Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Use the Amphenol side-angle jacks for patch cables if size is an issue - they are a little smaller than the angled Neutriks. The George L's solderless plugs are about as small as you will get (if you can find them locally) and the George L cable is wonderful.
George L's all the way, especially as patch cables: their small right-angle jacks are great and the narrow gauge cable works a treat for pedal boards. Make them the size you need, it couldn't be easier.
Aside from pedal board patch cables, there is an argument that the normal size jacks and standard gauge cable, being solderless, are not so good when used as an actual "instrument" cable (i.e. from your guitar to pedal board, or guitar to amp) because the connection in the jack takes some of the strain when you're moving around/tripping over it, and the cable retainers screws in the straight jacks, and barrel-nut-thingies in the right-angle jacks, aren't up to the job for high attrition cables...
I agree: I have had plenty of issues with my George L "instrument" cables over the years, but only after they've suffered rigorous abuse.
My counter to that argument is this: they're easy to repair, and if you're a gigging musician who doesn't carry spares you're asking for trouble. Besides, about 5-6 years ago I invested R1200 in George L cable and jacks, rigged up my pedal board (I've never had a problem with any of those cables. The pedals die faster than the cables do.), then had some standard size jacks and gauge cable to make up instrument and pedal board-to-amp cables. Not only do I have spares ready-made in case one goes, or even if two go, faulty (and they really, truly, can't be easier to fix), I also have spare unused cable and a few jacks left over to make up new cables as needed.
I haven't spent a cent on cables in 5-6 years, and, amazingly (though I do take care of them), there's no cable memory, no nicks in the sheath, nothing wrong with them whatsoever. Amazing cables.
