Do guitar cables make a difference in sound quality? In a word: yes. You can have the raddest guitar in the world, the raddest amplifier in the world, and the raddest pedalboard in the world, but if you don’t have quality cables to take your sound from instrument to amp, then your signal could be suffering.
Luckily, swapping out your cabling is the easiest way to ensure high-quality sound and rid yourself of pesky sonic irritations. When you upgrade your cables, you have a trustworthy signal that won’t deteriorate, pop, or crackle in the middle of a gig. And luckily for you, Sweetwater carries a massive assortment of cables and cable types, so you can snatch up one or tons of cables that work perfectly for your needs. Here, we’ll review some of our best and most stylish cables. All you need to do is sit back and decide which is the best guitar cable for you — retro, braided, colorful, affordable, tangle-resistant, boutique? The sky’s the limit!
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- Lava Cable Retro Coil Premium Series
- Fender Professional & Fender Deluxe Series
- Mogami Gold Series
- Vertex Effects Output Cables
- Pro Co Evolution Series
- Monster Prolink Rock Series
- Ernie Ball Braided Series
- JUMPERZ Blue Line Series
- Warm Audio Premier Gold Series
- Roland Gold Series
Lava Cable Retro Coil Premium Series
Smokin’ hot Retro Coils
The Lava Cable Retro Coil Premium series has some seriously hot cables you should have on your retro radar. Lava Cable cables are engineered to withstand inclement conditions. Consequently, these cables can handle almost anything you throw at them. These rugged and lightweight cables feature 99.99% pure, oxygen-free copper, low-strand-count conductor, spiral shield, and nitrogen-injected FPE dielectric to achieve the perfect capacitance. Besides its sheer durability and excellent signal transference, the Retro Coil draws many guitarists because of its classy, old-school look. Whether you’re a guitar veteran or a new guitarist on the block, Lava Cable’s Retro Coil will serve you well for years to come.
Fender Professional & Fender Deluxe Series
Dress your signal in tweeds
It’s hard to go wrong with Fender cables — especially if you’re a Fender junkie like us. The Fender Professional and Fender Deluxe cable series are chock-full of hard-working cables ready to transport your signal with utmost clarity. Their 95% oxygen-free copper spiral shielding, 22 AWG wire, and nickel-plated connectors set you up for success, whether you’re tackling studio or stage. Fender Professional cables come in a range of colors, while the Fender Deluxe series sports classy tweed jackets and hook-and-loop retainers and even comes in a coiled form. These no-nonsense cables stand ready to handle your signal with care.
Mogami Gold Series
These cables get a gold star
We don’t blame you for wanting to put your guitar’s signal into the right hands. When you need an uncompromisingly clean signal, you can trust the Mogami Gold series. You’ll find these cables in top audio engineers’ studios and on the road with touring bands that demand high-level performance from their instrument cables. Mogami utilizes an oxygen-free copper core, a carbon-impregnated PVC, an ultra-high density spiral shield, and a conductive polymer sub-shield to deliver an impeccable signal from instrument to amp. You can rest assured that “lossless” audio when recording and crystal clear sound from any instrument onstage is possible. Mogami Gold cables come backed with Mogami’s no-excuses lifetime warranty.
Vertex Effects Output Cables
Fortify your pedalboard’s signal path
Pedal enthusiasts, your day has come. Vertex Effect Output Cables are designed to combat the capacitance issues resulting from low-impedance signals of your last pedal traveling to your high-impedance amp input. Situate this cable between your last pedal and your amp, and you’ll have a delightfully clear and uncolored sound every time. The Vertex Effects Output Cables achieve substantial audio clarity through Mogami 2524 cable and Switchcraft connectors — all assembled by hand. So, if you run your signal through a pedalboard populated with two or 20 pedals, then the Vertex Effects Output Cables will serve as an excellent defense against signal loss and unwanted coloration.
Pro Co Evolution Series
Cables made in the USA
You can’t go wrong with the Pro Co Evolution series when looking for a great, all-around cable. These cables are some of our best sellers here at Sweetwater, and they will set you up for success in the studio or onstage. Their dual shielding, Neutrik connectors, and 100% oxygen-free wire extruded in their facilities make a great choice of cable for working musicians and more. There are also Pro Co Evolution cables with a silent switch that’ll eliminate that aggravating and sometimes harmful pop when disengaging the cable from its connection. With full-spectrum frequency reproduction, interference protection, and excellent flexibility, these Pro Co Evolution cables are ready to serve you night and day.
Monster Prolink Rock Series
A cable for the pros
The Monster Prolink Rock series‘ 24k gold contacts will surely catch your eye if not your ear. You’ve come to the right place if you have a professional-quality guitar requiring professional-quality signal transference. Monster Prolink Rock cables pass your signal through their patented Time Correct windings and MicroFiber dielectrics that rid the signal path of unwanted noise while protecting transients. Why spend the money to buy cheap cable after cheap cable when you can buy a Monster Prolink Rock cable and gig with crystal clear audio for years? The Monster Prolink Rock cable’s Duraflex protective shield can take years of gigging abuse and still deliver impeccable audio quality with enhanced sonic bite and uncompromised character. Give your professional guitar a fighting chance by gifting it with a Monster Prolink Rock cable.
Ernie Ball Braided Series
Tangle-resistant, colorful, and classy
If you’re one for flare — classy or colorful — then steer your guitar toward the Ernie Ball Braided series. Ernie Ball Braided cables are cool, and that’s it. Except it’s not because these cables bring audio quality along with their coveted and cool exterior. These cables boast high audio quality with crisp highs and tight mids wrapped in rich harmonics. The braiding serves a function other than just looking rad, too; it gives your cable another layer of protection. Its other shielding materials aid the signal to your amp, ensuring low handling noise and reliable, clear tone. Another boon of the braided jacket is this cable’s tangle resistance. No more wrestling with pesky knots and tangles; this cable is as smooth as a tall glass of water.
JUMPERZ Blue Line Series
When affordability is top priority
Get high-quality instrument cables without compromising on sound. That’s where the JUMPERZ Blue Line series comes into play. Plug in your axe with these, and you’ll notice a strong signal and excellent noise rejection. Used in studios and on stages, these cables prove themselves reliable time and time again. They achieve this by using oxygen-free, 20-gauge Pure Bare Copper (PBC) wire to ensure enhanced conductivity and greater flexibility than other types of cable copper. These cables are made here in the USA — Pontiac, Michigan, to be exact — meaning that they feature handcrafted quality and incredible attention to detail that’ll quickly make them your guitar’s favorite.
Warm Audio Premier Gold Series
Go for the gold
You trust Warm Audio for its effects and hardware units. Why not trust it for its cables? When Warm Audio set out to manufacture some of the best cables on the market today, it realized that it had already partnered with Gotham AG — Europe’s top producer of premium cables. And so, the Warm Audio Premier Gold cable was born. Guitarists’ signals all around the world were saved. These cables utilize gold-plated connectors, 4-conductor Starquad construction, and Double-Reussen shielding that combine for exceptional EMI and RFI rejection. Plus, the braided outer wrapping adds another layer of protection to your cable. They look fantastic, they sound professional, and they last a lifetime. What’s not to love?
Roland Gold Series
This gold’s dressed in a fine jacket
Ringing in the last of the list is the Roland Gold series. These cables feature 24k gold-plated connectors, delivering incredibly accurate and nearly lossless audio. When you plug your guitar in with a sturdy Roland Gold cable, you’ll feel secure to rock out onstage with all your might. Roland Gold cables achieve high-quality sound through a studio-quality oxygen-free copper core wire. That makes these an excellent choice for tours or recording your latest album. Their woven outer jacket keeps them out of harm’s way, making them top contenders for use onstage. Other aspects like high-density spiral copper shielding and low-capacitance design combine to make Roland Gold cables favorites for professional guitarists and home studio gurus alike.
What Cable Caught Your Eye?
There you have it, folks. The sheer number of cable types to sift through may seem daunting, but if you choose a cable from this list, then it’s hard to go wrong. If you have any questions about cables or want to find out which cable type is the best for you, then don’t hesitate to call one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700. Now, grab your new cables, get out there, and knock ’em dead!
