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Which solderless cable kits do you guys like. I bought the Boss one and I had to return it because it did not work and they sent another and that one did not work. I've seen Lava Cables and heard good things. What do you guys think?

What didn't work about the Boss ? Were you able to check continuity / no shorts with a multimeter ?

Looks straightforward ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EHJU6Vc21k
... although once you've soldered cables the old-fashioned way it's hard to be really confident about the durability of any solderless system.

Didn't know there was a Boss one. I've only used the Planet Waves one (DAddario I think). Works. Cables are very thick and rigid though (don't go around tight corners well). Plugs are probably too long for what most real-estate-conscious pedal boarders would prefer. Incredibly easy to use, solid, and I never had a loss of contact issue.

I use the Evidence Audio Screw In Solderless system. They aren't cheap, but they're fantastic. Wouldn't use anything else.

Disaster plugs are nice

Domm wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:58 pm

Disaster plugs are nice

These are the ones I use. You can get the starter kit for a reasonable price on Reverb and then order bulk ends from the Disaster site as most of the pedal board connections you typically need don't require much cable.

Thanks guys

has anyone used the lava cables?

Yup, i have a mix of Lava and George L. If you can spring for it get the thinner gauge wires, makes for nicer tighter wiring.

I prefer my George L set due only too the thinner gauge, however the Lava cable heads have a smaller head so you can use them in tighter spaces, which is rather nice.

As far as assembly goes they're both fairly straight forward, with the Lava cables being maybe slightly more complicated, but neither are really difficult. Read the manuals, watch some youtube videos and you'll be solderless in no time.

Tip:
Just make sure as you're plugging and unplugging over the years to check that the heads are still tightly fastened, or you will have problems. Nothing major, but a good tip.

I don't trust 'em period.

I have old-fashioned soldered cables that I've been using in rigorous nightly professional use for over a decade.

Solderless cables always fail under normal use for me, no matter how carefully-assembled.

I use George L's, the right angles mostly, but they can easily become unscrewed and short out, and that can be a massive pain to chase down if you have a long or split chain, which would be murder at a show.

One thing that seems to help a lot is to get the sleeve stress relievers, it helps to keep the head screws from turning as much. I've had a massive reduction in that occurring by using the stress relievers. But when I switch the cables out/around on the board, I still test every one before I put it back in a chain. Another benefit is that the metal screw heads don't try to scratch other pedals with those things on.

I have to say that I've never had a problem with the straight head versions, the ones that use the small screw bit into the body at the cable, but those are harder to deal with on a pedalboard, I mostly use them for out cables (to an amp or whatever). I've also had good luck with their pre-made instrument cables, I've had a few of those for years now.

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.

I have no experience with solder less cables though.

fuzzjunkie wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:11 pm

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.

Whenever someone brings up solderless cables, a "just make yer own cables"* person is obligated to hop on. It's just one of those 'things' on guitar forums.

If you have a badly botched refinished guitar with mold, or the shape of a penis etched into it, that you want to restore invariably someone will chirp in with, "I'd rock that just it as is. Looks awesome!" The original Klons will always elicit opinions and around OSG, we'll never tire of talking about Mastery Bridges.

*(I have come close to getting the tools and figuring out how to do that, but I just don't have the time and space in my house. Maybe some day. Until then I am stuck with my George Ls, which I love and loathe at the same time.)

Jaguar018 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 09, 2018 8:53 am

*(I have come close to getting the tools and figuring out how to do that, but I just don't have the time and space in my house. Maybe some day. Until then I am stuck with my George Ls, which I love and loathe at the same time.)

Same here, especially considering the amount of money I had already sunk into them. But as I said above, using the head sleeves/stress relievers does make a huge difference in the reliability, and if you've already spent a lot of money on the heads & cable, it's not really that much more investment for the return.