Choosing between angled and straight guitar cables might seem trivial, but this decision can significantly impact your comfort, sound quality, and overall playing experience.
We know the cables are necessary, but which kind should you buy? Why use a right-angle guitar cable?
Right-angled guitar cables are helpful for guitars with input jacks that are flush with the guitar’s body, such as front-mounted or side-mounted input jacks. Right-angled cables help prevent any damage that may occur to the cord itself or the guitar, or other equipment if something bumps the cable.
A Fender Telecaster or a Gibson Les Paul are two examples of guitars with flush-mounted input jacks.
Angled guitar cables have more uses than the ones I just mentioned. This article explores their practical advantages and offers unique insights to help you decide what’s best for your setup.
What Is The Purpose Of A Right Angle Plug For Guitar Players?
There are two primary choices of cable types in terms of the jack type—cables with right-angled jacks and straight-jack cables.
The purpose of a guitar cable with right-angled jacks is to reduce the strain placed on the cord and the plug and help keep the cable closer to the guitar’s body, making it less likely to be hit and cause damage to the cable or the instrument.
That said, not all guitars accept a right-angled jack. The type of input jack your guitar has is another reason why guitar players may use a right-angled cable. Guitars with a face-mounted cup-like input require a straight-jack cable. Think of a guitar like the Fender Stratocaster. It isn’t easy to fit a right-angled jack into that kind of plug.
Almost all other guitar inputs are flush with the guitar body, making them ideal candidates for using a right-angled plug.
There are guitar models like the Gibson Les Paul that have input jacks mounted right on the front. A standard straight-jack cable would stick straight out and likely get bumped, not to mention what could happen if you stepped on the cable. Pulling at the wrong angle on the cable while inserted into the guitar’s jack could cause a lot of damage to the guitar, possibly even damaging the wood body.
It’s not uncommon for Stright-jack cables to be bumped into things as you’re moving around the stage. Straight jacks are often more dangerous to use than right-angled cables. Safety is one of the main reasons for using right-angled cables, but there are many other reasons why they are so popular.
Advantages of Angled Guitar Cables
Prevent Damage and Enhance Durability
Angled guitar cables significantly reduce the risk of damage to your instrument’s input jack by alleviating strain. Straight cables protrude outward and apply constant downward pressure, which, over time, can loosen or damage internal jack connections.
Angled cables redirect this stress laterally, aligning naturally with the instrument’s contours. This results in substantially lower risks of jack-related failures, thereby reducing repair costs and downtime for musicians who perform regularly.
Improved Ergonomics
The ergonomic advantages of angled guitar cables become particularly evident with extended use. For guitars with flush or side-mounted input jacks, straight cables can create discomfort or distraction due to protrusion and awkward cable management.
Angled cables contour neatly against the instrument’s body, making it easier for players to move freely on stage or during practice sessions without fear of accidental cable pulls or disconnections. This ergonomic benefit enhances overall performance comfort and allows musicians to focus entirely on their playing.
Space Efficiency
Space management is critical for musicians using pedalboards loaded with various effects units. Straight cables, due to their protruding connectors, occupy unnecessary space and often cause clutter, potentially complicating troubleshooting or adjustments.
Angled cables allow pedals and devices to be placed much closer together, maximizing available space and significantly improving the overall organization of pedalboard layouts. This efficiency leads to quicker setup times and smoother performances.
Expert Insights and Unique Tips
Professional Guitarist Advice
We interviewed seasoned professional guitarist Jason Richards, who emphasized the functional transformation angled cables provided.
Richards explained, “Using angled cables isn’t merely a minor convenience—it has significantly streamlined my stage setup. It practically eliminates cable tangles, reduces the chance of accidental cable pulls during energetic performances, and helps me maintain a clean, professional appearance. Additionally, I notice far fewer connection issues during rigorous tour schedules, dramatically improving reliability.”
Maintenance Tips
Experts in guitar maintenance recommend regularly rotating angled cables between high-stress locations such as guitars, pedalboards, and amplifiers. This practice evenly distributes wear, helping maintain cable integrity and preventing internal wiring damage.
Guitar technician Sara Collins recommends an insightful maintenance strategy for maximizing cable longevity. Collins suggests regularly rotating angled cables between high-stress locations such as guitars and pedalboards.
“This routine distributes the cable wear evenly, helping maintain signal integrity and preventing internal wiring damage,” Collins elaborates. “Furthermore, periodic visual inspections for cable damage and gentle cleaning of connectors using electronic contact cleaner can prevent oxidation and ensure consistent audio quality over extended use.”
Does The Right Angle Go Into The Guitar or Amp?
A common question among guitarists is whether the angled end of the cable should be plugged into the guitar or the amplifier.
Typically, the angled plug goes into the guitar to prevent protrusion and minimize jack damage, though placement can vary based on your specific gear and comfort.
So far, I’ve focused solely on plugging right-angled guitar cables into the guitar, but what about the other end of the cable that plugs into some part of your signal chain? Whether you use a pedal or an amplifier, right-angled guitar cables may be a good idea to use on both ends.
What if the guitar cable has a straight plug and a right-angle plug on the other end? Does the right angle go into the guitar or the amp?
In general, plug in the cable so that the least amount of stress is placed on the cable, the guitar, and the amplifier. If the jack on the guitar will only accept one type of plug, then use that type. It does not matter what direction the signal flows through the cable.
You can find cables with any combination of plug types. There are cables with straight plugs at both ends. And there are some cables with one right-angle plug that have a straight plug at the other end. There are also cables that have right-angled plugs at both ends.
Find and buy the cable that best suits your setup. I have multiple cables for when I’m playing in a different situation or changing guitars or amps.
Some setups and instruments might benefit from plugging the angled end into the amplifier or pedalboard, particularly if the amp or effects pedals have inputs positioned in tight or constrained spaces.
Amplifiers with top-mounted input jacks are an excellent example of when to use a right-angled plug. Top-mounted inputs mean that straight-jack cables will stick straight up from the amp, making them more prone to damage if bumped too hard.
There are also times when the tip of the plug breaks off in the jack. If you don’t have pliers on hand, this can be tricky to fix while on stage.
Also, you can’t stack a pre-amp on top if the cable is in the way. A right-angled jack would fix that problem. Using a right-angled cable means that the cable will run flat against the amp’s top and out the side, allowing you to route it as needed.
I sometimes see a point of stress when someone has an amp stack or a large speaker cabinet. A straight-angled plug will place more pressure on the plug and jack due to the weight of the cable and the result of it having more torque from sticking out.
Lastly, right-angled cables are great for connecting all your pedals when using a pedalboard. Often pedals are placed closely together, and there is no room for a straight jack to be sticking out. Right-angled jacks will allow you to fit your pedals next to each other, allowing for maximum space efficiency and more pedals!
These cables are often referred to as patch cables and will have a right-angle jack on both ends. These low–profile cable ends mean they can fit tight between your various pedals.
Ultimately, choosing the proper orientation depends on your specific gear and comfort preferences—always prioritize what feels secure and practical for your playing style.
Interactive Q&A Section
Q: Can angled cables improve my sound quality?
A: While angled cables primarily address ergonomic and durability concerns, high-quality angled cables do minimize interference and improve sound consistency by securely maintaining connections and reducing cable strain.
Q: Are angled cables suitable for all guitars?
A: They are ideal for guitars with side-mounted or flush-mounted jacks but might be less beneficial for guitars with recessed or awkwardly positioned inputs. Always test the cable with your specific instrument.
Reputable Sources for Further Reading
- BassBuzz Forum: Cable Management Best Practices
- Acoustic Guitar Forum: Straight vs Angled Jack Discussion
- Reddit Musician Community: Guitar Gear Maintenance
Conclusion
I would argue that most guitar players use right-angled guitar cables.
Choosing an angled cable over a straight jack isn’t just about aesthetics or preference—it’s a practical decision that can improve your playing experience and protect your valuable gear. Leveraging professional insights, adopting good maintenance practices, and enhancing your setup with angled cables can significantly benefit both amateur and professional guitarists alike.
In the end, both types of cables will work with your setup as long as the cable can be inserted into the plug. After determining the best cable to prevent damage to your equipment, it boils down to personal preference. Just keep in mind that right-angled cables are usually the safer choice for almost every type of guitar on the market and should at least be considered for use by every electric guitarist!