Solderless cables

[marqueemoon]

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]

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.

That's not really how soldering works.

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.

[marqueemoon]

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.

That's not really how soldering works.

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 have soldered my share of things, though maybe not that well.

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]

it’s not worth the hassle to DIY.

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.

[JVG]

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.

[kgbAttack]

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]

I 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.

Not everyone has a steady hand though.

Don't really need a steady hand, just proper tools. A vise or "helping hand" clip station and a decent (~$100 US) soldering station.

[øøøøøøø]

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.

If I need low profile, I use the Switchcraft 228 "pancake" style. As narrow (if not narrower) than a George L right angle!

[timtam]

I 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.

Not everyone has a steady hand though.

Don't really need a steady hand, just proper tools. A vise or "helping hand" clip station and a decent (~$100 US) soldering station.

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).
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.