Input jack fell into bass

Bloodbuzz · #1 02-01-2012, 09:18 PM

Yesterday I went to plug my cable into my bass and it didn't really go in, then I pulled it out and the nut and washer fell out. The cable on the inside has fallen to the side and I can't get to it very easily. I can pull it out sometimes up there is not enough of it for me to put the nut and washer back on, and the cable is pulling into the body (or at least that's what it feels like). I've tried grabbing it with pliers and then putting the nut and washer on but that doesn't work because the pliers are in the way of the threads. I thought about using a magnet maybe but I don't have one. Any ideas? I'd like to not take my bass apart if possible.

**colcifer** · #2 02-01-2012, 09:26 PM

This happens sometimes-nothing horrible. If turning the bass face down and shaking it gets you nowhere, just find a screwdriver and open the control cavity. It's just three screws, you're not taking it apart much. Put the washer and nut back on, close up, and you're all done. Post again with the results.

ThatBassistDude · #3 02-01-2012, 09:27 PM

Just take off the controll plate and put it back in.

Bloodbuzz · #4 02-01-2012, 09:36 PM

I can't take off the control plate because I have stacked controls.

T-Bird · #5 02-01-2012, 09:46 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodbuzz

I can't take off the control plate because I have stacked controls.

Care to elaborate a bit?

A pic perhaps?

The nut coming loose on the output

, jack on an instrument is very common thing to happen.

A dab of clear nail polish or low strength thread locking compound will prevent that from happening in the future.

Regards
Sam

Pilgrim · #6 02-01-2012, 09:48 PM

Bass brand and model, plus pictures, please.

Bloodbuzz · #7 02-01-2012, 09:51 PM

It's a Squier VM Jaguar. I can't take pictures. I'm just going to bring it into my local shop because I can't fix it because I'm an idiot. Thanks for the help though.

BritPicker · #8 02-01-2012, 10:02 PM

You just need to unscrew the 3 (think there's 3) screws on the metal plate. The stacked knobs are attached to it, no need to touch them! Once the screws are off, gently lift the whole thing off and you should be able to retrieve the socket easily.

screw it back on using the correct sized spanner (not pliers!!) and the gently put it back together.

I have a VM Jag too. btw. Great basses!!

T-Bird · #9 02-01-2012, 10:04 PM

Hi.

You do know what they say about acknowledging the problem is the first step to recovery

.

If it's the version with the oval "Strat" style jack housing, just unscrew the two screws holding the plate.

Regards
Sam

bassthumpersf · #10 02-02-2012, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodbuzz

It's a Squier VM Jaguar. I can't take pictures. I'm just going to bring it into my local shop because I can't fix it because I'm an idiot. Thanks for the help though.

Well, at least you realize you're am idiot! ;-)

fhm555 · #11 02-02-2012, 09:59 AM

Simple solution...slip the nut and washer over a set of needle nose pilers. Stick the pilers inside the jack while holding the nut/washer up out of the way with your free hand. Once you have the snout of the pliers down in the jack, open the jaws till they grab the inside of the jack. Ease the jack back in to place and slide the nut/washer down the pliers and start the nut on the jack. Hold it in place with the pliers until you get the nut tight enough to hold on its own, then remove the pilers and finish tightening. A little clear nail polish or blue locktite will go a long way toward making sure it won't happen again.

**colcifer** · #12 02-02-2012, 10:07 AM

Or he could put the nut back with the cover off.

No need to go to a tech, OP. Try! We believe in you!

T-Bird · #13 02-02-2012, 11:47 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhm555

Simple solution...slip the nut and washer over a set of needle nose pilers. Stick the pilers inside the jack while holding the nut/washer up out of the way with your free hand. Once you have the snout of the pliers down in the jack, open the jaws till they grab the inside of the jack. Ease the jack back in to place and slide the nut/washer down the pliers and start the nut on the jack. Hold it in place with the pliers until you get the nut tight enough to hold on its own, then remove the pilers and finish tightening. A little clear nail polish or blue locktite will go a long way toward making sure it won't happen again.

I do know that the modern surgery is heading towards operating through the existing openings on the body, but I doubt even they'd opt to perform brain surgery through the patients butthole.

Plus the method You're describing is a great way to twist the wires and possibly short something in the control cavity.
I've seen plenty of those kind of DIY "repairs" over the years.

Regards
Sam

BackToTheGroove · #14 02-02-2012, 11:54 AM

you need a small wrench and screw driver and 5 minutes.

**lowendfriend** · #15 02-02-2012, 12:00 PM

You'll just have to sell it!

JLS · #16 02-02-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodbuzz

Yesterday I went to plug my cable into my bass and it didn't really go in, then I pulled it out and the nut and washer fell out. The cable on the inside has fallen to the side and I can't get to it very easily. I can pull it out sometimes up there is not enough of it for me to put the nut and washer back on, and the cable is pulling into the body (or at least that's what it feels like). I've tried grabbing it with pliers and then putting the nut and washer on but that doesn't work because the pliers are in the way of the threads. I thought about using a magnet maybe but I don't have one. Any ideas? I'd like to not take my bass apart if possible.

Unscrew the control plate and turn it upside down; if it's not immediately apparent to you what you need to do, replace the control plate and take it to someone who will.

ThingsAbove · #17 02-02-2012, 03:06 PM

JB Weld

fhm555 · #18 02-02-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

I do know that the modern surgery is heading towards operating through the existing openings on the body, but I doubt even they'd opt to perform brain surgery through the patients butthole.

Plus the method You're describing is a great way to twist the wires and possibly short something in the control cavity.
I've seen plenty of those kind of DIY "repairs" over the years.

Regards
Sam

Gee Sam, thanks for thinking I'm sharp enough to come up with an alternate, but too dumb to know I don't need to twist the jack when tightening.

Oh and the brain operation through the butthole...classic.

Granted, if it's a jazz or something simple to get to, then why not, but if it's not, take your time and pay attention and you can still do it quickly without taking off back plates, big azzed pick guards, etc.

Craig_S · #19 02-02-2012, 04:47 PM

The best solution to the jack issue is to clamp the neck in a vice, wrap a chain around the body, use a come-along to slowly pull the body back until it snaps free of the neck, then break away the wood around the hidden jack with a hammer. Once the jack is exposed, you buy a guitar.

fhm555 · #20 02-02-2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

The best solution to the jack issue is to clamp the neck in a vice...

Should I put a rag around the neck to keep from scratching it before I clamp it up?

Oh and BTW, for the quickest wood removal you wouldn't go through the bunghole to get to the brain would you? Just take a gouge and go in from the from the back so it won't show. If you wind up with a big hole you don't like, fill it with bacon grease mixed with sawdust. Pack that puppy nice and tight and just paint over it.

Last of all, I'm planning to weld my jack to the plate to avoid this problem in the future. Any tips on how to keep from setting my finish on fire while I'm welding? I thought about maybe doing it under water to insure no fires, but realized I don't have a deep enough pond available.