Cables & Cable Kits
When you start mingling in the world of electrically amplified guitars, you’ll soon learn that dealing with cables is an essential part of making music. While guitar cables aren’t one of the most attractive or exciting parts of your setup, they are one of the most important. At LAWK STAR Guitars, you’ll find everything you need for your wired setup, from plugs to testers to pedalboard kits.
Guitar Cable Buying Guide
Balanced versus Unbalanced Cables
Balanced cables have an electrical signal that runs through three wires: a positive, negative, and ground wire. The positive and negative wires carry the same signal in opposite directions. This helps reduce noise because the receiving device flips one signal and cancels out interference through common mode rejection. Balanced cables are generally best for long cable lengths.
Unbalanced cables are better when lines are 25 feet or less. They have a positive and ground wire. The positive wire carries the signal, while the ground wire helps isolate it from interference.
Common Cable Types
- Instrument cables: Cables used to connect your guitar or bass to an amplifier.
- Patch cables: Cables that link components together.
- Microphone cables: Shielded, balanced cables with XLR, mini-plug, USB, or TRS connectors.
- Speaker cables: Thick unbalanced cables that have phone, MDP (banana clip), speakON, or binding post connectors.
- Daisy chain cables: A series of patch cables connected together for effects pedal chains.
Common Connector Types
- TS (tip, sleeve)
- TRS (tip, ring, sleeve)
- XLR
- RCA
- speakON (twist connector)
- Banana plug
- Mini-jack
- D-subminiature (D-sub)
- USB
- MIDI
By knowing the right type of cable to use with your setup, you ensure your safety and the quality of your sound. LAWK STAR only offers premium cables because we know that when you sound better, you’ll play better.