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Author Topic: The proper way to wrap a cable  (Read 5155 times)

GuitarIv

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The proper way to wrap a cable
« on: May 02, 2017, 09:59:06 PM »
Stumbled across this video a few weeks ago:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2SUoAvGxVs


This was very helpful, can't believe I wrapped my cables the wrong way all these years. As a consequence I went a head and redid all of them. Maybe someone finds this useful as well, so I thought I'll go ahead and post it here.

Cheers!

CommonCourtesy

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2017, 09:32:34 PM »
I've always used the over and under alternating method to coil my cables correctly. Have had the same Mogami ones for 6 years and going strong cos I've done it properly. In my early days I wouldn't do it properly and its now shocking to see so many people incorrectly coiling their cables!!

GuitarIv

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2017, 01:12:21 PM »
Yes... and now I finally understand why I had soo many shot cables. When I started out as a youngster playing I used to wrap my cables (especially the long ones) with the elbow method *facepalm*

gwEm

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2017, 03:20:26 PM »
I will try this out next gig!
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

AndyR

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2017, 06:39:44 PM »
I finally got round to watching this - I'd assumed it was the technique the owner of the PA we used in the early 80s taught me...

But it's not!!

I've tried this over under method now - feels quite awkward doing it, but when you get right it does actually have exactly the same effect on the coil as the method I was taught.

You want the coiled lead going round the loops without any twists in it. But the act of looping a lead puts a natural twist in it.

The method I was taught involves putting an "opposing twist" on the lead in your fingers as you loop it over and into the hand holding the gathered loops. When you're learning this method it feels really unnatural to be twisting the lead in your fingers, and you're not sure how much of a twist to use. But like the PA guy explained, it comes right when you drop the "twisted" loop onto the holding hand - the lead just drops there naturally and straight, when it does that, you've learnt the right amount of twist. And suddenly you can coil 50 mic and DI cables in minutes without him yelling at you!

This over under method seems to ignore the natural twist! As far as I can make out it must allow the natural twist with the first over loop, but then the reverse hand puts an equal and opposite twist on with the under loop, cancelling the other twist, net result no twist. Cool!

I'll keep using my old method, cos it works the same and I can do it without thinking. And my two main guitar leads are still going strong... 20 years! And they did quite a few gigs/rehearsals at the start of that time. Nowadays I have to coil the living room cable nearly every night (missus doesn't like it left trailing across the room for some reason!!)

But I'll show this method to the her - she STILL uses the "over the elbow" method with me going "AGH!!!" in the background (lawn-mower, extension leads, that sort of thing). I've tried to teach her the method I use but she can't handle it. This over under method looks easier to learn.
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blue

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2017, 04:48:38 PM »
Intrigueing, and a surprisingly interesting video.  I shall be re-wrapping my cables tonight :)
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gwEm

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2017, 09:59:35 AM »
its funny how effective this has turned out to be. even my cables, twisted from years of wrapping the wrongly, are obviously in better shape now.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

Kiichi

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2017, 12:25:28 PM »
I had heard of this but never understood it. This one made it clear. I shall practice now!
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blue

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2017, 03:44:10 PM »
My cables, too, are looking much better now.

This may turn out to be the most genuinely useful post in the history of this forum :)
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GuitarIv

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Re: The proper way to wrap a cable
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2017, 02:12:22 PM »
Very happy this seems to have helped out all of you guys. I know for sure I'll probably spend a lot less money on cables now haha  :grin: