Bafflegab Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Hey all I'm having an issue with the output jack on one of my basses. If I plug the cable in fully, no sound at all. But if I just rest the cable in the socket without pushing it in, it works fine (but it's obviously super loose, so if I move much, no sound!) I've tested with different cables to make sure. Does it sound like something I can resolve without replacing the jack? If so, what sort of things should I try? I've tried pressured air into the hole, and also wiped the contacts on my shirt in case of dust, but no effect. I do have a new jack, but am cr@p at soldering, so if I can avoid it, great Cheers Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 If your jack is loose, then it's dead, especially if it's a barrel type. Otherwise, you can tighten up the lugs by pushing them towards the center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Too little information! What bass? Is it mounted on a scratchplate/control plate or through body, top or side and is it a open or enclosed, (barrel), type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 20 hours ago, KiOgon said: Too little information! What bass? Is it mounted on a scratchplate/control plate or through body, top or side and is it a open or enclosed, (barrel), type? Ah sorry, I wasn't sure how much information I should provide It's a jazz type bass, passive, and it's one of those types with the wonky bit of metal inside (I'm sure you know what I mean!). I'm guessing that's the open type. Mounted on a control plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 In that case you could try bending the tip contact so that the fit is more snug when the jack plug is inserted. However IMO when sockets start to go wrong, any fix is only temporary and best solution is to replace the socket with a new one, preferably from a reputable brand. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 42 minutes ago, BigRedX said: In that case you could try bending the tip contact so that the fit is more snug when the jack plug is inserted. However IMO when sockets start to go wrong, any fix is only temporary and best solution is to replace the socket with a new one, preferably from a reputable brand. Dead right above ^ but if the plug pushed in cuts out the sound it's likely the tip of the plug is pushing the sprung contact of the socket into contact with the surrounding cavity, if that's shielded with copper or conductive paint it will short the signal out. Try unscrewing the control plate and lifting/moving it so the controls and wiring are out of the cavity, then plug in and see if it works OK. It the socket is good, it may only need moving around a bit so the tip contact can't touch the insides. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedoghouse Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) Just take off the scratchplate and insert the plug and look where the positive spring part of the socket touches when the plug is fully inserted. It could be as easy as a little bit of bending of socket's contact. Pretty much what others have said. If it was me I'd probably just buy another decent socket - it's such an easy and cheap fix if you have a soldering iron and even very basic skills. Edited July 23, 2020 by inthedoghouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Alright thanks guys! I'll take a look at it this weekend. I do have a spare brand new Harley Benton socket (is that a reputable brand for this stuff?) and I'm sure I could borrow a soldering iron from a mate for a day. I'll watch some youtube tutorials I will try the suggestions first of moving things around in there and seeing what happens too. I might be able to avoid replacing it, but it doesn't sound likely (pun intended) Thanks very much all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) The only Jack socket worth thinking about is Switchcraft, nothing else. Full stop. The end. IMHO, YMMV, etc.etc. There's a reason why there are 50 and 60 + year old Fenders around still working with original components 😎 (Other makes of guitars and basses are available, apparently 🤣) Edited July 23, 2020 by KiOgon 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Oh. Okay! I'll look into those. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 @KiOgon where would I make sure I get a genuine one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 They're very commonly available, ebay, any online music shop or PM me - I can send you one. Try the suggestions above first. Also worth mentioning - and I've soldered a few over the years - nothing else solders like a Switchcraft, some are made of such shyte that you end up in tears trying, not saying Harley Benton ones are bad, but they are about the cheapest made basses etc. on the planet, so chances are - - - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cribbin Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Absolutely the Switchcraft one, best £4 you'll ever spend on a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Bafflegab said: @KiOgon where would I make sure I get a genuine one? Look for Switchcraft #11 mono jack. Lots of the usual guitar parts suppliers stock them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafflegab Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 16 hours ago, KiOgon said: They're very commonly available, ebay, any online music shop or PM me - I can send you one. Try the suggestions above first. Also worth mentioning - and I've soldered a few over the years - nothing else solders like a Switchcraft, some are made of such shyte that you end up in tears trying, not saying Harley Benton ones are bad, but they are about the cheapest made basses etc. on the planet, so chances are - - - Haha definitely sounds like it's worth it then I opened up the control panel last night, and as soon as I moved it away from the bass, I magically got sound! I think it was the above mentioned issue where it was touching the shielding. I've moved some stuff around and carefully put it back, and it seems to be ok so far. I'll keep an eye on it though (ear?) and will get a switchcraft jack if I get any more issues. Thanks for your help everyone! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted July 26, 2020 Share Posted July 26, 2020 A shout out for Neutrik as well. Same quality as Switchcraft. Part No NYS229 for mono. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 9 hours ago, Count Bassy said: A shout out for Neutrik as well. Same quality as Switchcraft. Part No NYS229 for mono. Not in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 On 27/07/2020 at 10:03, KiOgon said: Not in my experience. I should have said IMHO, YMMV etc. Personally I've not had a problem with the Neutrik stuff except for some of their early Right Angle "Silent Plugs", which jammed. (They acknowledged that there ws a design problem and sent me four of the revised design - I'd only bought two in the first place!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 On 27/07/2020 at 00:39, Count Bassy said: A shout out for Neutrik as well. Same quality as Switchcraft. Part No NYS229 for mono. I used to always got for Neutrik, from Maplins (RIP). Glad I had a stash of spares bought in before they folded, just put one in a Strat build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 On 30/07/2020 at 17:03, Big_Stu said: I used to always got for Neutrik, from Maplins (RIP). Glad I had a stash of spares bought in before they folded, just put one in a Strat build. Not really a problem to get Neutrik product though . CPC (and doubtless less expensive than Maplin) : https://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/nys229/1-4-jack-panel-socket-mono/dp/AV09109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 I’ve used a few of the Neutriks. They are a decent alternative if you don’t have the switchcrafts to hand, but the switchcrafts are a bit better. Both are light years more durable and reliable than the cheapy no-brand products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Eve Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Neutrik great company to deal with, customer service second to none. Give them a ring they will sort it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.