Best way to fix a noisy jack?

[Drop1]

I'm 99% sure my jack is just dirty or suffering corrosion.

A quick lick (yeah I know) of the plug tip solves the random burst of static/crackle for a couple hours.

Should I replace the jack or just clean it? If clean it, with what?

 

[C Stone]

Could be a loose nut, loose or oblong output sleeve or the contact point (tip arm). If it’s dirty I just use canned air and Q-Tip and clean it, if it still crackles
might have to get in there to bend the tip arm a bit to make it bite better. If output is loose or oblong you’ll need to replace it. It seems to happen with PJ’s because of the jacks placement. G/luck.

Edit: forgot to mention the cleaner I use Deoxit but a very small amount sprayed on the tip of a jack, insert it and spin it.

 

[Geri O]

I'm 99% sure my jack is just dirty or suffering corrosion.

A quick lick (yeah I know) of the plug tip solves the random burst of static/crackle for a couple hours.

Should I replace the jack or just clean it? If clean it, with what?

I advocate for replacing a jack in that condition. It’s easy for me to recommend that because a jack replacement like that quite easy for me. I know that’s not the case with everyone.

But the reason is that treatment with a cleaner, even the hallowed DeOxit will most likely be a temporary fix.

If you decide to try cleaning it, do so by removing the jack from the bass and clean it by spraying the cleaner (Deoxit, hopefully) on a Qtip and clean the dirty or corroded area.

Let me reiterate the idea of replacement while I’m at it….

 

[Drop1]

I advocate for replacing a jack in that condition. It’s easy for me to recommend that because a jack replacement like that quite easy for me. I know that’s not the case with everyone.

But the reason is that treatment with a cleaner, even the hallowed DeOxit will most likely be a temporary fix.

If you decide to try cleaning it, do so by removing the jack from the bass and clean it by spraying the cleaner (Deoxit, hopefully) on a Qtip and clean the dirty or corroded area.

Let me reiterate the idea of replacement while I’m at it….

It's kind if a pain to replace the way it's in the bass. I have a recessed port and my control cavity it stuffed with a easy uni pre which means modules have to be removed to get the jack out.

Still, the jack is nearly 6 years old and I connect/disconnect like 50 times a day. I think I'll replace it.
It did sit for 3 years and I live in Louisiana. Corrosion is common here. I used to have to pop open the window switches on my truck regularly to clean them to keep the windows operating. Eventually though it gets to the point where you're celling them constantly and I don't want to deal with that so a new jack does make the most sense.

Is there a jack brand that's better than others? Right now I have the original ibanez jack and something tells me it may not be the best option.

 

[Aloe]

Is there a jack brand that's better than others? Right now I have the original ibanez jack and something tells me it may not be the best option.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-barrel-type-stereo-jack-mec-vs-switchcraft-vs-göldo.1637459/

 

[Geri O]

It's kind if a pain to replace the way it's in the bass. I have a recessed port and my control cavity it stuffed with a easy uni pre which means modules have to be removed to get the jack out.

Still, the jack is nearly 6 years old and I connect/disconnect like 50 times a day. I think I'll replace it.
It did sit for 3 years and I live in Louisiana. Corrosion is common here. I used to have to pop open the window switches on my truck regularly to clean them to keep the windows operating. Eventually though it gets to the point where you're celling them constantly and I don't want to deal with that so a new jack does make the most sense.

Is there a jack brand that's better than others? Right now I have the original ibanez jack and something tells me it may not be the best option.

I’ve always had the best luck with the Switchcraft jacks, but I’ve no experience with the barrel jacks.

Considering Switchcraft’s reputation for quality connectors of all types, I would go with the Switchcrafts.

 

[mongo2]

Replace.

 

[Killing Floor]

Eww don’t lick it.