Cable for Footswitch

[kd]

Would something like thermostat control cable be usable making the run from the amp to the footswitch?

Thanks,
Ken

[Normster]

Thermostat cable probably won't hold up since it's solid core. Too much flexing and it will break. However, there's something very similar called "security control cable" that works very well. Home Depot and Lowes carry it and it's very reasonable. Usually a gray jacket with 5 or 6 wires (stranded).

[kd]

Thanks Normster, much appreciated. I'll look for it next time I'm in a home improvement store.

Ken

[dobbhill]

with a standard MIDI connection at the amp and on the footswitch, a std MIDI cable could be used. Although not the absolute cheapest solution, there are commercial cables available with lifetime warranty.
D

[ayan]

Would something like thermostat control cable be usable making the run from the amp to the footswitch?

Thanks,
Ken

Here are some options:

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/317395.html

Canare is a great cable. If you need 5 conductors (what Dumble used, what I use... what everyone should use unless they want to compromise), this one has 4 + a shielded mesh, so you get your 5th that way -- with additional work, of course, because you have to solder cables to the mesh.

Looks great, feels great, but it is a royal pain in the ass to work because it will barely fit through the bushing of Switchcraft DIN connectors. You may need to use talcum to "lubricate" the sleeve... but, it will be a footswitch great cable once you're done... and you hands will hurt, trust me. Also, to make matters more annoying, there are four conductors but only two colors so you need to do a continuity check with a multimeter to see which conductor is which. Good for YOUR own amp, I probably wouldn't use it for mass production because of all of the quirks mentioned. $40.00 for 100ft, i.e., 4 footswitches for me.


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http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.asp ... -1175C-100

The Alpha wire works well, but the biggest issue I have with it is that it develops memory big time, so it will always look coiled up, unlike the Canare above. I have used this on stages for ten years now, with everyone walking all over them, etc., and they still work. $55.16 for 100ft, i.e., 4 footswitches for me.


* * *

http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.asp ... 6-8445-100

Belden's develops less of a memory issue than the Alpha, but it looks a little less rugged. This is the cable that Dumble used in many of the footswitches for the 1990s amps. I have also been using this on stages for a long time, where they are heavily abused... and they still work. $64.01 for 100ft, i.e., 4 footswitches for me.

Hope this helps,

Gil

[kd]

dobbhill and Gil, thanks a lot. That gives me a bunch more options to look at.


Ken