Prefered Hookup Wire?

[s.r.v.]

What kind of wire do you guys use? I was thinking 26 guage from http://store.guitarfetish.com/guhoupwi22ga.html
or would it be better to go with this wire? http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PPP&Category_Code=WIR

what is the difference? is one harder to work with? Sound better?

Thanks for your time

[Mark Hammer]

Um, for what purpose?  Guitar wiring?  Amp wiring?  Power supplies?  Connecting pots to circuit boards?  It makes a difference.

If you are asking about "normal" wire for connecting pots, switches and jacks to effects circuit boards, I have been extremely pleased with the performance and ease of use of this stuff: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=85  It is dead easy to tin, turns sharp corners well and strikes a nice balance between being thick enough to handle things, and thin enough to fit in tight spaces.  Having it available in a variety of colours is also nice for coding wire function by colour.  For example, I generally use white for in, blue for out, and grey for modulation/LFO speed.  Makes it easy to keep track of things (What was that pot for again?).

[s.r.v.]

thanks mark! i'm not sure if i can order from them so would the wire from pedal parts plus work well for now ( http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=2002&Category_Code=WIR ) ? i'm trying to keep shipping costs down

[BubbaKahuna]

I use a stripped PC DB25 parallel printer cable.
24 to 28ga wire depending on the cable, each one color coded differently, sounds great in everything I've used it in (pedals), bends easy & holds shape well.
Best part is, using it was better than throwing it away when I went with USB printers.
Most everyone has a spare one of these around. If you don't your local Goodwill, St.Vinny's, Salvation Army & other charity stores have them for next to nothing.

25 wires in each @ about 10 feet average cable will wire a LOT of stomboxes very inexpensively.
I figured if it's made to handle high speed bidirectional digital data transfer over several feet with no errors, it'll work fine in an effect carrying signal for an inch or two.
Everything I've used it in works perfect and they're all dead quiet at idle.

Cheers,
- JJ

[soulsonic]

For pedals, I use the wires pulled out of CAT5 cabling. They're easy to work with and are usually of excellent quality. Excellent insulation, and excellent copper. Plus, it's very easy to strip them out of the main jacket.

[Mark Hammer]

thanks mark! i'm not sure if i can order from them so would the wire from pedal parts plus work well for now ( http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=2002&Category_Code=WIR ) ? i'm trying to keep shipping costs down

Sure.  Looks to be about the same.  The important part is the "bonded" aspect, since that's what makes the tinning so easy..

[rmo]

I used to use stripped cat 5 cables and had great success with them, but after I had several wires snap after moving them too much, I switched to stranded wire rather than the solid wire. I now use 26 gauge stranded wire I got at Fry's electronics in a few different colors, works great.

[markm]

My preferred wire is this from smallbear;
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=85
BTW, I'd like to give credit where credit is due and give a BIG thumbs-up to Steve at smallbear.
I had a couple small fairly insignificant issues with an order and he was VERY quick to fix it for me and make everything right.
Always a good experience dealing with Steve, he is truly a gentleman and a valuable part of our hobby! 

[John Lyons]

+1 smallbear is great!

I use #24 Silver plated Teflon wire I got from a member here.
There are sellers on ebay as well.
The insulation resists melting, it's a little harder to strip but i use an automatic striper.

The Small bear pre tinned wire is very nice as well...just that I found a good deal on the teflon.

John

[newbie builder]

I use that great stuff from smallbear but for me #20. Just switched to it recently and love it. I might go to 22 though....