Barrel jack woes.

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I hate them!
They never work right, they always short out!
Stupid! And I hate them!

I got this guitar back in trade from my other guitarist.(My 3rd time owning it)
It's always been terribly dark, have wired in a handful of pickups and pots.... I finally decided on a set of EMG 81 85. They are bright and don't give a piss what guitar they are in, they always sound like themselves...

Anyhow. I tried a barrel jack I had laying around... didn't work.... Ordered a new one off Amazon... It was here in 2 days. Wired it in.... Issues right from the get go.
I pondered spending money and having a shop getting this guitar working correctly.... But then I remembered I don't have any money lol.

I ordered a jack plate from Amazon for $7

Wired in a regular stereo jack after opening up the hole

I spent a lot of time debating which route to take, I hate to modify a guitar if I can help it.... But I've come to the solid conclusion that barrel jacks can suck it!

Here's a quick video outlining the issue.

 

[Mincer]

It isn't just you...I hate them, too. I get about 2 years with them, and they have to be replaced. Come on, we can design better things these days.

 

[Chistopher]

The problem with barrel jacks is it's too much work to keep them tight, which accelerates the wear on them.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

The problem with barrel jacks is it's too much work to keep them tight, which accelerates the wear on them.

And if you flex them one time they stop working.
Hate it.
Crappy design.

 

[Wattage]

yup they can be cranky for sure

never use cheapo versions, always fail fast

I try and solder them in place so they can't move, seems to help

 

[jeremy]

i hate them too. ive never had one that did fail. at some point i always drill it out and just use a normal jack and plate.

 

[Chistopher]

I think the only reason they are still around is because a lot of people think they look cool.

 

[Mincer]

I think the only reason they are still around is because a lot of people think they look cool.

It is time for a re-design, then.

 

[Artie]

Count me in. (The "hate them" group, that is.) Trouble is, almost all acoustic-electrics use them. It's already hard enough to get in there and tighten them.

 

[ehdwuld]

I get cheap jacks from Amazon all the time

Not in the barrel jack variety

I spend extra to get good nme brand ones

The cheap one is 8 bucks
The switchkraft is 14

 

[GuitarStv]

Friends don't let friends use barrel jacks. Open jacks are just better.

 

[ICTGoober]

There is no way to improve the design of a barrel jack. They work or they don't.

 

[Mincer]

There is no way to improve the design of a barrel jack. They work or they don't.

They said the same about film cameras in the 1920s.

 

[Spaghetti Bolo]

Just joining the pile on. They suck.

 

[ICTGoober]

They said the same about film cameras in the 1920s.

Stills, or movies?

 

[Mincer]

Stills, or movies?

Actually, both.

 

[ICTGoober]

There's a shop here in town who restores old Kodak Brownies to working condition.... But it's almost impossible to find film and have it developed.

 

[RanchManSandy]

They said the same about film cameras in the 1920s.

who said that?

 

[Mincer]

who said that?

filmakers and photographers at the time.

 

[ehdwuld]

Kinda sounds made up

But your the admin

So give yourself a strike