Repairing a loose Jack?

[kydnav]

Well, my poor bass has a little problem.
It plays wonderfully, but has an issue with the output jack...
The jackplate is put in correct, atleast, it's not moving or such...
But the output jack itself is loose, I can actually wiggle it around... It's an ordinary jack but I still included a picture of it though...

Is there any way I can repair this myself without taking the thing to a shop?

[62bass]

It looks to me like what you need to do is simply tighten the nut on the outside of the jack socket until it's down tight. They sometimes loosen with use. However, you should get inside the bass and hold the jack assembly so it won't turn while you tighten the nut. Use a small adjustable wrench for the nut.

If you allow the the jack to turn while you tighten the nut you can break off the soldered connections.

It's an easy fix as long as you can get access to the inside while you do it. I can't tell from your picture, but you may have to remove the back plate if there is one, or the pickguard or top control plate to do so, depending on what your bass is.

[kydnav]

Originally Posted by 62bass

It looks to me like what you need to do is simply tighten the nut on the outside of the jack socket until it's down tight. They sometimes loosen with use. However, you should get inside the bass and hold the jack assembly so it won't turn while you tighten the nut. Use a small adjustable wrench for the nut.

If you allow the the jack to turn while you tighten the nut you can break off the soldered connections.

It's an easy fix as long as you can get access to the inside while you do it. I can't tell from your picture, but you may have to remove the back plate if there is one, or the pickguard or top control plate to do so, depending on what your bass is.

The backplate is quite near the jackplug, it's hardly visible in the picture but it's the black thing in the right...

Is it smart to do this myself, when I've never before have been on the inside of my bass?

I mean, is there a big chance I might screw up?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by kydnav

The backplate is quite near the jackplug, it's hardly visible in the picture but it's the black thing in the right...

Is it smart to do this myself, when I've never before have been on the inside of my bass?

I mean, is there a big chance I might screw up?

Sure, there's always a chance you can screw it up, even with experience. I've done it myself once on one of my basses, a Danelectro reissue. But that was easy enough to repair again as it was so obvious I'd broken a soldered connection which was poorly soldered at the factory.

If you're in doubt and you have a guitar or bass playing friend who has done this before (and almost anyone who has been playing for a long time has had this problem) get them to give you a hand.

if that's the only problem and you take it to a tech it'll be a relatively cheap fix-but you'll have to pay the minimum shop repair time for it. It could run $40 in some shops. If you brought it to me I'd probably do it for free just for the goodwill.

Looking at your photo again I can make out there is a rear plate so it should be easy access. Just remove the screws holding it on with the right size and type of screwdriver, look inside to see what you're up against, grab hold of the jack inside with your fingers so it won't turn and tighten the nut with a wrench from the outside. Before putting the plate back on, plug the bass into your amp and check that everything works properly . If it's all okay, replace the plate. Be careful you don't overtighten and strip the screws when you do this. Piece of cake.

I'd take the back plate off and take a look inside. If it looks too daunting, get some help.

Word of advice-"Don't buy Chinese tools. They're terrible" This was told to me by a Chinese clerk in a hardware store.

[pkr2]

If I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing, I'm not sure that going through the back plate will give a very good access to the jack wiring. It depends on how deep the jack cavity is.

Aren't those two screws that hold the monting plate to the body? I can't tell for sure from the pix. If so, just remove the two screws and the plate will pull out exposing the connections. It's better, if you can avoid it not to grasp the bent metal contacts as you hold the jack. It's possible to bend them if you're not careful.

If the mounting plate is recessed around the jack, you'll need a socket to get on it.

If you have the tools handy, it's a 5 minute job (famous last words).