GUITAR CABLE CAPACITANCE CHART
From: Shootout Guitar Cables UK • Best Guitar Cables Explained
Guitar Cable Capacitance and Resonant Frequency
See also: The Shootout Guitar Cables UK Range
From our knowledge of Guitar Cable Capacitance and Resonant Frequency we know that a cables capacitance per unit length multiplied by its actual unit length (i.e. total capacitance) is the aspect of a copper (or silver) core guitar cable that affects our tone the most (almost entirely in fact) other than noise from electromagnetic interference and tribolectric microphonics (which aren't actually affecting tone as such, but rather presenting additional extraneous noise).
Therefore if we are to compare cables it is most useful to compare their capacitance ratings, though we should also be aware of their shielding type and coverage, and overall long term durability and handling properties to make properly informed decisions.
Remember that comparing cable capacitance per metre without considering the actual length of cable intended is meaningless as for example a 9 metre cable of 50pF/metre capacitance and a 3 metre cable of 150pF/metre capacitance will have identical overall capacitance and the same effect therefore on your tone.
| Guitar Cable |
Capacitance (Signal Core to Shield per Metre) |
| Van Damme Silver Series Session Grade Lo-Cap |
55pF |
| Best-Tronics CA-0446 |
66pF |
| Connectronics Rockflex |
66pF |
| Van Damme Pro Grade XKE |
90pF |
| Van Damme Pro Grade Classic XKE |
90pF |
| Van Damme Silver Series Session Grade Flat-Cap |
90pF |
| Hosa Zaolla Silverline |
105pF |
| Whirlwind Accusonic+1 |
115pF |
| Conquest Sound USA 1 |
115pF |
| Van Damme Silver Series Session Grade Hi-Cap |
125pF |
| Sommer Colonel Incredible |
130pF |
| Free The Tone CU-416 |
160pF |
Please note that some cables are not available bulk, therefore we at SHOOTOUT! have no practical use for them, and they are more likely to not be listed on the chart. There are also cable manufacturers who do not publish their cable specifications, and then we have to wonder why! ;O)
* The information above was taken directly from guitar cable manufacturer published specifications at the time of writing except for George L's which were taken from two separate retailers.
If there is a cable not listed that you wish to compare but find it to be specified with imperial measurement, then for your reference 1 metre = 3.2808399 feet.
Also in this guide:
Guitar Cable Capacitance and Resonant Frequency
Guitar Cable Length and Signal Loss
Guitar Cable Myths and The Cable Fairy
Guitar Cable Shielding and AC Hum
Braided vs Spiral vs Foil Guitar Cable Shielding
Guitar Cable Microphonics and the Triboelectric Effect
True Bypass Pedals vs Buffered Pedals
DIY vs Premade Guitar Cables
Silver Plated Copper Cables and 'Red Plague' Galvanic Corrosion
Copper vs Silver Signal Conductor Guitar Cables
Gold Plated Guitar Cable Jacks and Galvanic Corrosion
Guitar Cables vs Guitar Pedal Board Patch Cables
Analogue Guitar Cables vs WIFI
Low Capacitance vs High Capacitance Guitar Cables
Buffer Pedal Placement
Oxygen Free Copper Guitar Cables
Cheap vs Midrange vs Expensive Guitar Cables
Glued Heat Shrink vs Unglued Heat Shrink Guitar Cables
