If I've said it before, I've said it at least once before: I loves me some picofarad-talk. That's why I'm endorsing the second-generation Atlantic Quality Design ZEROCAP premium guitar cables. I haven't even heard them yet, but when a company throws picofarads my way I swoon like Kirsty Alley at an L. Ron Hubbard charity bake sale.

Though there's nary a mention of what makes this second generation of ZEROCAPs better than the original ZEROCAPS, that's no reason not to talk them up. AQD claims that their active cable -- which is not an in-line buffer or line-level amplifier -- will never have more than about 50 picofarads of capacitance, regardless of length. Typical guitar cables, they say, have 15-30 picofarads per foot; long cables with this kind of capacitance can impede your tone with hundreds of picopfarads, resulting in muffled high-end and a honky midrange.

AQD believes that the tonal difference will be so massive, you'll probably have to adjust your amp's tone controls, and maybe even dial back the tone on your guitar.

The cables themselves are shielded, flexible, sport milled-brass connectors and are available in0o lengths from 5' to 50'. The ZEROCAP electronics are housed in a small enclosure located near one of the cable ends, with a single on/off switch. The electronics are powered by a small battery (no power adapters, sorry).

Atlantic Quality Design is so sure that you'll want to "finally hear your guitar," that they offer a 30 money-back guarantee. Which is nice, because a five-foot length of ZEROCAP cable will cost you $79.95. $169.95 for the 50' run.