[Tim Sprout]

Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout

[John Williamson]

On 14/04/2014 17:31, Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Most of them fail either where the cable passes through the strain
relief, or increasingly in these days of lead free solder, at the
soldered joints in the connectors.

Chop a few inches off if the joints are good, then remake the joints.
The next step involves a multimeter and chopping the cable in half to
give one short good one and one short bad one, or looking and feeling
for any obvious breaks in the cores.

It takes a few minutes per cable, which will either be worth the bother
or not, depending on whether you are on location with a bad cable and no
spares.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[Scott Dorsey]

Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

If they are good, quality cables, I fix them. If they are junk cables,
I throw them away and replace them with good quality ones.

For most part, if you unscrew the connector and look inside you can see
what failed. If the connectors are molded and cannot be unscrewed, throw
it out and buy a proper cable with quality connectors.

Cables mostly fail at the connector, very seldom anywhere in the middle.
--scott


Tim Sprout


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Frank Stearns]

Tim Sprout writes:

Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Depends on quality of components. If the 1/4" has molded ends with light-weight
cable, don't give it a second look. Use it to wrap stacks of old newspapers headed
for the dump.

If the XLRs are done with no-name wire that in any way feels "funny," and XLR
connectors of a style you've not seen before, X those as well.

If good connectors (Switchcraft of Neutrik) with quality cable that doesn't have
cuts or blisters (run the entire length through your fingers and watch and feel),
then open the connectors. You'll probably immediately spot a broken connection. Cut
the cable back a few inches, start over fresh on all the connections. Clean out
the old solder.

Use a heat shrink boot that starts were you cut the jacket for the wire fan out and
will then also stick out of the connector an inch or two. This well help buffer the
often inadequate strain relief of most connectors. If you want to get clever and
have to repair both ends anyway (or don't mind sliding shrink down the length of
cable to the other end), use different colored shrink (same colors on the
same cable, though). This visual cue helps differentiate this cable from some
other.

Also consider a serial number system, wrapped with clear shrink (done on both ends).
I use the cable length suffixed with a unique serial number. Makes it sooo much
easier to pick out a cable from a rats nest of cables, or tell someone what end to
look for on stage or in the studio.

If you want to get fancy, there are multiple testers out there, some of which will
check for intermittents. This can be really helpful if something is suspected down
in the wire someplace but the cable seems fine mechanically. Shake it, whip it while
on the tester, see if an intermittent is flagged. And yes, you can use a plain old
ohmmeter, though this might not be as helpful as the intermittent detector.

Many more ideas too; I'm sure several folks here have their own excellent ideas and
practices.

Frank
Mobile Audio

--

[geoff]

On 15/04/2014 4:31 a.m., Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout



It the cable looks and feels sound then fix it.

If there is a break in anywhere other than the wire connections to the
plugs, then bin it..... except if it's a long cable with an
identifiable damaged point, that is making into two cables.


By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

;-)

geoff

[geoff]

On 15/04/2014 9:01 a.m., geoff wrote:
On 15/04/2014 4:31 a.m., Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout



It the cable looks and feels sound then fix it.

If there is a break in anywhere other than the wire connections to the
plugs, then bin it..... except if it's a long cable with an
identifiable damaged point, that is making into two cables.


By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

;-)

geoff


Oh yeah, as John said - include the area where the cable enters the plug
strain-relief in analysis for breaks, although that *can* indicate
fragile cable quality, or mistreatment.

geoff

[John Williamson]

On 14/04/2014 22:01, geoff wrote:
On 15/04/2014 4:31 a.m., Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout



It the cable looks and feels sound then fix it.

If there is a break in anywhere other than the wire connections to the
plugs, then bin it..... except if it's a long cable with an
identifiable damaged point, that is making into two cables.


By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English... ;-)

And big strings are called sheets when I'm on a boat.
--
Tciao for Now!

John.

[S. King]

On Mon, 14 Apr 2014 22:10:15 +0100, John Williamson wrote:

On 14/04/2014 22:01, geoff wrote:
On 15/04/2014 4:31 a.m., Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it
worth the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4"
connector cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool
do you use to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout



It the cable looks and feels sound then fix it.

If there is a break in anywhere other than the wire connections to the
plugs, then bin it..... except if it's a long cable with an
identifiable damaged point, that is making into two cables.


By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English...
;-)

And big strings are called sheets when I'm on a boat.

Unless the big string raises or lowers sails in which case it is a
halyard. Unless more specifically named big strings on a boat are lines.
Unless, and only unless, the big string is attached to a bell in which
case it is called a rope. Now, hand me that mic cable/cord/thingy.

SteveK

[geoff]

On 15/04/2014 11:15 a.m., Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
John Williamson wrote:
By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English...
;-)

Not completely.

Jackfield leads have always been known as cords in the UK.


But are they monotonic, or can they pass chords ?

geoff

[geoff]

On 15/04/2014 9:10 a.m., John Williamson wrote:



By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English...
;-)

And big strings are called sheets when I'm on a boat.

What do they call sheets (bed type) on a boat ?

;-)

geoff

[Ron C[_2_]]

On 4/14/2014 6:15 PM, S. King wrote:
On Mon, 14 Apr 2014 22:10:15 +0100, John Williamson wrote:

On 14/04/2014 22:01, geoff wrote:
On 15/04/2014 4:31 a.m., Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it
worth the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4"
connector cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool
do you use to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout



It the cable looks and feels sound then fix it.

If there is a break in anywhere other than the wire connections to the
plugs, then bin it..... except if it's a long cable with an
identifiable damaged point, that is making into two cables.


By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English...
;-)

And big strings are called sheets when I'm on a boat.

Unless the big string raises or lowers sails in which case it is a
halyard. Unless more specifically named big strings on a boat are lines.
Unless, and only unless, the big string is attached to a bell in which
case it is called a rope. Now, hand me that mic cable/cord/thingy.

SteveK

Damn, I don't have a clew what you guys are talking about.
Ah then too, it might help if I wasn't three sheets to the wind.
==
Later...
Ron Capik
--

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 4/14/2014 7:15 PM, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
Jackfield leads have always been known as cords in the UK.

"Patch cords" is common usage here in the US as well. But a "guitar
chord" is something else, though some people spell the thing that
connects the electric guitar to an amplifier that way.


--
For a good time, visit http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[Luxey]

понедељак, 14. април 2014. 18.31.49 UTC+2, Tim Sprout је напи�ао/ла:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth

the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector

cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use

to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?



Tim Sprout

Soon it must be more than 10 years, since the last cable I bought. I got a few for a present, in the meantime, though.

[Luxey]

уторак, 15. април 2014. 08.36.31 UTC+2, Luxey је напи�ао/ла:
понедељак, 14. април 2014. 18.31.49 UTC+2, Tim Sprout је напи�ао/ла:

Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth



the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector



cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use



to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?







Tim Sprout



Soon it must be more than 10 years, since the last cable I bought. I got a few for a present, in the meantime, though.

Not to mention a non microphone bunch's replaced by couple USB ones.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article ,
Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/14/2014 7:15 PM, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
Jackfield leads have always been known as cords in the UK.

"Patch cords" is common usage here in the US as well. But a "guitar
chord" is something else, though some people spell the thing that
connects the electric guitar to an amplifier that way.

Perhaps that's where the 'Lost Chord' came from?

--
*They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Scott Dorsey]

In article , Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/14/2014 7:15 PM, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
Jackfield leads have always been known as cords in the UK.

"Patch cords" is common usage here in the US as well. But a "guitar
chord" is something else, though some people spell the thing that
connects the electric guitar to an amplifier that way.

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to connect
movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another or to fixed points
(like guitar amps or mains outlets).
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Sean Conolly]

"geoff" wrote in message
...
On 15/04/2014 9:10 a.m., John Williamson wrote:



By the way, they are not "cords" - that is string. They are "cables"

Cords is Leftpondian for cables. They only *think* they speak English...
;-)

And big strings are called sheets when I'm on a boat.

What do they call sheets (bed type) on a boat ?


If you're sleeping on the V berth then they're called sails, which also
double (triple?) as pillows when bagged.

Sean

[Tim Sprout]

On 4/14/2014 8:31 AM, Tim Sprout wrote:
Do you guys ever fix your old broken or intermittent cords? Is it worth
the bother? I recently pulled a box full of dead mic and 1/4" connector
cords out of storage as I need more usable cables. What tool do you use
to find the breaks, an ohmmeter?

Tim Sprout

Thanks all for the helpful replies.

Tim Sprout

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to connect
movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?


--
For a good time, visit http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com

[Scott Dorsey]

In article , Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to connect
movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?

Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the wall.
But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a fixed install
cable.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[hank alrich]

Scott Dorsey wrote:

Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to
connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?

Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the wall.
But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a fixed install
cable.
--scott

What about Western Union?

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

[Don Pearce[_3_]]

On 15 Apr 2014 21:11:00 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

In article , Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to connect
movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?

Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the wall.
But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a fixed install
cable.
--scott

Over here, we have cables for fixed installation - the generic term
for which is wiring. Then wires for the individual conductors within
the cables. Flexible connections to things like guitars and
microphones are leads. Only patchbay connections are cords.

d

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article ,
Scott Dorsey wrote:
Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the
wall. But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a
fixed install cable.

Unless star quad? ;-)

--
*Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Scott Dorsey]

hank alrich wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:

Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to
connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?

Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the wall.
But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a fixed install
cable.

What about Western Union?

Bubblegum pop, and the Five Americans never did anything else of substance.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Don Pearce wrote:

Over here, we have cables for fixed installation - the generic term
for which is wiring. Then wires for the individual conductors within
the cables. Flexible connections to things like guitars and
microphones are leads. Only patchbay connections are cords.

Makes sense. Over here, leads are also called "cords." I have not really
heard anything called a "lead."

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[hank alrich]

Scott Dorsey wrote:

Don Pearce wrote:

Over here, we have cables for fixed installation - the generic term
for which is wiring. Then wires for the individual conductors within
the cables. Flexible connections to things like guitars and
microphones are leads. Only patchbay connections are cords.

Makes sense. Over here, leads are also called "cords." I have not really
heard anything called a "lead."

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott

Maybe the guy's tone was too fat.

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

[Don Pearce[_3_]]

On 16 Apr 2014 09:38:38 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Don Pearce wrote:

Over here, we have cables for fixed installation - the generic term
for which is wiring. Then wires for the individual conductors within
the cables. Flexible connections to things like guitars and
microphones are leads. Only patchbay connections are cords.

Makes sense. Over here, leads are also called "cords." I have not really
heard anything called a "lead."

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott

Nope, never come across a reducing cord.

d

[Luxey]

Reducing cord is some kind of extension cable, with adapter from one connector to another, like from XLR to TRS.

[geoff]

On 17/04/2014 1:36 a.m., Scott Dorsey wrote:
hank alrich wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:

Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/15/2014 10:39 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and used to
connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to one another

Like connecting microphones?

Like connecting microphones to a preamp or console or to a box on the wall.
But the microphone cable inside the wall isn't a cord, it's a fixed install
cable.

What about Western Union?

Bubblegum pop, and the Five Americans never did anything else of substance.
--scott


doo doo doo doo-da doo doo doo da doo ....


geoff

[geoff]

On 17/04/2014 4:30 a.m., Don Pearce wrote:
On 16 Apr 2014 09:38:38 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Don Pearce wrote:

Over here, we have cables for fixed installation - the generic term
for which is wiring. Then wires for the individual conductors within
the cables. Flexible connections to things like guitars and
microphones are leads. Only patchbay connections are cords.

Makes sense. Over here, leads are also called "cords." I have not really
heard anything called a "lead."

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott

Nope, never come across a reducing cord.

d


And open-circuit patch cable ?

geoff

[Frank Stearns]

(hank alrich) writes:

Scott Dorsey wrote:

snips

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott

Maybe the guy's tone was too fat.

Hank, I'm surprised. You know that the proper spelling is "phat". The audio
marketing literature for various "phat" makers tells me so.

Frank
Mobile Audio
--

[Ron C[_2_]]

On 4/16/2014 6:28 PM, Jeff Henig wrote:
Frank Stearns wrote:
(hank alrich) writes:

Scott Dorsey wrote:

snips

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing cord."
When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was either. Is
it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea to this day.
--scott

Maybe the guy's tone was too fat.

Hank, I'm surprised. You know that the proper spelling is "phat". The audio
marketing literature for various "phat" makers tells me so.

Frank
Mobile Audio

Does this spelling make mah boodie look phat?

Truly suggests the need for reducing cords
maybe relaxed fit... ;-)

==
L...
RC
--

[hank alrich]

geoff wrote:

On 17/04/2014 4:30 a.m., Don Pearce wrote:
On 16 Apr 2014 09:38:38 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Don Pearce wrote: Over here, we have cables for
fixed installation - the generic term for which is wiring. Then wires
for the individual conductors within the cables. Flexible connections
to things like guitars and microphones are leads. Only patchbay
connections are cords.

Makes sense. Over here, leads are also called "cords." I have not
really heard anything called a "lead."

However, I once had a rider from a British band that required "reducing
cord." When I asked the band about it, nobody had any idea what it was
either. Is it an attenuator? A coiled guitar cable? I have no idea
to this day. --scott

Nope, never come across a reducing cord.

d


And open-circuit patch cable ?

geoff

LOL! Yeah, that's the ticket!

Thanks. That went really well with coffee.

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

[hank alrich]

Luxey wrote:

Reducing cord is some kind of extension cable, with adapter from one
connector to another, like from XLR to TRS.


Thank you, Luxey!

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

[Dave O'Heare[_3_]]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar? Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

[Ralph Barone[_2_]]

"Dave O'Heare" wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar? Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

Well, if you plug your lamp into your electric guitar and strum REALLY
HARD, you should be able to light the lamp. However, if you plug your
electric guitar into the wall, you'll only be able to play Bb (at least on
this side of the pond).

[geoff]

On 20/04/2014 8:50 a.m., Dave O'Heare wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar? Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?


Yes ! And then you can be powering the mains that drives the power to
your guitar amp. Perpetual motion. Or a pile of smouldering motion....


geoff

[Trevor]

"Ralph Barone" wrote in message
news:1855116223419638018.835718address_is-invalid.invalid@shawnews...
"Dave O'Heare" wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar? Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?

I wouldn't recommend it!! :-)


Well, if you plug your lamp into your electric guitar and strum REALLY
HARD, you should be able to light the lamp.

Given the *extremely* low current output from an electric guitar pick up,
(low voltage/high impedance) you won't see the lamp glow no matter how hard
you strum, or how dark the room is.

Trevor.

[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

Dave O'Heare wrote:

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar?

Yes.

Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?

No.

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
protection is active. http://www.avast.com

You just updated and they still haven't fixed the "adds spam to usenet-posts
bug" I wrote to them about at last update? - the update may then have
toggled the "no spam" setting for news.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 4/19/2014 4:50 PM, Dave O'Heare wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote
Cordage is a special case of cabling. Cords are flexible and
used to connect movable appliances (like lamps and guitars) to
one another or to fixed points (like guitar amps or mains
outlets). --scott

Does this mean I can plug my lamps into my electric guitar? Or should
I plug my electric guitar into the mains?

You still need to connect outputs to inputs. You could plug your lamps
into the external speaker jack of your guitar amplifier. It probably
wouldn't last very long, but you could plug your electric guitar into
the mains. But what a sound, while it lasted!

Don't touch the strings when standing with bare feet, though. It's
customary to connect the strings to the sleeve of the jack, which,
unless you have a properly polarized mains plug for your guitar cord,
may result in connecting the hot side of the power line to the strings.

By the way, I saw a product a while back called Chord Savers. It was a
cable protector that allowed you to reduce the trip factor of cables
running across a floor. Kind of neat, actually. I use a few of them to
get cables from one end of the house to another "temporarily." But when
I pointed out that CORD was another word for "cable" and CHORD was a
group of musical notes played together, and that the name might cause
some people who could use them to pass them over figuring it was a chord
chart, he said "Oh, I know the difference between the words, I just
wanted to call them CHORD savers." It must be OK because you can buy
them through Amazon.com now.

http://www.chordsaversusa.com/



--
For a good time, visit http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com