Audio Systems: cords, microphone level, electrostatic shield

Question
QUESTION: how do you tell the difference between a shielded cord and a speaker cord once you unscrew the  1/4 jack off a wire?
ANSWER: Shielded wire has a braided shield or an electrostatic shield wrap around the center wires.

Speaker wires can be shielded, but are usually not.  Also, speaker wires are generaly larger in diameter to keep the resistance low to avoid power loss.  Shielded signal wire does not carry power so they can be small gauge wire/conductors.

Does that do?

C


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what if its like a guitar cord that only has 2 wires--can you take a regular 1/4 jack and put it on a speaker or shielded cord ?

Answer
Guitar pickup signal is very low in voltage level. About the same as microphone level.  Therefore, it is recommended that you use shielded wires.  If the preamp is built into the guitar (some are, but not much anymore) then the output voltage is what we call line level and for a short run you can get  by without shielded cable, but it is not recommended.

In general, without knowing your model and your amp equipment it is recommended that you not use unshielded cabling from the guitar pickup.

C