Choosing the Right Cable Length for Your Setup

Using instrument cables of the proper length can both help your sound and make your stage setup look neater. They can also help you perform better too, as having to stand close to your amp or pedalboard because you didn’t bring long enough cables can really put a damper on your show. There are a few simple guidelines to follow, whether you’re putting together your first gig rig or re-evaluating your current setup.

1. Which venues you usually play. If you’re playing at venues with smaller stages, you can save some space and weight by using shorter cables. There is no need to have excess cable lying around the stage cluttering things up and giving your bandmates something they can trip over in close quarters.

If you’re never played at a certain venue before, it helps to do your research and find out what the stage layout is. For instance, if the provided backline is placed all the way back behind your drummer, or the stage is oddly shaped, you’re going to need to bring some longer cables, lest you end up standing five feet in front of your amp while the rest of your band works the front of the stage.

2. Whether or not you have a pedalboard. This is a pretty simple one, but it’s important to consider both your cable run from your instrument to your pedalboard, and your pedalboard to your amp. In the likely case that the pedalboard is placed in front of you on the stage, you’re going to need a longer cable to reach all the way back to your amp, so plan accordingly. If you run a lot of pedals, a buffer is a useful thing to have, as the cable length from your instrument to your pedals, through your pedals, and then to your amp can really add up. 

3. Your stage presence. If you like to walk across the stage to interact with your bassist, or go into the crowd during your guitar solo, the last thing you want to happen is accidentally unplugging yourself when your cable runs out of slack, so it pays to invest in a couple extra feet of cable. On the other hand, if you like to stand next to your drummer the whole set to stay locked in, you can get by with a shorter cable. 

There are some additional things to keep in mind. For instance, sometimes there will be some situations that you will have to adapt to, such as changes in stage layout. Most of the time, you’ll be standing in front of your amp, but there may be times when your amp is placed on the opposite side of the stage, such as when the gear is backlined or the sound engineer has their mics or DI set up a particular way. It’s not common, but it does happen, and allowing yourself a little extra cord length can get you out of a sticky situation here.

That said, it’s always useful to buy a cable that’s slightly longer than what you need to allow yourself a little leeway, or better yet, if you want to be extra prepared (and have the space!) bring multiple cables of varying length. Cables are fairly inexpensive and last a long time, given that you invest in quality cables.

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