Collection: Cables
Find the best selection of high-quality instrument cables at Chicago Music Exchange. Whether you need guitar cables, patch cables, synth cables, or power cables, we have everything to keep your gear connected and performing at its best. We offer a variety of options from top brands, ensuring durability and excellent signal transmission for all your musical needs. Buy online and choose from our extensive range of cables to find the perfect fit for your setup.
Guitar Cable
Hunting for the best guitar cable, instrument cable, coiled guitar cable, right-angle guitar cable, low-capacitance cable, or solderless patch cables for your pedalboard? Chicago Music Exchange stocks pro-trusted brands—Mogami, Evidence Audio, Lava, George L’s, D’Addario/Planet Waves, Ernie Ball, Fender, PRS, Hosa, EBS and more—new and used, each selected for tone, reliability, and value.
Why Guitarists Care About Guitar Cables
- Tone & clarity: A low-capacitance instrument cable preserves highs and pick attack—crucial with single-coils, long runs, or true-bypass boards.
- Noise control: Quality shielding (spiral/braid) and solid plugs mean less hum, fewer crackles, cleaner recordings.
- Reliability on stage: Durable jackets, strain relief, and road-worthy connectors survive tours, rehearsals, and session work.
- Fit & ergonomics: Right-angle guitar cables save jack strain; coiled cables keep slack tidy; braided jackets resist kinks.
You’ll spot premium guitar instrument cables in studios, on festival stages, and across influencer/YouTube “rig-rundown” videos where silent switching and repeatable tone matter.
Popular Guitar Cable Types
- Straight TS ¼" Instrument Cable (most common): Guitar → pedal/amp. Choose 10 ft for studio, 15–20 ft for stage freedom, 25+ ft with buffer.
- Right-Angle TS ¼": Protects side-mounted jacks (Strat/Tele), tight boards, and angled pedal I/O.
- Coiled Guitar Cable: Vintage vibe, automatic slack management; slightly higher capacitance = warmer top end some players prefer.
- Low-Capacitance/Boutique: Mogami/Evidence/Lava/George L’s emphasize detail, transient snap, and consistency over long runs.
- Braided/Heavy-Duty: Extra abrasion resistance for touring; less tangling on crowded stages.
- Patch Cables (Pedalboard): Short ¼" TS or solderless patch cables for the tightest pedal spacing and lowest added capacitance.
- TRS / Stereo / Insert: For amps or pedals that require TRS, expression, or stereo rigs—check your device manual.
Specs That Matter (So Your Cable Sounds Right)
- Capacitance (pF/ft): Lower = more treble/clarity, higher = warmer/rounder. Match to pickups, pedalboard length, and taste.
- Shielding: Spiral (flexible, quiet) vs braided (maximum rejection). Dual-shield designs are great on noisy stages.
- Connectors: Nickel vs gold plating (both reliable), Neutrik/Switchcraft for pro-grade grip and longevity.
- Jacket & strain relief: Thicker jackets and molded/metal strain relief reduce failures at the plug.
- Length: Shorter = brighter; longer = darker. If you need long runs, add a buffer or active DI.
- Flex & memory: Coiled/soft jackets manage movement; braided jackets fight kinks in cable trunks.
Brand Highlights & Use-Cases
- Mogami (Gold/Platinum): Studio standard for low noise + clarity; great for long boards and single-coil sparkle.
- Evidence Audio / Lava / George L’s: Boutique low-capacitance tone with DIY solderless patch systems for ultra-tight boards.
- D’Addario/Planet Waves: Smart features (Geo-Tip grips), solid value from practice to pro.
- Ernie Ball / Fender / PRS: Rock-solid everyday instrument cables in classic and braided finishes.
- Hosa / EBS: Reliable utility and specialty lengths; compact plugs for dense pedal layouts.
Price Ranges (Plan Your Buy)
- Value instrument cables: ~$15–$30 (practice, backups, short studio runs)
- Mid-tier / braided / right-angle: ~$30–$60 (gig-ready reliability)
- Boutique / low-capacitance / coiled: ~$60–$120+ (touring, long boards, premium tone)
- Patch cable kits (solderless): ~$40–$120 depending on cable length and number of plugs
(See each CME product page for exact length, capacitance, connector type, and jacket.)
Quick Chooser
- All-around stage cable: 15–20 ft braided TS, one straight / one right-angle
- Max clarity on a big board: Low-capacitance 15–20 ft + solderless patch kit
- Vintage vibe / warmer top: Coiled 20–30 ft
- Tight pedal layouts: Flat/low-profile patch cables
- Studio precision: 10–15 ft low-capacitance + quality TRS where needed
A Short History of Guitar Cables
From early ¼" TS instrument leads in radio/PA systems to today’s boutique low-capacitance and solderless patch solutions, guitar cables evolved to solve the same problem: move tone quietly. Modern makers refine dielectrics, shielding, and plug geometry so your signal stays clear, consistent, and reliable—whether you’re tracking DI, miking a vintage amp, or streaming a session.
Why Buy Guitar Cables from Chicago Music Exchange
Chicago Music Exchange has the best guitar cables available—instrument, patch, coiled, braided, low-capacitance, right-angle, and solderless—from Mogami, Evidence Audio, Lava, George L’s, D’Addario/Planet Waves, Ernie Ball, Fender, PRS, Hosa, EBS, and more.
- Curated options for tone, durability, and budget
- Exact specs listed (length, capacitance, connectors)
- Fast, insured shipping—and real humans to help you choose the right guitar cable for your rig
Guitar Cable FAQs
What is the best guitar cable length?
10–15 ft for studio clarity; 15–20 ft for stage freedom. Longer runs? Add a buffer or choose low-capacitance cable.
Do low-capacitance guitar cables really sound different?
Yes—lower capacitance preserves highs and transient attack, especially with true-bypass boards and single-coils.
Right-angle vs straight plugs—when to use?
Use right-angle at the guitar or tight pedal jacks to reduce strain; straight for amp inputs or deep jack plates.
Are coiled guitar cables worse for tone?
They’re typically higher capacitance, which can soften highs. Many players love that warmer, vintage sound.
What are solderless patch cables?
DIY pedalboard systems that let you cut exact lengths and assemble low-profile plugs—cleaner boards, fewer failure points.
Which brands are most popular?
Search favorites include Mogami, Evidence Audio, Lava, George L’s, D’Addario/Planet Waves, Ernie Ball, Fender, PRS, Hosa, and EBS—all available at CME.
Can a cable really add noise?
Cheap or damaged cables introduce hum and crackle. Quality shielding and solid connectors keep rigs quiet and reliable.
Instrument Cables
Every great signal chain starts with a single, simple connection—and a well-made instrument cable is the quiet hero at its center. At Chicago Music Exchange, our collection of instrument cables brings together time-tested reliability, thoughtful construction, and the tonal clarity that lets your playing speak for itself. Whether you're wiring up a home studio, building a pedalboard, or gearing up for stage work, the right cable ensures your tone arrives intact: no excess noise, no dropouts, no surprises.
Here you’ll find everything from flexible, road-ready cables designed to withstand years of gigging to premium, low-capacitance options that preserve the fullest possible frequency response. Materials matter—oxygen-free copper, durable connectors, and braided or rubberized jackets all shape how a cable feels in the hand and performs under pressure. Lengths, colors, and connector types give you even more room to build a rig that’s both functional and clean.
Great tone doesn’t happen by accident. It travels across the quiet, dependable path you build for it. Whether you prefer a boutique cable with vintage aesthetics, a modern design engineered for absolute transparency, or a simple workhorse you can trust night after night, this collection delivers the quality and consistency every player deserves.
XLR Cables
In every studio, stage rig, or rehearsal room, XLR cables are the quiet backbone—the unseen architecture that keeps performances clean, clear, and uninterrupted. At Chicago Music Exchange, our collection of XLR cables brings together durable builds, noise-rejecting designs, and the level of consistency professionals rely on. Whether you’re tracking vocals, miking amps, connecting outboard gear, or wiring an entire live setup, the right cable ensures your signal arrives exactly as intended.
These cables are engineered for stability: balanced wiring for superior noise rejection, rugged connectors built to lock confidently into place, and reinforced jackets designed to withstand the inevitable pulls, coils, and transport of real-world use. From lightweight studio cables to tour-grade options with heavy shielding and exceptional strain relief, each model in this collection is crafted to deliver dependable performance night after night.
Great recordings and strong mixes begin long before the faders move—they start with clean, uncompromised audio making its way through a signal path you can trust. Whether you're an engineer assembling a new patch of outboard gear or a performer building a stage-ready rig, our XLR cable collection offers the reliability, clarity, and craftsmanship worthy of the sounds you’re creating.
Patch Cables
Patch cables may be small, but in a guitarist’s or producer’s world, they’re the bridges between ideas—the tight, precise links that hold a signal chain together. At Chicago Music Exchange, our patch cable collection features high-quality options designed for pedalboards, modular synthesizers, rack units, and any setup where space, durability, and clarity matter in equal measure.
A good patch cable should disappear into your rig: no unwanted noise, no tone loss, no hassle. Here you’ll find low-profile connectors for dense pedalboards, flat cables designed to maximize space, and flexible builds that route cleanly through tight corners without compromising performance. For players with tone in the crosshairs, low-capacitance options preserve brightness, articulation, and the subtle character of each pedal in the chain.
Producers and synth users will find dependable cables for patching modules, routing control voltage, or building intricate signal paths that stay stable even under constant movement. Materials, shielding, and connector quality all matter, and this collection is curated with those details in mind.
Patch cables might not be the stars of the show, but they make the show possible. Build a board or studio that responds flawlessly—and let your creativity move without interruption.