Inside Out - SquarePlugs SP400 & SP500 (vs Switchcraft
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- We give you an in-depth view of the SquarePlug SP400/SP500 mini 1/4" pancake plugs, quickly becoming the new standard for pedalboards and switchers. We also show some comparisons with the classic Switchcraft #228.
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I was all excited to see the 150w power amp into the 20w speaker... but now I'm realizing I'm only the second person to ask for it... Here's hoping!
They look great!
#likeforbrett
and yes, i would like to see what happens when you plug a 150w power amp into a 20w speaker :)
The square plugs look great, but I'm not convinced that not having crimps in the cable channel is more secure than the crimped Switchcraft style of cable channel. When the cable was pulled on, the cable start slipping out of the cable channel. It didn't come ALL the way out, but it came out a LOT (apx 1/4") and coming ALL the way out is what would have happened NEXT. And that's EXACTLY why Switchcraft engineered crimps into the cable channel in the first place: To PREVENT the cable pulling out of the cable channel. That being said, I would STILL buy these square plugs. It would be unreasonable for a musician to EVER put THAT much pull on an instrument cable. That was probably enough force to pull your full Marshall stack over onto you, which could conceivably kill you. It would be revealing to see a pull force experiment conducted to see how much force is required to pull the cable out of its properly seated position and ultimately out of the connector altogether. #ProjectFarm
A pull test would certainly be fun, but not entirely helpful as it wouldn't really apply to its specified use. These aren't meant to be used as your main instrument connector. They are meant for pedalboards and switchers. The main benefit is the reduced size and shape. I can't imagine any scenario where a pedalboard or switcher cable would have that kind of pull force applied to it, unless it was in a situation where you'd really be worrying about a lot more than the cable connector.
The 228 is still the best pancake connector for instrument or small speaker cable. No question there. But, the SquarePlug has taken its place in smaller/tighter spaces, like pedalboards and switchers, where they aren't subject to the same kinds of stress.
Rock on!
Blow up the speaker!!! Blow up the speaker!!! Blow up the speaker!!! Blow up the speaker!!! Blow up the speaker!!!
Those things, the SP400, are EXTREMELY difficult to solder to. The holes on the solder taps are very small. You have to bend the ground tab up to get wire through it. And the hole is so small you can only get a few of the shield wires through. I do not like them. Very difficult to work with.
What kind of cable were you using? We use 20AWG cable and it fits just fine through the holes. Maybe you have a version from an older manufacturing run with smaller holes?
Next Gen Guitars i bought then from Best Tronics Pro Audio and was using cable from them which they recommend to use with the plugs. It has a braided shield instead of spiral, and is quite thick when you separate the braid and twist it. I ended up just using a few of the shield wires so they would fit in the ground lug hole.
Yeah, definitely wouldn't recommend cable with braided shield wire for those. Glad you got it working in the end! 👍
Next Gen Guitars sorry for the late reply, I just saw this. I am using the cable that you recommended for the SP400. It has a braided shield which is where the difficulty was. I got them to work but it was a good bit of work.
@@roberthurless4615 Just to recap, you mentioned you purchased it somewhere else, and they recommended that cable. We wouldn't do such a thing... We didn't even carry the SP400 until a few days ago. Best of luck! 👍