GLS Audio started out as a guitar amplifier builder in the mid '60s, now they are known for affordably priced cables and accessories. The Tweed guitar cable that they produce continues to get high ratings with its balance of quality and affordability.

This cable comes with double insulator shields (OFC insulator and PVC conductive shields) and oxygen free copper all wrapped in braided tweed cloth jacket, which is quite good for the price. Unfortunately shielding specs are not provided, so while it works great for home use or small stages, it may not offer enough shielding in areas with higher interference.

Thanks to its cloth tweed wrap, this cable looks more premium than it actually is, and fits really well with older amps. This soft yet sturdy exterior does a good job of protecting the innards, and makes the cable easy to twist and store. It also helps prevent issues like cable kinking and breaking.

And it's not just skin deep because everything about the cable is solid and well built, including the plug and the soldering joints. Speaking of soldering joints, this cable allows for easy access to the joints, which makes them easier to check and maintain.

While the original soldering work is good, it will give out - sooner or later, depending on how you take care of the cable. Thankfully, resoldering is quick and painless.

With its great balance of quality, value and old school looks, you won't be disappointed with this highly rated guitar cable.

Specifications

Mogami is known for offering expensive premium cables and their Gold Instrument cable straight is their highest rated offering.

This cable features a high quality oxygen-free copper core that's designed to be as transparent sounding as a cable can. There's a noticeable jump in clarity when using this cable, and this translates to more accurate playing and better overall tone.

For noise protection, Mogami opted for high-density copper spiral shielding with 100% coverage. And this is supported by a conductive polymer sub-shielding. It also utilizes carbon-impregnated PVC to help reduce handling noise. All these premium features result in interference free quiet operation, ready to take on the busiest stages and recording studios.

Mogami cable components

Speaking of premium, the Mogami Gold cable requires a substantial investment that goes beyond the usual budget for cables. And given its improved shielding, the cable is a bit stiff, not as flexible as regular ones.

The higher the price, the higher the expectations, but Mogami stands by their cables enough to offers a no-excuses lifetime warranty. If you want nothing less than the highest rated option, then get the Mogami Gold Instrument straight cable.

Specifications

• 20 AWG OFC Conductor
• Spiral Shielding
• Conductive Polymer Sub-Shield
• Available Lengths: 6' | 10' | 18' | 25'

Ernie Ball Braided cable is a consistent market favorite, rating highly across multiple retail stores. And closer inspection reveals why, build quality is really top notch.

The braiding is neatly done down to the smallest details. I really tried but I couldn't find any cosmetic flaws to complain about. If you're not into the green and black color of this cable, there are a a lot of color options to choose from. The cable feels soft yet sturdy, and it has good flexibility. Rolling up is easy and is not rough on my hands. I haven't encountered any tangling problems, and it's not as heavy as I expected to be. More importantly, it does all this while providing protection for the innards.

Speaking of innards, this cable uses two 16AWG conductors made from 99.95% OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) for improved resistance against corrosion. And underneath the braided exterior are dual shielding, to protect the it from damage and interference.

User serviceable with rubber jackets over the solder joints.

Ernie Ball secured the solder joints properly with sturdy rubber jackets and metal covers. The rubber jackets make it harder to bend the cable at the joints. The metal cover adds even more protection, and serves as the handles for the plugs. More importantly, the joints are user serviceable, which adds to the life expectancy of the cable.

The plugs are made from nickel, they feel solid and have a good heft to them. I've tried plugging it into different electric guitars and acoustics, and I didn't encounter any problem. I can even use the right angle plug on my Strat, and it fits nice and snug - no annoying sideway movements. I've also plugged it in my amps, and got good results. The plugs are a bit longer than my regular cables, so the straight one is more prone to being accidentally hit and bent. This is why I prefer right angle plugs, because they can positioned in a safer manner. I find that using right angle plugs and looping the cable around the guitar strap makes for a safer and more secure setup.

Used it on my Strat, Les Paul and Martin acoustic-electric, it's been incredibly quiet with no operation noise.

This cable is noticeably quieter than what I'm used to. No handling noise, and no crackling even when I move the cable and plugs around. This could be attributed to it being new, so it's double shielding is still 100% intact. It's nice to be able to move around without worrying about cable noise.

All in all, the Ernie Ball Braided instrument cable outclassed my other cables with its premium build quality and quiet operation. It really lives up to its impressively high ratings across major retailers.

Specifications

• 16 AWG Dual Conductor
• Dual Shielding with Braided Jacket Exterior
• 99.95% OFC Conductor
• Available Lengths: 10' | 18' | 25'