Your first thought might be that your cable is defective.

Sometimes the problem sound and signal is not the result of the cable but the result of your gear.

Since the cable is an electrical signal conduit and probably the least expensive replacement fix, lets learn how to test it using your gear as a starting point.

Before you get started though, try another cable first.  If you are experiencing the same or similar problem with sound it is probably gear related.

1.)    If you get a buzzing, hum, or signal cutting in or out check your gear first.  Jacks and receptors become loose, bent and broken.

Instrument Testing:

Most connectors clip into your jack by the internal ball bearings, bent metal “fingers” or the like.  Normal use of putting your cable in and taking your cable out of the jack will wear these down.  You will usually know when it has worn down because your cable will be loose, or will easily pull out of the jack.

A loose or wiggling nut on the guitar connector can signify the receptor inside the guitar is bent or broken.

If it is your jack, you can take your instrument to a dealer for repair, or follow some of the DIY advice that is readily available on the web.

Tip:  Do not turn the nut until it was tight without removing the jack from the guitar. If you just turn the nut tight from the outside of the guitar, you’ll end up twisting the jack and wires around inside the guitar until they break away from their connections.  If you do this, you will get more buzz, or no signal at all.

Hook your cable to the guitar and then the cable to the amp before you switch the amp on. All amps make a loud buzzing noise if you put the jack in the socket when cable is hooked up to the amp the amp is on. If you’re still getting buzzing once it’s in the socket, it could well be a problem with the wiring internally on your instrument because of a loose jack. 

Amp Testing: 

Check your amp input jack.  It can become stressed out over time and lose their solid connection to the printed circuit board (PCB).  You can sometimes diagnose this because your sound will cut in and out, or not work at all.

Tip:  You can minimize the possibly of stressing out your jack by wrapping your cable under the amp’s carrying handle.  This way, when you walk 15 feet away from your amp while your playing, but your cable is only 12 feet, the pull will be absorbed by the handle and not the jack.

2.)  If you followed the above recommendations and the cable still appears to be the culprit, we suggest doing the following.  

Cable Examination

Pick up the cord and look for inconsistency of the gauge like dents in the cable.  Sometimes repeatedly stepping on your cord or wrapping it incorrectly for storage, or resting your guitar so that the weight is on the cable connector will eventually break and damage the wires inside.  If so, you have a damaged cable and you will have to replace your cable by purchasing a new one.

Check the plugs.  You can unscrew them and examine the epoxy potted connector on the inside.  If it appears have come apart from the connector, you have a defective cable and you should return it as described in the Warranty Section of this site.

Lastly, if you have tried these recommended steps and your cable is just bad (which does, unfortunately happen sometimes), you should request a replacement on your cable.  Please see our Lifetime Warrant  policy for how to make a claim.