Wire covering: silicone?

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Ticker
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Wire covering: silicone?

Post by Ticker » Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:02 pm

So I'm putting together an order for components for various projects - mainly some first-build pedals and guitar wiring, and finding silicone-covered wire is an attractive option. It's supposed to be decent for audio applications, owing to its dielectric properties damping interference. Has anyone used this in these applications? If so, I'm interested in your opinions, good or bad. I imagine it would stay very pliable, which doesn't seem so bad, other than for tidiness, which I'm not particularly worried about at this point.

Also, if anyone knows of a good source for waxed cloth wire in or to Canada I'm all ears.

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by V_____ » Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:54 pm

Not sure about silicone, but I'd be interested in trying that, myself.

Anyway for cloth wire (same stuff fender uses), I usually just buy a spool like this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-ft-Vintage-C ... 4605e9a692" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice stuff
www.shoepedals.com

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by øøøøøøø » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:28 am

I believe it would be unlikely to have a significant impact on the sound. If we're talking ON the coil of the pickup (i.e. the windings) then the dielectric properties could come into play, very slightly. But the lead-out wires connecting the pickup to the electronics and jack? Seems highly unlikely to make a wisp of difference.

However, not having tried it myself, I wont ridicule it. Give it a shot.

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by Ticker » Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:36 am

No horror stories, so yeah, I'll give it a go. Not expecting any 'miracle tone' at all, but perhaps less buzz without any extra shielding. It'll be a while before I do it, but will report on results.

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by cbm » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:38 am

I just can't believe that the type of insulation makes a difference in the sound. Cloth insulated wire was used because that's what was available. PVC or Silicone insulation will sound the same, given the same conductor inside.

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by schoolie » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:48 am

The advantage of silicone wire is that it can be used in hot environments--that's it. The silicone wire that I bought was a little bulkier than the pvc wire,. It worked fine, but I prefer the teflon wire.

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by Ticker » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:08 am

cbm wrote:I just can't believe that the type of insulation makes a difference in the sound.
I'm under no such illusion that it does. I do like the 'stays where you bend it' aspect of the waxed cloth though ;)

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by Ticker » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:10 am

schoolie wrote:The advantage of silicone wire is that it can be used in hot environments--that's it.
It's also dirt cheap!

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by cbm » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:31 am

Ticker wrote:
schoolie wrote:The advantage of silicone wire is that it can be used in hot environments--that's it.
It's also dirt cheap!
Maybe cheaper than cloth, but not cheaper than PVC, is it?

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by cbm » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:35 am

Ticker wrote:
cbm wrote:I just can't believe that the type of insulation makes a difference in the sound.
I'm under no such illusion that it does. I do like the 'stays where you bend it' aspect of the waxed cloth though
Small Bear sells something called "Pre-Bond" wire which is stranded wire that has been lightly tinned. It stays where you put it, but is still thin and easy to work with. http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Ca ... ookup+Wire" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Wire covering: silicone?

Post by Ticker » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:33 am

cbm wrote:Maybe cheaper than cloth, but not cheaper than PVC, is it?
About the same I guess, just from digikey quotes...
cbm wrote:Small Bear sells something called "Pre-Bond" wire which is stranded wire that has been lightly tinned. It stays where you put it, but is still thin and easy to work with. http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... ookup+Wire
Apparently my definition of dirt cheap was way off... I'll definitely look at this stuff, thanks!

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