"Ron" wrote in message
ps.com...

Ross Herbert wrote:
On 14 Jun 2006 01:54:06 -0700, "Ron" wrote:


Ross Herbert wrote:
On 12 Jun 2006 10:53:24 -0700, "Ron" wrote:

(snip)


Yes, but the guitar cable should be shielded, and I am prepared to bet
that it is. However, the shield connection may be broken and that is
what is causing the hum pick-up..

Yet, I've seen ads for shielded cables that are a bit more expensive
but said to reduce and/or prevent hum considerably. Ae these cables
just hype or is there a qualitative design dfiference between the usual
[cheap] guitar cables like the kind that came with this kit, and the
ones being marketed as shielded cables?

Ron

There is a difference - up to a point - but not enough of a one to make the
difference between a cable that's useable, because it's quiet, and one
that's not, because it causes too much hum.

All cables supplied for use with a guitar, should be fundamentally quiet,
irrespective of their price. However, a more expensive good quality one will
have better shielding in that it will have a denser-woven shield wire layer,
is likely to be more flexible, will have better quality connectors, and be
more mechanically stable, which will result in less microphony when you drag
it across, or bang it on the floor. The improved shielding is likely to only
be noticable in environments which are electrically very noisy, or have high
EM field strengths at line power frequency. Unless you are a professional
musician with more money than savvy, the very expensive cables claiming all
sorts of esoteric benefits from OF copper and double
back-peddling-triple-wound-multiple-plaited-total-150%-shield-construction
( or similar ! ), are unlikely to leave you feeling that you have got value
for your money ...

So, it's worth spending 3 or 4 times as much on a good quality cable, but
not 10 times or more on a 'snake oil' one.

Arfa