Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I use $35 picks on my acoustic instruments, but they don’t wear out or move around in my hand, and I love the tone from them. Paying more than most people deem reasonable for something isn’t out of the question for me, but only when it delivers some outstanding results like the BlueChip picks I described above.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

A $35 pick? I'll have to look that up. :cool:

Edit: Wow! They have a couple that are $75!
 
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Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Could you perceive a difference? Or improvement?
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I’ll defend the $35 picks all day. On an acoustic instrument, you have the wood, strings, and the pick (and of course your hands). I’m cool with Tortex on electric stuff, but the strings are heavier and tighter on my acoustic guitar and mandolin, and normal picks tend to rotate. The BlueChips don’t. They also come with the edge beveled, and don’t wear out. And really... it’s $35, and if you don’t like them, people will buy good condition used ones on Mandolin Cafe for $30. Also, once you spend that much on a pick, you tend to stop losing them. If I was a touring musician, I’d use the Dunlop Primetones, which are 90% as good for $3 each.

My basses have quality jacks in them that weren’t prohibitively expensive. I don’t see any reason to spend more than Switchcraft on those.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I use the pure tone jacks with the double thingy
They work just fine
I can get two for 8 bucks on Amazon

Most I want to spend
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I've never had even the cheapest jack fail due to build quality. Loose connections, yes. But that can happen on any solder-lug jack over time. As for a sound difference? Take off! I'm not as stupid as I look!
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

IMO a well-engineered solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Switchcraft have always worked just fine for me.

Perhaps more complex than necessary - will they hold up for long years of use?
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I use the pure tone jacks with the double thingy
They work just fine
I can get two for 8 bucks on Amazon

Most I want to spend

Yup. I use those too. Just ordered some mono and stereo ones.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Those jacks seem to be going on the principle of "more contact means better sound!" but the pickup signal still goes through tiny gauge wires to get to the @@#$ jack!

Until they can show a voltage drop caused by Switchcraft jacks I would even consider it.
Now, if the selling point is security or durability then maybe they aren't robbing people, but it sure looks like a complicated solution to a simple problem to me.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I would not. Switchcraft is fine with me. If I felt like a needed multiple points of contact, there are options for $5.

Besides, the input jack is never the weakest link in my tone. That distinction goes to my fingers.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Those jacks seem to be going on the principle of "more contact means better sound!" but the pickup signal still goes through tiny gauge wires to get to the @@#$ jack!

Until they can show a voltage drop caused by Switchcraft jacks I would even consider it.
Now, if the selling point is security or durability then maybe they aren't robbing people, but it sure looks like a complicated solution to a simple problem to me.

If you are talking about the pure tone
I must take exception

The pure tone corrects a problem I have had with loose connections
Because the single thingy bent
Usually because someone set the guitar on the couch or floor instead of a proper hanger

The pure tone is less likely to lose contact this way

I may be wrong but that's the way I justify it

You may be right

I have some guitars with the barrel jacks that I hate
Mainly because I cant see what's going on inside
Probably the same as the one in the OP
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I would not. Switchcraft is fine with me. If I felt like a needed multiple points of contact, there are options for $5.

Besides, the input jack is never the weakest link in my tone. That distinction goes to my fingers.

Careful what you call an input jack
Some people take exception to that
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I’d understand changing to a locking jack, etc. if one were heavily touring, etc...

If the argument is for tone, shouldn’t you replace all the jacks in your entire signal chain?
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I swear on Timber Tones wooden picks- after I discovered them; i would never use a plastic one again!!

Depends if the jack is of superior quality, and will outlast a number of cheaper ones...

But well, I'm no idiot, and steer far away from "high end" stuff ;).
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Haha, that Qi Jack commercial GIF, reminds me of (apardon me) ... the "fleshlight" XD

... sorry, don't ban me for saying this.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

I've requested their resistance testing data -as they give ZERO diligence or support to their claims on the website.

I'd say there are probably benefits to the rigidity and the system for reliability if you are doing rock move every night on a big tour, but tone and resistance claims are another thing that I have to see some science on.Remember -we are talking audio spectrum only -and guitar spectrum is much smaller -anytime someone makes a claim for better tone for audio bandwidths, I gotta see the science.

BUT -if you're making better system as this company wants -why not ditch all of this and do a new jack and plug system altogether? Thats what I used to do.

Also, I use to put $100-200 Jack Lemo multipin MIL SPec locking connections in my guitars 20 years ago. -you can get way crazier than this.
 
Re: Would you spend $40 on an output jack?

Haha, that Qi Jack commercial GIF, reminds me of (apardon me) ... the "fleshlight" XD

... sorry, don't ban me for saying this.

Shouldn't have apologized. That way people would've thought you just made a typo...:D
 
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