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Why does nobody talk about using salvaged speaker wire for pedal builds?
So last month I was digging through a pile of old stereo gear a guy was tossing out behind a shop in Portland, and I grabbed about 30 feet of pure copper speaker wire from a 90s Pioneer receiver. It was thick, stranded, and perfect for my fuzz pedal wiring. Three years ago I would have scoffed at using anything but new shielded cable from the electronics store. But now I'm wondering if I've been wasting money this whole time. The solder joints felt smoother and the hum was actually less than my usual build. But on the flip side, I had to strip and tin each strand twice as long because the insulation was stiff and cracked in spots. Is it worth the hassle of salvaging for the savings? Or is new wire really that much better for long term reliability? I'm genuinely torn on this and want to hear what you guys have experienced with recycled materials.
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holly_foster1d ago
Sounds like somebody on the guitar pedal forum said old wire can actually sound better.
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john_johnson751d ago
1970s cloth wire is usually just fine after a quick continuity check.
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