  If it was really an issue, you'd know, since your volume and 
tone would be suffering greatly.

Best to stick with shorter cables.  If you need a long run, get a good wireless 
system.  This is the reason so many companies make 18' 6" cables now.
That's a good length for a guitar cable.  Not too much impedance.

 NM> Oh yes, I've noticed those sounds when my guitar cables are all tied up
 NM> and I slapped them on the ground. Thanks for the tip! =)

That's usually a poor shield.  A cheap/bad shield will allow radio 
interference, will make noise when the cable is flexed, and is just generally a 
headache.

It's like anything... if you got it cheap, there's a reason.  Spend a little 
more, and go with quality brands (Whirlwind, ProCo, Rapco, Belden, etc) and 
you'll be better off.  They'll also last longer, which is an added bonus.

 NM> Have you tried using the Boss NS-2 Noise Supressor?  
 NM> Does this stompbox really eliminates noise?

Everything you add to the signal chain adds noise, even a "Noise Supressor".
I can't really remember this unit, but I'm sure it's a simple gate.  It cuts 
off the signal at a certain level.  Why is this bad?  Think of playing a note, 
and letting it decay naturally.  If the gate is set to high to get rid of the 
noise, it's also going to cut off the end of that note too.  That sounds very 
ugly.

If you're getting so much noise, find out why, and fix it.  Don't put band-aids 
on it.  :-)

--gary

--- Maximus 3.01
 * Origin: Support your local Guitar Tech! * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400)

.