1/4 in Male Speaker Cable

Can I use a speaker cable as a guitar/instrument cable?  Technically you can, but since the speaker cable is not shielded from Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), you will most likely introduce a lot of unwanted noise into your signal.  

Can I use a guitar/instrument cable in place of a speaker cable?  DON'T DO THIS!  It can cause horrific damage to your amplifier.  While it may work at first, the high amount of current flowing through the cable's small gauge wire can potentially melt the cable.  This could cause a short damaging your amplifier.

How can I tell a speaker cable apart from a guitar/instrument cable?  Most manufacturers make it clear by labeling the cable in small print right on the cable (it's usually white print).  While the jack itself is the same 1/4 in jack as that on a guitar cable, the connector part beyond that 1/4 part is often larger than a typical guitar cable.  Also - you can sometimes tell if it is a speaker vs guitar cable by the thickness of the cable and how it coils.  Usually speaker cables are a little harder to handle and they are also usually thicker in gauge.  If you are unsure, bring it down to the store, we are happy to figure it out for you.  It's an easy mistake to make!