How often do you replace your output jack?

[guitarhero1983]

I have a fender jazzmaster that needs it's output jack replaced twice a year. It crackles and cuts out and the cable often needs to be held in place by my picking hand (as you can imaging that makes playing impossible).

The wire to my schecters output jack came off on its own last last night, when i removed the jack I also noticed the long part of the jack that follows the length of the plug does not line up with the contour of the plugs head. I had to push that part of the jack into the contour of the plugs head for it to fit........impossible to do when then jack and plug are inside the guitar. I've also had this jack replaced a few times too.

So my 2 questions:
1. Is there any sort of care/maintenance/technique I should be doing to to improve the life of my output jacks?

2. Why don't my pedals have this problem? Pedalboards get redesigned up to 4 times a day when I'm working on rigs and I've never had a jack die.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I've been playing guitar for over 15 years now and I've owned new guitars and guitars that were 20, 30, 40 years old and even older and I have never yet had to replace an output jack...

I know that's not really helpful but I urge you to look at the way you plug in and unplug and see what you might be doing that's causing the wear and tear...

 

[Aceman]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I have a 1979 Les Paul that has been, shall we say, not handled gently. Original jack going strong.

I have NEVER replaced one on my guitars, and I have been playing for 30 years.

 

[guitarhero1983]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I take care and do it slowly, I can't think of anything I could do.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I have a 1979 Les Paul that has been, shall we say, not handled gently. Original jack going strong.

I have NEVER replaced one on my guitars, and I have been playing for 30 years.

Ditto for me. Never had to replace one, even on the cheap guitars. I had a '57 Musicmaster that still had the original jack.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Sometimes they wear a little, or bend a bit so contact is lost but that's a simple matter of bending them back into place. If you're constantly replacing them, something is definitely wrong.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Huh...that's the first time I've heard of this problem. There have been a couple times when I swapped a cheaply made jack for a Switchcraft on a lower end guitar. I've never had to replace anything regularly though.

What kind of jacks are you using?

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Clearly your jacking off/in technique is too rough.

I've never had any issue like that.

 

[blueman335]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I urge you to look at the way you plug in and unplug and see what you might be doing that's causing the wear and tear...

+1. They rarely wear out with normal use.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Clearly your jacking off/in technique is too rough.

I've never had any issue like that.

You must moisturize regularly.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

You must moisturize regularly.

Not even!

I do it pretty fast too.

Man, sometimes I even do it at an angle.

And still... No damage.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I never have.

 

[gilaltom3]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Never had to replace an input jack in 5 years of playing.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Never had to replace one either............

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Is it your cable???

edit: nvm... I just saw the thing about the schecter...

 

[Mincer]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I have seen things like some Planet Waves plugs with the little springs on the plug itself cause jacks to wear. My oldest guitar, an 82 strat, has been replaced once. I will say on cheaper modern guitars, the jacks are pretty flimsy. Change them to a good Switchcraft and see if you have the same problems.

 

[spleenharvester]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I have only ever owned cheap guitars and never had to replace.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Once. With an Electrosocket and a Switchcraft.

With the Electrosocket, the jack can NOT move relative to the guitar, at all. Which eliminates failure. You screw the Electrosocket onto the jack and THEN screw the Electrosocket to the guitar. So simple and genius that it pisses me off that I didn't invent it.

P.S. Switchcraft jacks are STOUT, use them

 

[MisterE]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

Once. With an Electrosocket and a Switchcraft.

With the Electrosocket, the jack can NOT move relative to the guitar, at all. Which eliminates failure. You screw the Electrosocket onto the jack and THEN screw the Electrosocket to the guitar. So simple and genius that it pisses me off that I didn't invent it.

P.S. Switchcraft jacks are STOUT, use them

Yes, the electrosocket is the only reason I've changed the output jacks at all, the original stock tele one kept falling out.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: How often do you replace your output jack?

I replaced one. My 96 Tele jack just didn't want to work properly anymore no matter how much I cleaned it.

Honestly dude, I would take a serious look at what kind of cable you're using. Have you been using the same instrument cable the entire time? As was previously mentioned, some of the older style Planet Waves cables had the effect of widening the jack ring. Keep in mind that the tip prong is for the hot signal but the ring needs to make good contact with the sleeve to connect to ground. If your cable is widening the jack, then it's going to break the ground contact.