The ZEROCAP VC Variable Capacitance Cable System

Hear your guitar for the first time!

zvc_small zerocapvccablesmall


Received my ZEROCAP system today in unmolested condition. Plugged-in and …… WOW! Would have never thought the input cable system would make such a difference in my amplified guitar sound. I’m very pleased! Appreciate the fast shipping! — ZEROCAP VC customer Vinnie U., who purchased a ZEROCAP VC Device and 15 foot cable.


Watch the ZEROCAP VC Video

Listen to higher quality audio samples from the video, from full capacitance to near zero capacitance in 4 steps:


Add ZEROCAP brand technology to your pedalboard!

The ZEROCAP VC is for guitarists who want to take advantage of the transparent ZEROCAP cable technology. Slap the ZEROCAP VC Device down on your pedalboard, connect the ZEROCAP VC Cable, and you are ready to rock!

Our ZEROCAP cable technology is already providing discerning guitarists with tonal transparency previously unavailable. It opens up the sound of the instrument in an amazing way by removing the frequency response changes caused by cable capacitance. The ZEROCAP VC (Variable Capacitance) system allows you to upgrade your pedalboard with ZEROCAP technology, on the input (and even output) cables, preserving your guitar’s tone whether you use buffered or true bypass pedals.

And for the first time in the history of the known universe, we have made the cable capacitance variable! The ZEROCAP VC system consists of a ZEROCAP VC Cable and a compact ZEROCAP VC Device, which is smaller than a typical guitar effects pedal. It is powered by a standard pedalboard power supply (9 volt DC, center negative), and therefore requires no batteries.

pbdiagramThe custom manufactured ZEROCAP VC Cable is specially constructed to take advantage of the device’s ZEROCAP technology, but has the appearance of a regular cable. When the ZEROCAP VC Cable is plugged into the ZEROCAP VC Device, the cable’s capacitance can be adjusted from near zero to the natural value of the cable, which varies by length, but typically measures hundreds of picofarads. Watch the video to hear how this changes the tone. Take a look at the diagram on the right, which shows how to connect the ZEROCAP VC System.

What does the ZEROCAP technology do?

For a full run down of the ZEROCAP’s benefits and to hear sound clips, please read our ZEROCAP page.

What’s all this about variable capacitance?

Our original ZEROCAP cable has practically ZERO cable capacitance, and the guitar’s sound is transmitted uncolored to the amplifier. To increase your tonal options, the ZEROCAP VC has an adjustment feature that allows you to adjust the capacitance from near zero up to the natural value of the cable! Think of it like this: The tone control in your guitar adds capacitance. The ZEROCAP VC subtracts capacitance! The tonal possibilities are endless. Watch the video above to hear for yourself.

How to install the ZEROCAP VC?

Look at the diagram above. Make the ZEROCAP VC Device the first box in the signal chain on your pedalboard. You can also use one as the last device on the pedalboard (see the next question). Power it with the same 9 volt DC, center negative power plugs that you would use to power standard guitar pedals. The ZEROCAP VC is intentionally narrow and small, so you can cram it into an already stuffed pedalboard.

Do I need two of these?

Our diagram shows two ZEROCAP VC Devices, one on the input and one on the output of the pedalboard. To hear the benefits of our ZEROCAP technology, you need one on the input of the pedalboard, where you would typically connect your guitar. If you run at least one pedal ON at all times, then the cable from pedalboard to amplifier can be a regular guitar cable. If you use true bypass pedals and play sometimes with all pedals bypassed, having another ZEROCAP VC Device at the output of the pedalboard will eliminate the tone killing capacitance of the cable going to the amplifier.

Can I use various lengths of ZEROCAP VC Cable?

Yes! You can use a 10 foot cable for club gigs and a 30 footer for the big stage, without worry of tone change. Use various length ZEROCAP VC Cables on each side of your pedalboard, according to your gigging needs.

What happens if I use a regular cable with the ZEROCAP VC Device?

Using a regular cable bypasses the ZEROCAP VC Device’s electronics and gives you the regular cable sound. You have that choice at all times. Use a regular cable, get the old technology sound. Use a ZEROCAP VC Cable, get the killer ZEROCAP sound.

I plug straight into my amp. Can I use this product?

Yes, but our original ZEROCAP cable will be more convenient. If you use the ZEROCAP VC Device, be sure to use a very short cable from it to your amp, like a pedalboard jumper cable.

Is this like those “tuned” cables from other manufacturers?

The others “tune” their cables by selecting the length and geometry to achieve a certain cable capacitance. Country cables have less, rock cables have more, and jazz cables are loaded with oodles of tone killing cable capacitance. With the ZEROCAP VC Device and ZEROCAP VC Cable, you can dial in just the tone you desire, all without having a bag full of $100 cables!

Is this just another tone control like those tone pot replacements?

No. This innovation actually varies the capacitance of the cable. The audio does not go through an inline buffer, EQ or tone control circuit. Your pickups are connected straight through the cable and box end to end. (Our ZEROCAP page shows a light bulb being powered through a ZEROCAP cable!) The box simply (simply!) allows you to turn a knob to change the cable capacitance, and that affects your tone because of the nature of guitar pickups. Check out this article, which explains how cable capacitance interacts with guitar pickups to affect your guitar tone.

Does the ZEROCAP VC Device reduce the capacitance of regular cables?

No. It only reduces the capacitance of the ZEROCAP VC Cable. Other cables will work as usual, just without the capacitance reduction benefits provided by ZEROCAP technology.

How is this product affecting my tone, technically speaking?

Check out the technical details on The ZEROCAP VC Variable Cable Capacitance System Technical Information page.

What if I use the ZEROCAP VC Cable without the ZEROCAP VC Device ?

The ZEROCAP VC Cable will function and sound like a regular guitar cable, without the benefits of ZEROCAP capacitance reduction.

What pickups benefit most from the ZEROCAP VC system?

Passive guitar pickups, single coils and humbuckers, benefit from the cable capacitance reduction.

Does it use batteries?

No. You must supply power externally. A standard pedalboard power supply is required (9V DC, center negative, 20mA). If you need a supply, you can purchase one from us using the link below. You can run two ZEROCAP VC Devices off of one power supply using a Y-adapter or pedal supply daisy-chain cable. We don’t sell these Y-adapters or daisy-chain cables (we only sell the power supply), but you can pick one up inexpensively at any guitar shop or online retailer.

Still have questions?

Check out our ZEROCAP technology FAQ page for more info. If your questions are not addressed there, feel free to contact us. Technical support is FREE.

I want one now!

You will need to purchase a ZEROCAP VC Device AND a ZEROCAP VC Cable. The power supply is optional, if you have your own 9VDC, center negative power adapter or system. These are for sale below using our secure PayPal shopping cart. Shipping is added, along with Virginia sales tax (where applicable). Each set comes with a user manual and free support. We will accept your money order or check — please contact us.

Due to governmental regulations, this product is available only in the USA and Canada!

There is a 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason in the first 30-days after purchase, you may return the product for a full refund. If you are looking for our original ZEROCAP cables, you can find them on our ZEROCAP page.

ZEROCAP VC Device
(device only; requires VC cable below)
$49.95
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!

ZEROCAP VC Device Power Supply
(9VDC, center negative, 300mA)
$9.95
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!

You will need to purchase a

ZEROCAP VC Device

AND

a ZEROCAP VC Cable!

Length Price (USD) Cable Option (For use only with ZEROCAP VC device!) Add to Cart
5 feet $29.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!

10 feet $39.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!

15 feet $49.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!

20 feet $59.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!

30 feet $79.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!

50 feet $119.95

(Cable only)

Two straight plugs
Straight / Straight Diagram
Straight plug with
right angle near box
Straight / Right Angle Diagram
Two right angle plugs
Right Angle / Right Angle Diagram
Right angle with
straight plug near box
Right Angle / Straight Diagram
WE SHIP ONLY TO US AND CANADA!


Select Plug Types and Click Buy Now



For use only with the ZEROCAP VC Device!