Jack trouble--doing something wrong?

[Whammytap]

Two of my favorite basses (Spector Performance series and Kramer Baretta) constantly have trouble with their jacks. The nuts come loose quite often, though I tighten them whenever I notice they're loose, holding the inside part with pliers while turning the nut with a wrench. Also, the jacks tend to develop problems with shorting out a lot. It costs me $15 a pop to take them to a tech around here, as I can't solder worth a darn, and it's getting just plain expensive. This is happening as often as every couple of weeks. I've tried several different techs.

I'm quite active onstage when I play with my band. I use a wireless system most of the time, and I always tuck the cord up around the strap so it doesn't pull on the jack. I keep all my gigging basses in hard cases or well-padded gig bags.

What is the deal? Does anyone make a really high-quality jack that won't have this problem? Is there a tweak I can do? I was thinking of using a dab of automotive threadlocker on the jack threads. Any ideas?

[Foamy]

Once tightened, try a drop of clear nail polish on the nut. That can keep it tight, but you could still remove it if you choose.

[Meatrus]

Do you have a star washer in there already? If not, adding one should help. If your not familiar with them a quick google search will explain what one is and where to put it.

[smoov]

use Switchcraft #11 if you have a pick guard or L11 if its thicker. Also make sure there is a star washer behind it. The threads on the cheap china jacks are not cut very good. You should not have to use thread locker.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Foamy

Once tightened, try a drop of clear nail polish on the nut. That can keep it tight, but you could still remove it if you choose.

+1. Whether you should have to do it or not doesn't matter. Do it - it's cheap, easy, invisible, and it works.

[joeyl]

I have started to use Loctite blue thread locker on all the jack and pot nuts. It works great.

[Whammytap]

Thanks, everybody, for the advice. All of these sound like very feasible things to do! I will try them.

[tjh]

... just not all at once