What Speaker Wire To Use???

[scoobyzjr]

I purchased a used 4x12 cabinet and the person who had it before me swapped out the original speakers and not only replaced the speakers, but used a ton of different wires to hook up the new speakers, including some old lamp wire!

I want to replace all the speaker wire in the cab and I was wondering what the best replacement wire is - or what anyone else has used??? Thanks!

 

[coldsteal2]

lamp and as chord wire is fine

 

[scoobyzjr]

Thanks!

 

[longjaw]

Go to your local Hi-Fi store and ask for a few feet of their best speaker cable and replace the whole lot - you won't regret it. I wouldn't be using lamp wire or anything like that cos it's not designed for the job you're using it for, I would kick myself if halfway through a gig my amp died because of a few dodgy cables.

 

[hipofutura]

ColdSteal is right about lamp cord which is usually good quality copper wire. Generally 16 gauge wire is used and can be found at Radio Shack.

 

[scoobyzjr]

I saw somewhere that you should use at least 12 gauge wire. I think I will replace all the wiring. At least that way, it will be consistent throughout.

 

[hipofutura]

12 gauge wire will be heavier than the patch cable you'll use to connect the head to the speaker cab, and those cables can be quite long. You're only going to a need couple feet inside the cab. 16 gauge would be more appropriate.

 

[scoobyzjr]

I just saw on the PRS website that they are selling guitar and speaker cables. Their speaker cables are 10 gauge.

 

[scoobyzjr]

Really, how much difference does the gauge make. Who here can really tell the difference without knowing which is which?

 

[hipofutura]

You can probably get those cable in 50' - 100' lengths. That's why the heavy wire. If the If you're more comfortable with the 12 gauge wire then by all means go for it.