Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

[Komali]

Hi, me again.
I have been messing with a HSS-style jaguar kit I got a while ago. However, I have an odd problem: the input jack, seemingly the simplest part part of the guitar insides, is acting funny. All the pickups/electronics seem to be working fine, however, sometimes the sound cuts out when I am playing and to fix it I have to unplug and re-plug the cable. The only thing I can think of is that the whammy bar sometimes knocks into the cable, as they are both in the same area (why they designed it like this, I have no clue). Any thoughts? I am not 100% sure it is the jack that causes this, if anybody has any other ideas, please let me know.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

hard to say without actually seeing it, but its possible. could be a bad solder joint too

 

[Komali]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Could be it; I’ve had problems with that before. As for the pic, I will edit the post in a second

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Try cleaning (you can use fine sandpaper or a pencil eraser) the part that comes in contact with the tip of the plug. Also try bending that part of the jack so it puts more pressure against the plug. Lastly, wrap your cord under the neck strap at the strap button so your plug doesn't get tugged on.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

I can tell by looking that is an Asian jack, and they are all crap. Have it replaced with a Switchcraft or other high quality jack.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

I was going to say, once you have everything apart, it might be worth it to just replace it with a Switchcraft. That jack will fail again sometime.

 

[Wound_Up]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

I can tell by looking that is an Asian jack, and they are all crap. Have it replaced with a Switchcraft or other high quality jack.

And what is it that you see that tells you it's an import jack exactly?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

And what is it that you see that tells you it's an import jack exactly?

The single fiber spacer in red, for one. As I said - ALL Asian stuff has the cheapo jacks. They all get them from the same place.

Here's a Switchcraft jack.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

That's probably a little overgeneralized, some "Asian" jacks are slightly better than others, but Goober is still right...you'd be better served in the long run with a higher quality jack like a Switchcraft. I swap them out on all my guitars while I'm swapping pickups, etc.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Are you sure it's the jack and not the cable?

It's pretty usual to get intermittent sound from broken connection inside cable jack

 

[Komali]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

1. No it isn’t the cable; it has happened with multiple cables
2. I will get a new jack; It seems like I am replacing all the electronics at this point
Thank you for your guys’ help

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Since you're going to replace the jack, make sure you get an "output" jack instead of an "input" jack. You'll sound much better if the pickup's output goes out to the amp rather than the amp being input to your guitar.

 

[Wound_Up]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

There's a 'guitar shop' around here that the owner put up a vid on YouTube about switching out the output jack. Every time, he called it an input jack(as well as title the vid that way) and he wired it backwards, as well. Lmao. I won't even get into the fact that he calls it a Tele. I've been playing for 2 months and I noticed it right off the bat. He's been doing this FOR YEARS at this point. No, I won't be shopping there anymore. This was embarrassing, TBH.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Kind of looks like cold solder on both jack lugs to me. I would first just touch them with a solder iron and see if the problem goes away.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Re-flow the solder on the tone pot lugs as well. That input lug looks even worse than the jack.

 

[Komali]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Thank you for all these tips; I am going to buy new jacks because I need extra jacks anyways for projects and stuff. Also, what’s the difference of an input and output jacks?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Also, what’s the difference of an input and output jacks?

NONE. Some people just use the wrong term.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

Also, what’s the difference of an input and output jacks?

There is no difference in the JACK. Don't be confused or offended by my post...I was just ribbing you. The misuse of the terms "input jack" vs "output jack", and "coil split" vs "coil tap" are just pet peeves of mine.

You see, the jack in the guitar takes the sound from the pups OUT to the amp, therefore it is an"output jack". The jack on the front of an amp takes the sound from your guitar INTO the amp, therefore it is an "input jack". The jack on the back of the amp takes the sound OUT of the amp, therefore it is an "output jack". The jack on the back of the speaker cab takes the sound from the amp INTO the speaker, therefore it is an "input jack".

Physically/mechanically they are exactly the same item...their use determines what they are called.

When you put in the new components, make sure you heat the metal lug with the soldering iron and let a very small amount of the solder flow onto it and into the (stranded, I assume) wire. As opposed to heating the solder so it just drops onto the metal. That technique will help to avoid "cold solder joints".

Good luck with fixing your cool Jaguar. Happy playing.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

I also think that for clarity purposes (and this is essentially a guitar electronics forum) we should use the correct terms (of all places) here. Lots of people come here for info, and it makes sense to be as accurate as we can.

 

[Komali]

Re: Annoying Input Jack (?) problem

There is no difference in the JACK. Don't be confused or offended by my post...I was just ribbing you. The misuse of the terms "input jack" vs "output jack", and "coil split" vs "coil tap" are just pet peeves of mine.

No offense taken ��
I was just curious