You have answered (your own question lol) with measurable data instead of inflated opinions. You also haven't mentioned a p bass, tort, or flats. I'm getting very confused. This is TB right?
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Are Pure Tone Multi-Contact Jacks an upgrade?
- Thread starter EddBass
- Start date
You have answered (your own question lol) with measurable data instead of inflated opinions. You also haven't mentioned a p bass, tort, or flats. I'm getting very confused. This is TB right?
Who did the measurement? independent lab . Is there a white paper that detailed the experiment? Is it repeatable? The way to really do this is with a proper scope, not software plugins and some sort of robot to play the guitar, so it is consistent. Better still a tone generator. I do not think it is a bad jack but that was a lame attempt to prove that their product is better. They might be better sounding but you have to prove harder.
I needed to replace a barrel jack on a friends USA ASAT guitar several weeks ago. It was cutting in and out. I replaced it with the exact switchcraft replacement, though the replacement didn't feel that much better as far as expecting a firm "snap" when inserting, and could be made to cut in and out with a little finesse. I had seen the Pure Tone but was worried that the jack could be ripped out of the guitar if it was too solid a fit. This guitar had no nut on the backside and was held in place by compression against a piece of string in the hole. The jack is installed by hammering it in....I kid you not. Anyway, I ordered one just to see. The plug fitment was tight and snappy with no sign of lost connection when moving about and no looseness in the mechanical installation... very confident and satisfied with the outcome. I probably could have used a Switchcraft stereo jack for a tighter connection since the PT feels almost too tight. As a matter of fact, the Pure Tone often requires an extra push of the plug to fully insert.
And the bit about difference in tone I believe to be baloney.
And the bit about difference in tone I believe to be baloney.
I recently bought a Pure Tone mono jack to replace the one in my Classic Vibe 60’s Tele Thinline, which I believe comes with a cheap import jack. I also have a Switchcraft stereo jack laying around. I will try to do a side by side comparison with a signal generator and digital oscilloscope reading to discard any gains in tone overall.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I tried to try one of their barrel jacks, but at the time they were out of stock everywhere.
Oh well - that style isn't the greatest but with a little luck I can get many years out of an OEM Switchcraft.
It's actually annoying to me when it's too hard to remove a plug. I'd just as soon avoid more potential strain on a pickguard and/or mounting screws.
IME a conventional jack with the right quality & thickness of spring metal should be hassle free & last about as long as the rest of the wiring harness.
Oh well - that style isn't the greatest but with a little luck I can get many years out of an OEM Switchcraft.
It's actually annoying to me when it's too hard to remove a plug. I'd just as soon avoid more potential strain on a pickguard and/or mounting screws.
IME a conventional jack with the right quality & thickness of spring metal should be hassle free & last about as long as the rest of the wiring harness.
hey. i know, this post is months old, but wanted to add that IME putting less stress on a stereo jack attributes to their longevity.
that is: use an angled plug for a side mounted jack, np2rx, not np2x. and tuck the cable around your strap button.
Yes, any claim that a Pure Tone jack will give you better tone than any other jack that maintains proper contact, is complete and utter nonsense. But as with a lot of things in the audio industry (more so in the world of hifi) there's a loooot of snake oil and ridiculous claims made for ordinary products. That Pure Tone claim that their jack is better sounding, should be reason enough to not buy their products!
Now, I have had a Pure Tone jack in one of my basses, added by a previous owner. I can't say it felt any more sturdy than a typical basic jack.
Now, I have had a Pure Tone jack in one of my basses, added by a previous owner. I can't say it felt any more sturdy than a typical basic jack.
The only difference between a Switchcraft and a Pure Tone 1/4" jack is that the Pure Tone will require a bit more force to unplug it. Any difference regarding sound quality is pure marketing BS.
- Apr 13, 2006
- 624
- 302
- Disclosures
- If you heard me play, you'd stop reading what I write.
They do. I just rewired an old used jazz bass, and decided to try this out. Works fine. Compared with other jacks, there's a more forceful SNAP when you plug in the cable. And you have to tug harder to unplug it.
I'm sure the regular Switchcraft is just fine. I'm just hoping to minimize any chance of future loose connections and crackling noises.
I will say this - the construction of the Pure Tone would overcome the variables in the quality or dimensions of various input plugs and take out the possibility of intermittent contact issues where tolerances are not adhered to.
For that reason alone I'd favor a Pure Tone to avoid basic connectivity issues and all the manufacturing differences found with the cables, not the available jacks. Your cable plug quality and conformity to standards is a greater variable and becomes the more important issue at that point.
For that reason alone I'd favor a Pure Tone to avoid basic connectivity issues and all the manufacturing differences found with the cables, not the available jacks. Your cable plug quality and conformity to standards is a greater variable and becomes the more important issue at that point.
For those that say this jack does improve tone, I suppose you need to replace the jack in your amp and all your effects jacks....
So an update to this -
Recently (over the last few weeks, maybe a month), my J bass started cutting out on me. Not the amp or the cable - I tried different ones of both. I opened up the control plate and I don't see any loose solder joints. The only thing that fixes it is tugging on the cable, which suggests to me that the plug of the 1/4" cable isn't quite touching the contacts on the jack.
Not really the purest of tones, to me...
I don't see how anyone would expect a tonal difference with these jacks - just a much more secure connection compared to the original two-point design. Adding contact points only makes sense and I appluad the move to a better design. Eventually, my 1980's tube amp may need one to maitain worn contacts.
Not absolutely necessary with quality switchgear in place and in home and amateur use, but eventually in a professional environment becoming an advantage for heavy users.
Not absolutely necessary with quality switchgear in place and in home and amateur use, but eventually in a professional environment becoming an advantage for heavy users.
so, how much was the time until problems appeared?
it's an open frame jack, right? you can bend the jack contact plates inwards and enjoy it for some more time.
Roughly 2 and a half years. And yes, open frame. I tried bending the contacts inward but...didn't work. Might have done it wrong...I should probably give it another shot.
...except there was a loose solder joint on one of the tone pot's lugs. Certainly not an indictment of the jack. Guess I owe the good folks at Pure Tone an apology...
My brand new Fender American Performer J has been cutting in and out recently. I tried different cables and amps and it still kept happening. So I checked inside and everything looks normal. I don’t know what jacks they use on Fender USA (assume switchcraft) but I would hope its the best of the best.
Decided a new jack would be a cheap an easy test so I went on Amazon and saw this Pure Tone and decided to try it instead of Switchcraft based on the reviews. So far so good, no more issues. The Pure Tone does grip tighter. Since my jazz has the typical metal control plate I’m not too worried about it. I think on a P bass with a plastic pickguard the amount of pulling force to remove the 1/4” on this New Tone could wear out the guard after a while. But maybe not.
Anyway I’m satisfied.
Decided a new jack would be a cheap an easy test so I went on Amazon and saw this Pure Tone and decided to try it instead of Switchcraft based on the reviews. So far so good, no more issues. The Pure Tone does grip tighter. Since my jazz has the typical metal control plate I’m not too worried about it. I think on a P bass with a plastic pickguard the amount of pulling force to remove the 1/4” on this New Tone could wear out the guard after a while. But maybe not.
Anyway I’m satisfied.
