Intrument Cable Prices?

[big_teee]

What would be a fair price to charge for custom made Guitar cables.
I bought 100 feet of low noise cable, and a sack full of SwitchCraft Chrome Mono Plugs.
Was wondering if there was a standard for the by the foot, Maybe?
So If I made a 15 foot cable with above parts, what is a fair price for it?
This will also include heat shrink over the joint of the plugs.
Guys are always needing cables.
T

[g1]

Have a look at the price of similar pre-made cables and I think it will be pretty difficult to compete when you factor in labour.
So what ever you can get away with charging is probably a good price!

[big_teee]

Have a look at the price of similar pre-made cables and I think it will be pretty difficult to compete when you factor in labour.
So what ever you can get away with charging is probably a good price!

I did, no help, they are all over the map.
Just wondered what others got for theirs, if they sell any?
T

[Enzo]

I haven't made cords for money in 20 years. I used to buy bulk cable and connectors, I mean 100 XLR plugs at a time, likewise 1/4".

I was dealing mainly with Rapco, who has since joined forces with Horizon. The problem was, I could buy finished cords from them for not much more than the cost of materials. They had them already made and in stock for common types, and if I wanted something odd like RCA to banana or something, they'd make them. No extra charge, it just might take up to two days longer to get. Unlike me doing it, I had no labor involved, plus the cords came with warranty.

Yes, guys always need cables, so I stocked them ready made. Guy walks in, needs a cable, doesn;t really want to come back later to give me a chance to make it. Wants it now.

[Mick Bailey]

Depends on how long it takes to make up a cable, your hourly rate and your burdened costs. A standard commercial approach is to retail at between 5 and 6 times the manufacturing cost - this assumes a mass-production model. You may need to reduce this multiplier for hand-made cables. Commercially they're machine stripped and soldered up in just a few seconds.

[Chuck H]

I think the most important consideration is what your cable offers that is better than others or exclusive. If these considerations don't apply I think it's a losing battle.

Things "I" consider when choosing a cable are the per foot capacitance, quality of the jacks (Plating, core material, etc.), quality of the insulation (VERY important), and noise. I'm not sure what "low noise" means exactly. Does it mean the cable doesn't make noise when moved around, has better EMF rejection or both??? Whatever makes your cable particularly suited to road a and gig use is what you need to sell. And sell it for as much as you can. If you determine that you have something especially idealized and better than usual, sell the $h!t out of it to customers and get whatever you can! The first time even one customer has a good experience and passes it along you'll be building sales.

[big_teee]

I didn't explain enough I guess, I appreciate the responses.
I am very rural, and the few local shops that we have are very expensive.
So I was going to make up a few 12-15 footers or so.
As far as labor, I am retired, and compared to making pickups, and wiring guitars, cables are pretty easy.
I said low noise, I am guessing here, but the one I made up is quieter moving it around, and picking up flourescent light noise.
And, It says low Noise on the side of the cable lol
I already have a sale over the phone, but don't know when he's coming by.
I do pickups, wiring, Pots, Jacks, and switches, and now an occasional Instrument cable.
I mainly bought the cable for my own use, but If someone needs one that will be great too.
As far as my cable offering more than others, mine won't, but they are here now.
Most quality cable is just that, good quality cable, I do like the switchcraft premium plugs.
Thanks,
T

[g1]

Well, where I am, a 10 footer with switchcraft ends and shrink wrap is $15, and about 50 cents a foot for extra length. ($20 for 20 ft.)
I would consider that a base price and add on for low noise and the fact that you are in a remote area and offering the convenience of getting it local.

[km6xz]

Low noise with high gain amps is usually low microphonic but the cables are seldom built with that in mind. They stress shielding and abrasion resistance or low capacity usually in the expensive cable promotion but those increase the worst problem with self generated noise. Terminate a 15' cable with say 500k and connect the other end with a 1/4" plug and crank up the gain. Move the cable whip it like a snake on the ground. If it is quiet, it is good for high gain use. You can see the difference in cable that is designed for low microphonic since it has fiber filaments surrounding the center conductor. This filaments also improve flexing longevity. Mic cable is usually very good for that but is intended for lower Z termination where capacitance is not as much of a problem. Low capacitance cable is one where there is a higher ratio of inner conductor diameter to inside diameter of the shield, and uses a suitable low dielectric constant insulation layer in the void between the conductor and shield. So a thicker cable with thinner wire if all else is constant will be lower capacitance. It is a non-issue with active pickups however, where high capacitance mic cable will be the best option. Some cable makers brag about coverage % but with the long wavelengths of the magnetic and electric noise that amps are susceptible to, almost any shield is coverage enough.
Switchcraft plugs are good but not as long lasting as the cast center pin style like Neutrik connectors. The crimped rivet connecting the center solder terminal and the rod of the tip are only as reliable as that crimp and with wear, it loosens and becomes intermittent on the Switchcraft. The cast type is all one piece and very strong. When the Neutrik connectors were first shown at AES in the mid 70s by the tiny start-up Liechtenstein company, their novel design left an immediate impression. I placed a large order and replaced several thousand XLR and 1/4 inch plugs in my studio. Never had one fail.