Speaking of guitar jacks

[wade63]

Bob Bennett was about to perform, plugged in his very,very expensive Ryan, no sound. Not the obvious battery or cable but a bad PU connection somewhere. Couldn't really hear his great guitar playing the whole time, what a shame. But as he went on with the show anyway he had a valid point. After all the years guitar playing, you'd think the industry would come up with something better than a $2 1/4" plug on a nice ($15,000) guitar. Thoughts? (ok I'm exaggerating a little)

[BTF]

I've replaced dozens upon dozens of deep panel jacks over the years. Whether they were in acoustic-electrics, or in the metal Super Strats, most tend to develop a weak contact with the inserted plug, or some part in them breaks and fails to make contact.

Cliff UK makes a very good nylon jack which I'd trust my gig to (I use them in my builds), and Switchcraft's jacks are still extremely reliable. The Switchcraft 1/4" open frame has been used since the early days of electrics, and many of the original jacks are still going.

I honestly don't trust any deep panel jack in my equipment, but my main acoustic uses one.

[wade63]

This would bolster the claim that perhaps the industry should upgrade this. Million dollar idea for someone? After all, how much money goes into an instrument to perfect it.

[Dwight]

where's the roadies when you need them?

[Larry Pattis]

Guitar jacks in/on the guitar wear out over time...a switchcraft jack runs about $10-12.

Got a guitar with a jack more than 10 years old and/or with a bunch of use? Replace it.

[wade63]

Originally Posted by Dwight

where's the roadies when you need them?

Yup, sound guy didn't know what to do.

[Bob Womack]

Replacement: "Cost of doing business."

Bob

[muscmp]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Replacement: "Cost of doing business."

Bob

exactly!

you want a revolutionary new type of jack? next, you'll want a revolutionary speaker! ha!

play music!

[Howard Klepper]

Jacks don't fail mechanically all at once; they let you know before it's critical. Why do you say this was the jack? Just because he said it wasn't the battery or an external cable?

[wade63]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

Guitar jacks in/on the guitar wear out over time...a switchcraft jack runs about $10-12.

Got a guitar with a jack more than 10 years old and/or with a bunch of use? Replace it.

Kips post about "no pop and battery life" reminded me of Bobs comment. How about Apples answer to laptop cords, a magnetic connection? This may cause interference but something without such a violent interaction. How many bizzillion times do some of us unplug? Replacing sure but as Bob found out, may not be the most convenient time. A guitar company could develop something better and provide exclusive cords(even sounds like apple).

[wade63]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Jacks don't fail mechanically all at once; they let you know before it's critical. Why do you say this was the jack? Just because it wasn't the battery or an external cable?

Well perhaps not, but I think the point was the it failed to produce sound and I can see the frustration with such a fine instrument. Seems there could be a better system. I really don't have a particular axe to grind, who knows, maybe someone could get a great idea. I think its a fair point and I asked for thoughts, certainly free to disagree.

[wade63]

Originally Posted by muscmp

exactly!

you want a revolutionary new type of jack? next, you'll want a revolutionary speaker! ha!

play music!

"Sounds" good. I'm actually more of an old school low tech guy. This is why I like live music with real instruments. No techno, computerized stuff for me.

[Kip Carter]

Originally Posted by wade63

Kips post about "no pop and battery life" reminded me of Bobs comment.

Actually I'm baffled how the 'no pop' issue got injected into that thread... Was not part of my gig I just wanted a clean method to preserve the battery without unplugging.... but anyway no harm no foul.

I think I've formulated concept at this point.

[MikeBmusic]

It's another 'barn door' plastic panel in the guitar, but Ibanez guitars come with dual 1/4" and XLR connectors.

[Irish Pennant]

We do not need another type of "Jack" unless it's just like the current jack. My mixers and amp already have all the jack types that they need and what ever new type of jack that would be developed will still have to plug into the current jack. You will end up just being a jack stacker.

As for the performance not having amplification. When I do a gig, I have backups. They may not be as prime as the plan "A" gear but they will still get the job done. Why didn't the performer have a workable backup? Just doesn't seem right to me.