Mogami cables

[EarlBrother]

are these Mogami cables worth the money using solid state amps?

[MaxTwang]

I use Mogami Silvers sold by Guitar Center and Musician's Friend, Musician's Friend often has these for 25% off and free shipping. They are much less expensive than Mogami Gold sold more widely.

Mogami Silvers have performed well, I don't notice a sound difference from other $20 - $30 cables but the Silvers are thin and pliable which I like and haven't failed ... so far.

[pauln]

A while back I was part of a large music event (60 musicians, 9 months preparation). I bought a dozen various instrument cables for the other guitarists and myself. A few went bad during the preparation period (cables, not musicians), and after the big event I continued to use the remaining cables for rehearsals and shows. All the remaining cables eventually failed except two, the two Mogami cables! I continued to use them and am still doing so, over ten years after the last of the others failed.

That's all I will ever need to know about Mogami cables.

[Cunamara]

Guitar cables affect tone through capacitance, which has the effect of rolling down the tone knob. You may or may not want that effect. I use George L's which have thus far been very durable and low capacitance, giving me greater control over my sound. Different versions of Mogamis have different capacitance- some low (3368), some higher (2524). I've never tried Hosa CGKs but they are also at the lower end of capacitance; my Hosa low-Z cables have been fine.

Some data points from a few years ago:

Guitar Cable Capacitance Chart • Comparison of pF Ratings by SHOOTOUT! Guitar Cables UK

More recent:

Best guitar cables 2020: top instrument cables for acoustic, bass and electric guitars | Guitar World

The D'Addario/Planet Waves cable is almost half the price of the Mogami and on paper should be excellent. I've never tried one. Much lower capacitance than the Mogami Gold and a bit higher than the George L's, but also cheaper than the latter.

[Herbie]

I don’t know Mogami (I suppose it is sold mainly in US?) but after testing many I have found that if the Klotz 3110 with Neutrik plugs (yes, I solder them myself) is best for my rock rig, it is too bright with my ES175.

My ”jazz cable” is Sommer Session Mk II. It rounds the top end nicely but does not darken the sound.

I learned the basics f.ex. from here:
Audio Cables Compared and Recommended

[rolijen]

The one Mogami cable I have has lasted 20 years. Mostly because it never gets used. It’s super nice but it’s just too stiff. I feel like I’m going to stress or break it. So my Monster Jazz is my number 1. Best cable, best ends, quiet, it’s just perfect.

[cosmic gumbo]

Been using Mogami Silver for 30 years. I like the thinner cables that are much lighter, more flexible, and much less stress on the plug and my guitar jack. I actually let them hang from the jack without looping up into my strap near the end button like eveyrone seems to do. The inner wire diameter is the same as the heavy cables, so same fidelity, and the shielding is the braided wire, not the rubber coating.

This is the same cable that world class recording studios use to wire consoles and make all connections.

Anyhoo....they are guaranteed for life, no questions asked. Have replaced 2 cables in 30 busy years, for free.

[Durban]

i have often wondered about this, is there a way of measuring the difference.

[John A.]

In real world playing conditions, I've never noticed a difference between two cables of the same length. For me, the only factors that matter are durability (mainly a function of strain relief at the connector), ergonomics (e.g., how easily the cable tangles, is it the right length for the situation), warranty, and cost. Yeah, yeah, I know capacitance yada yada. If you try to hear the difference between two cables you probably will (shrug), but not in blind conditions. I find it easier not to notice or care. And if there are cymbals in the band, why are we even talking about differences in the high frequencies of a guitar?

John

[Longways to Go]

My bass player & I both bought Mogami Silver cables from GC together a couple years ago.
His is dead, mine lives on & I like to use it. I think George L's sound better, but they are super stiff, so I like playing the Mogami most of the time . . . until it dies too. Mogami is about as fancy as I'm willing to go on a cable.