Guitar Cables

A guitar cable (AKA jack lead), is what you need to plug your electric guitar or bass into an amplifier or other gear like effect pedals. These cables are an essential part of the signal chain, because without the right cable, you won't get any sound at all. Here, we offer a complete overview of all guitar cables.

Need a Jack Lead for Your Guitar or Bass? We've Got Plenty!

At Bax Music, we have plenty to choose from when it comes to guitar cables. We don't just stock a massive array of instrument cables, but all of the other cabling needed to complete your rig and make some music. So you can securely connect your amplifier head to a speaker cabinet, we have dedicated speaker cables, and to neatly link all of the pedals on your pedalboard, we have plenty of patch cables to browse through. Even if you use gear that supports MIDI, we have all the MIDI cables you need.

Angled or Straight Plugs?

When picking out a jack lead, you can not only select your preferred length, but your preferred plug type. There are cables that come fitted with standard straight jack plugs, cables that come fitted with space-saving right-angled jack plugs, and cables that come fitted with one of each. Both forms are exactly the same in terms of what they do, but one might be a better fit for the jack socket of your guitar or bass than the other. Straight jacks are better for models with a recessed socket, while angled jacks are a better option for side-fitted jack sockets.

What's a Good Length? 3 or 6 Metres?

When thinking about the length of the cable you want, it's worth thinking about where you're going to be playing or performing. If you're jamming at home in your bedroom, then you'll be fine with a three-metre long jack lead. But if you want to be able to move around on a stage, then a six-metres-length or more will give you all the room you need. But be aware that as your cables get longer, the risk of breakage increases, and when a cable starts to break, it effects your sound quality. So, if you need masses of space on stage, then you might want to think about getting a wireless guitar system.

The Quality of Your Instrument Cables

One of the details that has a big influence on the quality of a cable is the shielding. Here, it's worth understanding the difference between spiral shielding and braided shielding. With a spiral shielded cable, the internal wires runs straight from end to the other, making the cable more flexible. A cable with braided shielding also has braided internal wires, which ensures a purer signal and reduced noise, but does result in a less pliable cable. Another high-quality perk of some cables is a 'silent plug', which are noiseless, and don't pop or crackle when jacking in and out, even if you forget to switch off your amp.

Guitar Cables vs. Speaker Cables

It's not actually possible to use a guitar cable as a speaker cable or the other way around, so it's really important to pay attention to what you're looking at when buying one or the other. Guitar cables are designed for connecting your guitar or bass to your amplifier, effect pedals, or audio interface. Speaker cables are designed for connecting your guitar amplifier head to your speaker cabinet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Cables

Should I get a mono or stereo jack lead?

All standard guitar cables (AKA jack leads) are fitted with mono 6.35mm/1/4 inch jack plugs. Mono is sometimes referred to as 'TS', which refers to the 'Tip' and 'Sleeve' plug construction. So in short, you should always get a mono jack lead.