"Ask Bud!"

Question:

Can using different cords between my guitars and amp make a difference in the sound I get?

Answer:

Yes. Good-quality, low-resistance and well-shielded cords can prevent signal loss and reduce noise. Your steel generates an electrical signal by passing a wire {your string (s)} through a magnetic field {your pickup(s)} . On its way to your amp, this signal is passed through: wires, your volume pedal and any effects you use. All wire has resistance, capacitance and inductance. Usually, the larger the wire diameter, the lower the resistance. Resistance also can be reduced by using multiple wires (stranded). The reduction of resistance increases the amount of signal that reaches the amp.

You might also consider the fact that resistance, capacitance and inductance can interact with each other and affect the frequencies of the signal being generated. Certain frequency components can be increased while others are decreased. Try to use low resistance, low capacitance cables (cords)whenever possible.

Most wire manufacturers specify these properties; but, you almost never see them listed on musical instrument cables.

Also, if you use brass plugs, cleaning the dirt and oxidation off of them periodically (by using steel wool) will help.

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