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Hi All. Can anyone recommend a good quality 1/8-to-1/4 inch mono TS cable that I can use to connect my guitar to my amplifier? Archtop.com has one for $50 but it seems overpriced to me.
Thanks!
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08-27-2025 04:51 PM
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You can just buy an adapter.
Looks like the metal jack at the end of 1/4 inch cable. But you can plug 1/8 inch plug into the back of it. Then the whole thing goes into the 1/4" socket.
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links to the adapters
Little wire to big plug
big wire to little plug
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I have used those adapters before, but I don’t like them because they add a lot of extra bulk and weight to the connection. I don’t know what kind of guitar the OP has, but I don’t like hanging that much hardware on my Gibson Johnny Smith, Pickguard, or my ‘DeArmond control box. Alternatively, if you were to plug an adapter and a regular guitar cord into a 1/8 inch endpin jack, it would stick out way too far for me. My solution to this issue has always been to just cut one end off of a decent guitar cable and solder on a 1/8” mono Jack. I used a thinner cable so that 1/8 inch jack fits nicely. I haven’t looked lately, but I’m sure you can source a good quality thin cable. I was able to get Switchcraft 1/8” mono jacks in the past, but I can’t seem to find them on the Internet right now. You can buy a 1/8” mono jack on Amazon though. https://a.co/d/5W0SYi8
Keith
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There are dozens of fine 1/4 to 1/8 cables on Amazon and most other similar websites for under $10. Most of them are TRS, but you can use them as plain old (i.e. unbalanced mono) cables. The sleeve isn't used, and the tip and ground are the same as they are on a mono cable. I was concerned about reliability and durability when I first saw those inexpensive cables. But I'm using a few of them now and they're quite fine. I do carry a spare, but at 2 for $15 or so, that's cheap insurance. In the few years I've been using these, I haven't had a failure yet.
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I have a Harmony archtop with a Dearmond RC1000 and 1/8" jack. I just use a generic cheap adapter cord that's about 6" long. Works fine and doesn't add any extra bulk. It's like these:
Amazon.com
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i have used the little 1/8 jacks for years on most of my Dearmond pup. They are easy to find and can make them yourself if you can solder and simply buy the plug. I too like keith do not like too much metal and hardware on the guitar. Ideally any more the jack in the endpin is the best but no need to covert if you don't have to.
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Cable adapters, cables:
Tapastring Guitar Care Products | The "Vintage Jack" | End Pin Jack No Drilling Required
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Just a plug for the Vintage Jack—it is a high quality product that will work for any guitar where you don’t want to make a major modification to the end pin, i.e., drill a big hole. It is very sturdy and well made. And plugs do not fall out easily or seem unstable when they’re plugged in.
Originally Posted by Geechnyc
The price seems a LOT higher than when I got mine about 10 years ago—tariffs and inflation maybe—but probably worth it, if authenticity is important. Glad to know the company is still around. A lot of smaller manufacturers are getting squeezed to death these days.
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Use a 1/8th" to 1/8th" headphone cable. Use a 1/8th" to 1/4er" adapter on the amp input. The 1/8th" headphone cable is far more slinky and I don't hear deleterious effects on 20-feet runs.
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Thats a great idea. I never thought of doing this and putting the adapter on the amp end. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Keith
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