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What kind of wire?

Hey guys!

I'm fixin' to graduate from buying pre-wired harnesses to the big people's table and do my own soldering of parts--jack-to-volume-pot, pup-to-volume-pot, etc.--and I don't know what kinds of wire to get. I see two colors often: black and red. But I don't know what breed of cat they are, or gauge, etc.

I just talked to my guitar guy, who has wired up parts for me in the past. He said he uses "shielded wire". I asked where he gets it. He said, "Good question." He said maybe an old guitar cable. Well, I've got some of that, and even some old speaker wire. He said he takes off the insulation, and inside there's an insulated wire--positive--and a bare wire--negative. That's what he uses.

What do y'all think?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on August 22, 2018 at 7:49am

Long wires tend to pick up noise. The best wire is shielded, but isn't always necessary. I have had great success using twisted pair wire salvaged from Ethernet (computer) cables.

Permalink Reply by rotten roger on August 22, 2018 at 11:53am

I buy wire from the big box store . labeled, Cerrowire 22-2 sound and security cable shielded . I cut it into 9 inch lengths and pull out the red and black wires, I use the red for hot the black for ground. you can buy it buy the foot or the 500 foot roll.

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on September 9, 2018 at 12:17pm

Shielded cable is readily available, they just tell you things like that because they don’t want you doing your own work. In fact it’s become very economical these days.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Gavitt-Guitar-Wire-22awg-W-Vintage-2-strand-...

Guitar cables can be used but it’s not so good in tight cavities, but I’m sure if you’re using it in a cigar box you won’t have that problem.

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