Michael from Sleeping Dog FX recently decided he needed some flashy new guitar cables and patch leads. With a gig up and coming there was no time to lose… rather than paying through the nose for inferior cables, Michael popped an order in with me for a batch of REAN (Neutrik) plugs and some rather excellent Evolution OFC Professional Instrument Cable.
Michael was good enough to photograph the process – yes it’s simple, but like all good things there is the right way to do it. The attention is in the detail, and if you want roadworthy cables that will stand the test of time then you have to do it right.
Pictures by Michael from Sleeping Dog FX, words and instructions from Doctor Tweek…
Step One. Get QUALITY Components…
Step One: 6 meters of OFC anti-kink guitar cable and REAN Jacks
Step Two: A collection of tools on the bench - nothing more frustrating than not having the right tools for the job.
Step Three: Starting to prepare for the first plug - Michael scores around the outer sheath of the cable, about 25mm from the end. Careful not to cut too deeply - just roll the blade over the insulting sheath all the way around the cable.
Step Four: Once the cable has been cut as in the previous image you can pull off the outer insulation.
Step Five: Heres the braid revealed after pulling off the outer insulation. Now, you didn't cut too deep and cut through this did you?
Step Six: Here Michael is cutting the intermediate insulation. Note that he has moved the blade about 5mm further towards the end of the cable, also note that the blade is at an angle so that he has more control of the depth of cut. Again you don't want to cut all the way through...just this layer of insulation.
Step Seven: The intermediate insulation can now be removed, revealing the inner insulation. Also the braid is now twisted between your finger and thumb.
Step Eight: Repeat the previous step for the inner insulation. Again be careful not to cut too deep. A set of wire strippers is handy! Also twist the inner wire the same as you did for the outer braid.
Step Nine: Tin the wires - basically apply the iron to the wires and feed in solder until they are thoroughly imprgnated with solder. This is essential. Michael uses a set of helping hands here, which makes things a lot easier to handle.
Step Ten: You also must tin the plug. Apply heat and get some solder to pool up on the two contacts. Another essential step.
Step Eleven: Here we go positioning cable and plug together. They will be good freinds for a long time.
Step Twelve: After offering up the cable to the plug you will be abe to see what length you need to trim the wires to... use a pair of wire snips to trim them as in the picture above. Neat.
Step Thirteen: Here's the cable soldered to the wire. Because you have tinned both elements they should come together easily. Use some flux on your bit to make sure everything flows together. When the work has cooled examine the solder joint and give it a good tug. It should be fab!
Step Fourteen: Pop the sleeve and case onto the other end of the cable - the top Neutric jacks allow you to pop the case on from the plug end, but these REAN (Neutrik) jacks need the case sliding on before you solder the other end! Easy to forget - honest!
Step Fifteen: Note the wire is crimped in place using a pair of pliers on the 'sleeve' terminal. Then the plastic insulating sleeve slides over the whole assembly. Don't mis this item out - it insulates the connections from the case. Some cheap jacks don't have this. How bad is that?
Step Sixteen: Now it comes to repeat for the other end. First though, pop the other case and sleeve onto the cable. Don't forget - it is really embarrasing!
Step Seventeen: So, heres the finished result. Best tested with a multimeter for connectivity and insulation...but plugging them in should be as good a test as anything. Fabulous Cables - much better perfomance than cheap shop items and a lot cheaper than some fancy name brands. Plus they have the Mojo that you made them. Thanks Michael for the pictures!
