Posted: 28 July 2020
Can modern-day wireless rigs retire the wire? Should you stick with the classic guitar cable? We take a look at the pros and cons of wired and wireless setups to help you decide which is right for you.
Read time: 3 mins
Some guitarists will swear there is, but many professionals have said there is little to no difference in sound quality with either a guitar cable or wireless transmitter and receiver. Naturally, anything that stands between your guitar and the amplifier will affect the final results we suggest that you should always buy quality products. This will avoid any noise or buzz that can come with cheaper cables with poor shielding.
If you’re in the middle of playing and all you want to do is move around, the only thing that could potentially be in your way is a wire. Every player has got tangled up and yanked the cable out of your amp or guitar at least once before. You’ve cut your song short, ruined your performance and look suitably embarrassed.
Whereas with wireless you aren’t tethered to your amp. You can jump around and rock out to your heart’s content without the fear you’ll have with a cable. This is not to say that wireless can’t go wrong. They will need charging and occasionally there can be an interference in signal. Therefore we recommend you bring both to a performance, wireless could be your first choice and a wire as a back up.
It may seem simple, but a factor that should be considered is portability. A cable can easily fit in your guitar case which is handy, although if not stored or transported correctly you could end up damaging your cable, a nightmare if you are on your way to a gig. With a wireless transmitter and receiver you can easily chuck it in your bag and be on your way, although you will have the same issues potentially damaging it if not transported properly. Basically, look after your gear!
A standard guitar cable at around 20ft can be as cheap as £10 ($13). This is great if you need a quick fix but before long, you’ll be in the store looking for a replacement lead, or driven mad by tone buzz or noise wrecking the signal. On the other hand, better quality cables can cost up to around £60 ($75) but will serve you better in the long run.
Wireless guitar transmitters and receivers typically start at around the £40 ($50) mark on average and can have a range has far as 50 meters. These are definitely more of an investment than a cable but comes with benefits. Not only will you be less restricted on stage and without fear of damaging your cable by standing on it, but with a much further range you could even take your performance into the audience.
Both have their pros and cons and when set up correctly with high quality products, both will deliver a professional sound. We think it comes down to personal preference and what you are using it for. A wire is a great cost-effective solution if you’re playing at home and a wireless system may be worth the investment to ensure you deliver a great performance, hazard-free.
