Crackling Noise Whenever Cable Moves in Input Jack

[light blue bass]

I have a 93' Peavey Foundation, and recently whenever I try playing theres a crackling with the slightest movement of the cable in the jack. Its so consistent and annoying I haven't been playing it.

Is there some kind of weak connection, or some electronic is dirty?

Slightly puzzled so if anyone has experienced this, or knows please chime in!

 

[Bent77]

First thing I would do is a tad of deoxit on a q tip and clean the input. Or pull it out of the bass and clean it

some cables will do this, either loose or bad connectors. Check and tighten those. I tossed a cable not too long ago for this reason

 

[Geri O]

On a bass that old (and I loved those Foundations), it would be a good investment to have that output jack replaced.

There’s likely a lot of wear on the contact surface and the tab that holds the tip and keeps the cable plug secure has probably list its tension from age and use.

The replacement is very simple and shouldn’t be terribly expensive. And that bass is certainly worth the cost of that work.

 

[light blue bass]

First thing I would do is a tad of deoxit on a q tip and clean the input. Or pull it out of the bass and clean it

some cables will do this, either loose or bad connectors. Check and tighten those. I tossed a cable not too long ago for this reason

This worked! I dont hear anything now. Q-TIP came up pretty dirty

 

[Minimalist]

This worked! I dont hear anything now. Q-TIP came up pretty dirty

It's still a good idea to have the jack checked and potentially replaced as @Geri O suggested.

 

[Killing Floor]

Since it’s resolved I’d recommend a new dual chorus or a custom strap.

 

[songwriter21]

This worked! I dont hear anything now. Q-TIP came up pretty dirty

Advice: also don't use Mogami or Monster cables...junk.

 

[Topkat13]

Recommend using protection.

 

[micguy]

Since it’s resolved I’d recommend a new dual chorus or a custom strap.

With the money you saved on not having a tech look at your bass, I think you can justify a new SVT head and Fridge cab as a small celebration. Tell your wife, and let us know how that goes.

 

[nickpc]

This worked! I dont hear anything now. Q-TIP came up pretty dirty

Do it 3-4 more times until the q-tip comes out clean.

 

[deepestend]

Jack needs to be resoldered. Either the solder has cracked or one of the wires is just hanging on. Not a huge job. Maybe a good opportunity to learn to solder!

 

[wvbass]

Advice: also don't use Mogami or Monster cables...junk.

Interesting. I know of a common complaint regarding Monster, but what is wrong with Mogami?

 

[songwriter21]

Interesting. I know of a common complaint regarding Monster, but what is wrong with Mogami?

They failed not long after gig use. Went through a number of them and gave up. Switched to Whirlwind and Pro-Co...nary a problem.

 

[wvbass]

They failed not long after gig use. Went through a number of them and gave up. Switched to Whirlwind and Pro-Co...nary a problem.

Thanks. I’ve got a few new-ish cables that use Mogami cable but Neutrik ends…I’ll see how they fare.

 

[Eric Ryan]

+1 on the Mogami's...both silver & gold. I couldn't get more than 2 months out of them, & I went thru about 6 of them.

Weirdly, I replaced them with my old standby's, Monster. I'm going on 6-7 years with all 3 of them.

 

[dougjwray]

With the money you saved on not having a tech look at your bass, I think you can justify a new SVT head and Fridge cab as a small celebration. Tell your wife, and let us know how that goes.

Or, decide that cleaning the jack was too stressful, and quit playing bass.

 

[eadg98005]

You should give Rattlesnake Cable Company a look for the best quality cables currently available at an affordable price.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

Tell you wife that the bass is broken and you need a new bass!

 

[AudioTaper]

+1 on the Mogami's...both silver & gold. I couldn't get more than 2 months out of them, & I went thru about 6 of them.

Weirdly, I replaced them with my old standby's, Monster. I'm going on 6-7 years with all 3 of them.

I have quite a few Monster Bass 500 cables. Love them, but they will destroy barrel jacks. There's a pretty good chance the plug will fall apart anyway. Replace the plugs with Neutrik or another quality brand

 

[shodan]

Jack needs to be resoldered. Either the solder has cracked or one of the wires is just hanging on. Not a huge job. Maybe a good opportunity to learn to solder!

Having replaced a number of jacks, I'd be surprised if this is the case. As ridiculous as it sounds, the jack will wear enough that the barrel contact will become intermittent. $9 jack and a $20 labor fix. Or as suggested, solder one yourself. This would be the easiest soldering in the cavity.