Solderless cables
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 7400
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
- Location: Seattle
Re: Solderless cables
Dumb question, but is it possible to solder solderless cables? Like, could you add a tiny strip of (unmelted) solder during assembly, then heat up the plug until it flows? It would depend a lot on the specific cable and plugs, obviously.
- andy_tchp
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 8050
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Solderless cables
That's not really how soldering works.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 11:16 amDumb question, but is it possible to solder solderless cables? Like, could you add a tiny strip of (unmelted) solder during assembly, then heat up the plug until it flows? It would depend a lot on the specific cable and plugs, obviously.
You'd be much better served buying plugs that are designed to be soldered as part of the plug assembly. The near-indestructible Switchcraft 1/4" mono plugs still only cost a few dollars each, have nicely sized solder terminals and will outlast all of us if assembled correctly.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 7400
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
- Location: Seattle
Re: Solderless cables
I have soldered my share of things, though maybe not that well.andy_tchp wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 3:09 pmThat's not really how soldering works.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 11:16 amDumb question, but is it possible to solder solderless cables? Like, could you add a tiny strip of (unmelted) solder during assembly, then heat up the plug until it flows? It would depend a lot on the specific cable and plugs, obviously.
You'd be much better served buying plugs that are designed to be soldered as part of the plug assembly. The near-indestructible Switchcraft 1/4" mono plugs still only cost a few dollars each, have nicely sized solder terminals and will outlast all of us if assembled correctly.
Anyway, the advantage to most solderless cables as I see it is the low profile plugs. Sinasoid and (I think?) Lava offer low profile soldered options, though I don’t know if Lava’s are available for DIY.
I personally use Mogami 2319 premade patches from Tight Squeeze Cables. They are low profile enough for my needs, reliable, and cheap enough that it’s not worth the hassle to DIY.
- timtam
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2739
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Solderless cables
Fair point. If custom solderless gives you a board layout that you can't get with off the shelf cables. I don't actually have to solder to get my layout. It works fine with the right-angled pre-made cables I pay about $1 each for off ebay. They're robustly made, and cover such short lengths that they'd have to be the worst electrical conductors ever to make a difference to tone*.
* And even then you have Edge inserting capacitors into his wireless signal chain to simulate long cable losses .... that he likes.
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.
- JVG
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1412
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:54 pm
- Location: Sydney, Straya
Re: Solderless cables
I recently made my first foray into the solder less cable world, with the Evidence SIS plugs. Easy to assemble, and have had no failures. I can, however, see that there is potential for them to loosen over time if they get wiggled around in the course of normal use. That said, they're easy to re-tighten as needed.
Cheers!
J.
Cheers!
J.
- kgbAttack
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:30 am
- Location: Europe
Re: Solderless cables
I bought a batch of SIS plugs and cable but I haven't gotten around to assemble them. I have a temple audio pedalboard and was waiting to see if I have to make any changes before I cut the cable. I can't wait though!
- øøøøøøø
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 5997
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:26 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
Re: Solderless cables
Don't really need a steady hand, just proper tools. A vise or "helping hand" clip station and a decent (~$100 US) soldering station.Futuron wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:25 pmNot everyone has a steady hand though.fuzzjunkie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:11 pmI learned how to solder to fix and mod my guitars and build a pedal or two. Making your own cables isn’t that hard and they are less likely to fail.
- øøøøøøø
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 5997
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:26 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
Re: Solderless cables
If I need low profile, I use the Switchcraft 228 "pancake" style. As narrow (if not narrower) than a George L right angle!marqueemoon wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:36 pmAnyway, the advantage to most solderless cables as I see it is the low profile plugs. Sinasoid and (I think?) Lava offer low profile soldered options, though I don’t know if Lava’s are available for DIY.
I personally use Mogami 2319 premade patches from Tight Squeeze Cables. They are low profile enough for my needs, reliable, and cheap enough that it’s not worth the hassle to DIY.
- timtam
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2739
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Solderless cables
My expensive Weller station recently died and I took a chance on this for less than $20. It feels and performs like the Weller iron (without the expensive station).øøøøøøø wrote: ↑Sat Nov 10, 2018 2:31 pmDon't really need a steady hand, just proper tools. A vise or "helping hand" clip station and a decent (~$100 US) soldering station.Futuron wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:25 pmNot everyone has a steady hand though.fuzzjunkie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:11 pmI learned how to solder to fix and mod my guitars and build a pedal or two. Making your own cables isn’t that hard and they are less likely to fail.
https://www.banggood.com/Mustool-MT223- ... 77119.html
Going by my experience and the reviews and, somewhat to my surprise, I no longer think you have to pay a lot for a good temperature-adjustable soldering iron with a set of different tips.
Same with multimeters. You can get really good ones for around $30 now. More basic for less.
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.