Lead Problems!

Bassist_Ben · #1 08-29-2006, 03:23 AM

Heyy Everyone,

When i first got my bass, it obviously came with an amp and a lead. After 5 months...the lead started to stuff up and it only works when i stay in one position and i hold it there...! Strange!

SO i bought a new lead thinking the other one was just cheap, after 3 months i got the same problem (It's not the bass...because i had the bass checked out)! I have been taking good care of these leads too! Does anyone know how to fix it...? Or is there such thing as a chordless lead?

Cheers, Ben.

Bassist_Ben · #2 08-29-2006, 05:20 AM

(also i didnt know which Section to put this in..so correct me if this was the wrong section)

pkr2 · #3 08-29-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist_Ben

(also i didnt know which Section to put this in..so correct me if this was the wrong section)

Try reversing the cord. If the end of the cord is flaky, the end of the cord that is noisy when stressed, will be reversed.

Open the control cavity and see what kind of jack you have in the bass. If it's eclosed in black plastic, I would suspect it. That type doesn't hold up nearly as well as an open frame jack.

Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol can be used to clean both the plugs and the jacks. A little on a pad for the plugs and a rolled up dollar bill, a little smaller than the plug, wet with alcohol, into the jack and scrub a little.

Lighter fluid will work also.

Hope this helps you.

Bassist_Ben · #4 08-30-2006, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkr2

Try reversing the cord. If the end of the cord is flaky, the end of the cord that is noisy when stressed, will be reversed.

Open the control cavity and see what kind of jack you have in the bass. If it's eclosed in black plastic, I would suspect it. That type doesn't hold up nearly as well as an open frame jack.

Sorry (i feel reli stupid but) I dont get any of that reli, my lead is like got metal covering over it and u can open it up...i looked at it and it seemed fine..

it only works wen i hold the lead up, like in position and dont move...so could u please explain taht clearer if you can:P im kinda slow:P

Cheers, Ben

pkr2 · #5 08-30-2006, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist_Ben

Sorry (i feel reli stupid but) I dont get any of that reli, my lead is like got metal covering over it and u can open it up...i looked at it and it seemed fine..

it only works wen i hold the lead up, like in position and dont move...so could u please explain taht clearer if you can:P im kinda slow:P

Cheers, Ben

No need to ever feel stupid 'cause you don't understand something.

We're all friends here.

The problem that you have could be either the cord itself has a problem or the "socket" or "jack" that the cord plugs into could be causing the problem.

Very often, dirt or corrosion on the plug or inside the jack causes a bad connection and the sound will cut in and out when the cord is moved around. Very often simply cleaning the the parts will fix the problem.

Sometimes the parts inside the jack become bent or worn out and the jack has to be replaced. If you clean the plug and jack and still have the problem then the jack will probably have to be replaced.

It is not a major repair and the jack itself costs around $10.00. Unless you have a little experience with soldering, you should just take it to a repair shop and have it done.

To clean the jack, roll a dollar bill into a small tube that will fit into the jack. Wet the rolled up bill with alcohol, insert the bill into the jack and just scrub it around inside the jack to clean it.

Wet a pad of paper towel with the alcohol and use it to clean the part of the plug that goes into the jack.

Hope that makes it a little clearer.

ldervish · #6 08-30-2006, 04:49 AM

PKR2 is trying to help you determine if the problem is in the male or female part, (and if it is a male part, which one).

From your description, it could be either one, and they could be just dirty, or they could be broken. Cleaning the parts every so often is a good idea anyway, but it sounds like your problem is more than a dirty connection.

If you change the lead end going into the amp, does the problem move with it, or does it remain with the bass/lead connection?

If it moves, the problem is in that end of the lead. If it doesn't, the problem is in the female jack on the bass.

A female jack can probably not be repaired, it must be replaced. As PKR2 said, if that part is plastic it is not as durable as the metal ones. However, if the problem is in the end of the lead, it can often be repaired quite easily.

pkr2 · #7 08-30-2006, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldervish

PKR2 is trying to help you determine if the problem is in the male or female part, (and if it is a male part, which one).

From your description, it could be either one, and they could be just dirty, or they could be broken. Cleaning the parts every so often is a good idea anyway, but it sounds like your problem is more than a dirty connection.

If you change the lead end going into the amp, does the problem move with it, or does it remain with the bass/lead connection?

If it moves, the problem is in that end of the lead. If it doesn't, the problem is in the female jack on the bass.

A female jack can probably not be repaired, it must be replaced. As PKR2 said, if that part is plastic it is not as durable as the metal ones. However, if the problem is in the end of the lead, it can often be repaired quite easily.

What he said!
Tnx, ldervish.

Bassist_Ben · #8 08-30-2006, 06:17 AM

Thanks guys!
I had my bass lesson tonite and he said it's completely screwed ...like inside and yeah. So thanks anyway mate(s) Lol! ALSO ON THE SAME THREAD BOUT LEADS: are ther such things as cordless leads?

Cheers, Ben.

pkr2 · #9 08-30-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist_Ben

Thanks guys!
I had my bass lesson tonite and he said it's completely screwed ...like inside and yeah. So thanks anyway mate(s) Lol! ALSO ON THE SAME THREAD BOUT LEADS: are ther such things as cordless leads?

Cheers, Ben.

Yes, but they are pretty expensive and they use plugs and jacks too. They really aren't very useful except in a performance situation. They're priceless if you do a lot of backflips while playing, though. JK! lol.

Good luck with your problem.

If it fits into the budget, A routine setup shouldn't add to much to the bill and you'll probably see a lot of difference in the way it plays. Off topic, but something to think about.

Bassist_Ben · #10 08-30-2006, 07:16 AM

Thanks a heap!!
Cheers, Ben!

LakLander · #11 09-12-2006, 12:17 PM

If you are a "performer" and your singer(s) use cordless mics, you'll need to research the frequency on the mics and not get a wireless rig with the same frequency.

tadawson · #12 09-12-2006, 04:25 PM

The other thing to be aware of, is that improperly coiling a cable will kill it faster than years of play. Use nice, loose, open loops, and try not to introduce any twist (coil it "over and under" if you know how). If you coil it nice and tight, and then knot it off in the middle, like I see a fair number of folks do, you are just asking for a failure . . . .

- Tim