12 years of dead cables

[lazyboy]

I guess I'm a pack rat, but have a box with about 15 non-functioning guitar cables in it. I also have a voltmeter, a soldering iron, and a shortage of properly working cables. Question is: How do I check to see if the length of cable is still good? If its in the jacks, is it usually a bad solder joint? can I resolder using the same jacks or should I buy new ones?

A few of the cables have something of a compression fitting rather than a solder joint, would I benefit from cutting the tips off and trying again? I could save myself quite a few quid if I can fix these. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and do some of this shit myself. Any help?

 

[pchorman]

Intermittent cables or connections can often be determined by plugging in, strumming a chord and flexing the cables where the meet each connector. (Or use a continuity tester/ohmmeter to tell. A voltmeter won't help unless you energize the cable - while it is not plugged into anything.)

If you can open the connectors, certainly have a look inside and see whether the inner conductor or outside braid (shield) is yanked out. That is more common than a cold solder joint.

If you can salvage the connector without making a mess out of the compression fitting, clean up the excess solder and reuse it.

If none of the above apply, sever the connector clean and start over. With connectors removed, do a continuity check on the cable and confirm that it works.

Chances are high that the cable is fine. These almost always fail at a connector, not in the middle. I will bet you much money that every last one of your cables is fine and that a connection is hosed.

Let me know.



[Edited by pchorman on 11-17-2000 at 14:56]