1 Topic by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-12-11 14:30:11)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Here is a GREAT stocking stuffer idea...

I found Mogami guitar cable for .86 cents per foot. Combine that with a Neutrik plug $3, and Neutrik Silent Plug $9, and you have an arguably best guitar cable on the market for super SUPER cheap. I did this yesterday for a friend who always buys the cheapest guitar cables. His old cables were crackling last week at practice, and I found this deal.

I built him a 10 footer with two normal Neutrik cables (for amp->pedals) and a 15 footer with a reg Neutrik plug on one side and the Silent Plug on the other (for guitar->pedals). Total cost? $40.50 + shipping costs.  A single 18 foot mogami guitar cable from musician's friend is $30, and that's with regular old plugs.

Mogami Cable: http://www.performanceaudio.com/buy/Mogami/W2524/5598
Neutrik Silent Plugs: http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/sea … ilent+plug
Neutrik Phone Plugs: http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/sea … phone+plug

Forty bucks for two Mogami Cables with Neutrik plugs? All ya gotta do is cut the cable to length, and solder on the plugs. I don't want to lose you on this... you will need to solder four things: hot and ground on each plug - but it's SUPER easy. Here's a video that (sort of) shows how to do it. It could'be had better close-ups.
http://youtu.be/Pijbk8lEpC8


Testing my little project, I plugged them into my little Peavey solid state 15 watt amp, and I could REALLY tell a difference between the cables I just made and all the other cables I have.  I may NEVER buy guitar cables off the shelf ever again!
cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Very good info,.thx for sharing that ....I use to make my own cables a long time ago with Beldin Cable &  Switchcraft plugs....it was an improvemnt as well

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,373

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Cool, I might have to try that.  Thanks for the tip.  Bookmarked!

My music & music blog: https://vincedickinson.home.blog/
New prog/rock album "Atlantis" available everywhere, including:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/atlantis/1411523163
https://open.spotify.com/album/3InrPujiALJCslZqp9V6e2

ZeyerGTR's Website

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Great tip - considering I believe I paid something like $90 for a single Mogami cable a couple of years ago, PLUS shipping to Oz - this is a great way to do it economically.

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Dang, Nic - you da man, brother!!!

Thanks for the links - nice little project for when the snow is deep this winter.  Sit by the fireplace with a soldering iron in my hand to keep warm. smile

kestrou

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

No problem. smile

I might even try making some patch cables next!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2010-11-23
  • Posts: 192

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Thanks Nic !!!!!

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

I've been wanting to do this for ages. Thanks for reminding me of it smile Maybe after finals!

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

One other thing.... I'm not sure if you've ever heard about "directional" guitar cords. Without testing both ways, I assume the direction of these cable goes with the reading of the print, i.e. guitar->cable (reads) MOGAMI -> amp.
I've heard, but cannot prove that if there's no arrows on the direction of the cable, that signal should follow the printing direction on the cable. hmm If anyone has input on this, I'd like to hear it, since I'm new to the whole "higher end" guitar cable bit!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: skamokawa, wa.
  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 240

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Hi Nic, You are correct about the lettering if their are no arrows. Now I've got a question for you. Do you hear any difference between the silent plug and the normal one's?
Thank you much for the links! That is a project ever I can do!

11 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2013-01-16 08:30:12)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Construction differences:
I closely inspected the silent plugs and see the with exception to the "spring-collar" that cuts the signal when it's not plugged in, the solder points and overall construction of the plug look identical to the standard Neutrik plugs I bought. In terms of construction the silent plug has a grippy rubber outside to the plug, while the other neutrik plugs I bought were painted black metal on the outside. Both had a plastic sleeve that goes over the cable before the cover of the plug gets screwed on, there's little teeth on the sleeve that clamp down on the cable when you screw on the housing of the plug. It looks like you would have a hard time getting the solder points to break by pulling on the cable, even though I probably won't be doing that! wink

Sound differences:
I couldn't hear any after 5-10 minutes of playing both. The regular neutrik plugs I got were the most expensive straight ones you could get without them being silent plugs... and I think they are a little less than $4/per plug. For me it only made sense to have 1 silent plug for the cable the guitar is getting plugged into. SO - I think for the extra cost, the sound is (to me ears) the same, but the extra cost with the silent plug comes in the construction of the signal-cut collar on the plug.

The other cables I was using were Rapco, Fender Kool-Koils, the el-cheapo guitar center braided cable, and the peavey cable with neutrik plugs. Now, I must say all of these plugs were road-worn (these relics do NOT go up in value lol ) and it might have been time for me to just buy all new cables anyway... but putting together these new guitar cables opened my eyes. It was like the difference between regular TV and HD. Maybe not that drastic, but still noticeable.

I must say I LOVE my home-made cables made with top of the line stuff, and I'confident I could fix them if anything ever happens. I also never gig without a backup cable wink

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

12 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2013-01-16 08:28:59)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Here's a very good video on soldering connectors to cables. Even if you're not making new cables, doing this may fix some of your old cables...

http://youtu.be/Dw-mvlalrdQ

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

Anyone have issues with the Silent Plugs that are angled?

The collar keeps sticking in and doesn't pop out when unplugging.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Anyone have issues with the Silent Plugs that are angled?

The collar keeps sticking in and doesn't pop out when unplugging.

No problem with the two leads I've had for six years.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Make your own Mogami/Neutrik cables for cheap!

I'd love to ask Mike Hickey how long JB's Neutrik Silent plug last.
I've been using mine for a few years now, and the straight ones have not failed yet.
They're supposed to be good for 10,000 matings.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool