Amp input jack replacement

[Keano]

I have a SWR Workingman's 10 combo amp with a loose input jack. It's not the nut but the contact arm (?) thing that seems to have lost tension and is a bit floppy.

So my questions are:
1) Realistically speaking, is this something an willing novice can easily learn to do? I don't mind working the soldering iron for basic stuff, but this does seem a bit more intimidating than working with innards of a bass/guitar.
2) Assuming yes to #1, what exactly am I looking at in terms of replacement?

Thanks as always.

[skychief]

You'll need to remove the control circuit board from the amp chassis first. Thats the only way to get access to the 5 input jack lugs. Youll need to pull the knobs. I dont think this would be a good project for you unless you have some experience soldering/desoldering. A tech would charge $35 - $50 for this repair.

[SGD Lutherie]

Is it cutting out when you wiggle it? If yes, check to see if the solder joints have broken.

Remove the circuit board and reflow some solder on the jack contacts on the board. Sometimes they break from vibrations.

I always wrap my cable around a handle on the top or something to stop it from having down and pulling on the jack.

If you have to replace the jack, be very careful desoldering from that circuit board because it's a done sided board. It's tricky to do without running the board.

I'd take that to an authorized service center unless you are experienced with desoldering.

[Keano]

Originally Posted by skychief

You'll need to remove the control circuit board from the amp chassis first. Thats the only way to get access to the 5 input jack lugs. Youll need to pull the knobs. I dont think this would be a good project for you unless you have some experience soldering/desoldering. A tech would charge $35 - $50 for this repair.

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Is it cutting out when you wiggle it? If yes, check to see if the solder joints have broken.

Remove the circuit board and reflow some solder on the jack contacts on the board. Sometimes they break from vibrations.

I always wrap my cable around a handle on the top or something to stop it from having down and pulling on the jack.

If you have to replace the jack, be very careful desoldering from that circuit board because it's a done sided board. It's tricky to do without running the board.

I'd take that to an authorized service center unless you are experienced with desoldering.

Thanks for the responses. I do have some soldering/desoldering experience, but not on a board. I'll check the solder joints too, but it sounds like I will more likely take it to a tech.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by Keano

Thanks for the responses. I do have some soldering/desoldering experience, but not on a board. I'll check the solder joints too, but it sounds like I will more likely take it to a tech.

This is a pretty advanced project if it isn't that just one of the solder connections has come loose.

Problems are first, getting the new part. Then getting the old part off the circuit board. It's not so simple. You'll need a solder sucker to do this. You heat each leg and use the sucker to pull the solder off the board and leg. Hopefully you'll get it all off and the leg will desolder and be loose in it's hole. Getting all five legs loose at once can turn into a huge hassle. Once you get it loose and can pull it off the board you are home free. Just insert the new jack and resolder. simple.

The big danger here is that the repeated heating to unsolder the original part can delaminate the copper foil on the circuit board from the fiberglass board backing. You really don't want this to happen! That's why a properly equipped tech (especially one with a proper vacuum equipped soldering iron rather than a radio-shack solder sucker) is a much safer bet!

I had to do this to install TRS phantom bass power on my Laney combo and while there was no disaster (thank goodness), it was a rather advanced operation.