ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1397
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Aug 01 2020 10:04 AM
Hey all,
Need suggestions for linking my pedals with 3-4 short (3-4") patch cables. Need something that doesn't drop quality of sound.
Thanks!
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
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SHADOWNIGHT5150
Joined: Jul 14, 2013
Posts: 345
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Posted on Aug 01 2020 02:46 PM
George L
There are no others
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chillybilly
Joined: Jul 12, 2018
Posts: 38
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Posted on Aug 03 2020 11:21 AM
All about opinions and experiences to be sure...I had good and bad experiences with George L and the bad was very bad ie problems right before or even in the middle of a gig.
Right now I'm using the EBS flat cable/flat plug short patches with success on two different pedalboards. I also bought a couple of Mogami short patches to try based on their stellar reputation but a full complement of Mogami cables might cost more than the effects themselves. ;)
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nedorama
Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 228
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Aug 03 2020 02:51 PM
SHADOWNIGHT5150 wrote:
George L
There are no others
Agree. Have been using George L's for 20 years now without issue. Only concern is for pedalboards where you want to get pedals really close together; for those I've found the Warwick Rockboard Angled patch cables work great, but they are fixed length.
I really love the ability to change the length of my George L's when needed with scissors, and on the straight 1/4" a screwdriver..

—
'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo
Last edited: Aug 03, 2020 14:51:44
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JONPAUL
Joined: Apr 29, 2010
Posts: 2472
Venice, CA
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Posted on Aug 03 2020 05:11 PM
Hey ArtS,
There are so many high-quality products to choose from these days--it can be overwhelming.
Why not make it simple, feel satisfied and support a company that supports Surf?
https://www.rattlesnakecables.com/ have been extremely supportive of the scene, the Surf Guitar 101 Convention and make an exceptional product!
It's a win-win situation--you get to have a fantastic product and help support an independent business instead of some big anonymous company!
I have used their patch cables exclusively on tour the last couple of times and can personally testify that they are a robust, well-made and very high quality product in every way!
— Insect Surfers
The Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Scimitars
Lords Of Atlantis
Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio
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josheboy
Joined: Mar 13, 2009
Posts: 2367
Twin Cities, MN
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Posted on Aug 03 2020 05:44 PM
I also use Rattlesnake cables, including pedal board pitch cables.
I don’t tour, but before covid we had a string of shows and rehearsals and never had a single issue.
Super high quality cables that look great and perform even better, super fast delivery, and great customer service. Plus, as JP said, he supports the scene.
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1397
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Aug 04 2020 03:06 PM
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cosmonaut
Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339
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Posted on Aug 28 2020 09:10 PM
i do like george l, but when gigging heavily i kept having to rebuild my patch cables.
I make patch cables now from square plug pancake style connectors and thin 24 gauge Van Damme cable (diff colors for effects paths). Parts run about $8 to $9 per patch cable if you're handy with a soldering iron.
I just don't trust myself with solderless cables.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4544
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Aug 28 2020 10:12 PM
I’ve been using Rockboard pancake cables of late, quite successfully. I have a bunch of George L’s and occasionally use them when I need something of a custom length, but I have had to re-terminate them on occasion and that’s about the last thing I would care to do while an audience is patiently waiting.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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taijiguy
Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 213
Newington, CT USA
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Posted on Aug 29 2020 06:11 AM
I like these, but they don't work in every situation.

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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4544
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Aug 29 2020 07:53 AM
taijiguy wrote:
I like these, but they don't work in every situation.

I wish that they did. Back when a pedalboard might well mean a bunch of Boss pedals or a bunch of MXR pedals, strung together, such a coupler was the way to go.
I use Temple Audio boards, which have a quick release system which restricts the pedals somewhat because the mounting pads have to align with perforations in the board. It’s a great system, and I highly recommend it, but there is a minor cost in flexibility.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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nedorama
Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 228
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Aug 29 2020 02:45 PM
taijiguy wrote:
I like these, but they don't work in every situation.

Sorry, but these are the worst possible way to connect your pedals. The direct connection stresses the input/output jacks by putting upward/downward pressure on the adjacent pedal when you step on it. On older pedals, it will just wear out the jack. On newer PCB pedals, it will destroy the pedal. Boss and Ibanez jacks are at different heights, as are everyone else's, so this stresses and can break pedals from the get go.
Get short pancake or the Rockboard connectors and leave a little give in the cable between pedals - and seriously, throw those crank connectors out.
—
'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo
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taijiguy
Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 213
Newington, CT USA
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Posted on Aug 29 2020 03:44 PM
nedorama wrote:
taijiguy wrote:
I like these, but they don't work in every situation.
Sorry, but these are the worst possible way to connect your pedals. The direct connection stresses the input/output jacks by putting upward/downward pressure on the adjacent pedal when you step on it. On older pedals, it will just wear out the jack. On newer PCB pedals, it will destroy the pedal. Boss and Ibanez jacks are at different heights, as are everyone else's, so this stresses and can break pedals from the get go.
Get short pancake or the Rockboard connectors and leave a little give in the cable between pedals - and seriously, throw those crank connectors out.
As I said, they don't work in every situation. In mine, they work quite well.
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
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Posted on Aug 30 2020 03:14 PM
nedorama wrote:
Sorry, but these are the worst possible way to connect your pedals. The direct connection stresses the input/output jacks by putting upward/downward pressure on the adjacent pedal when you step on it. On older pedals, it will just wear out the jack. On newer PCB pedals, it will destroy the pedal.
Not only that, but on the majority of casted (as opposed to folded) enclosures, the sides are never 100% parallel, so some stress (gravity or attachment to pedalboard) always exists on the jacks, even when not pressed.
connect enough pedals this way, and you'll have a nice vertical arc
Last edited: Aug 31, 2020 01:05:25
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
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Posted on Aug 30 2020 03:17 PM
-
Last edited: Aug 30, 2020 15:19:39
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Toneschaser
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
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Posted on Aug 31 2020 09:50 AM
I'm done with the DIY kits. While I like the idea of making custom lengths they inevitably become finicky if you change your board configuration around a lot, which I do.
Lately I have been using the MXR pancakes which are affordable and bulletproof. There's also some custom builders on Instagram using very high quality cable and components if you don't mind dropping the cash.

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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4544
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Aug 31 2020 11:06 AM
Toneschaser wrote:
I'm done with the DIY kits. While I like the idea of making custom lengths they inevitably become finicky if you change your board configuration around a lot, which I do.
Lately I have been using the MXR pancakes which are affordable and bulletproof. There's also some custom builders on Instagram using very high quality cable and components if you don't mind dropping the cash.

I've had similar experiences. I had a very complete board using George L's cables, all of perfect length, but as soon as one thing changes, you are back to square one. Eventually, I bought some fairly inexpensive pancake cables and used those instead. Even though they were cheap cables, they seemed to be more reliable than the George L's, which I had to re-terminate from time to time (which also means that they kept getting shorter). I have been stockpiling Rockboard's pancake cables of late and find them to be a better quality pancake cable. So far, so good.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4544
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Aug 31 2020 11:06 AM
Toneschaser wrote:
I'm done with the DIY kits. While I like the idea of making custom lengths they inevitably become finicky if you change your board configuration around a lot, which I do.
Lately I have been using the MXR pancakes which are affordable and bulletproof. There's also some custom builders on Instagram using very high quality cable and components if you don't mind dropping the cash.

BTW, I love that board.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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cosmonaut
Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339
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Posted on Aug 31 2020 11:27 PM
Toneschaser wrote:
I'm done with the DIY kits. While I like the idea of making custom lengths they inevitably become finicky if you change your board configuration around a lot, which I do.
Lately I have been using the MXR pancakes which are affordable and bulletproof. There's also some custom builders on Instagram using very high quality cable and components if you don't mind dropping the cash.
oh hey, I just made the connection to your username. I follow you on instagram, and, coincidentally, make custom cables. hah. I started when work shut down to keep busy.
Last edited: Aug 31, 2020 23:31:54
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Toneschaser
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
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Posted on Sep 01 2020 12:39 PM
Cosmo, what's your IG handle?
Syncro, thanks! Tidy little thing.
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