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First amp breakdown EVER

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by badgrandad, Jun 20, 2008.

  1. Jun 20, 2008 #1
    badgrandad

    badgrandad

    Sep 1, 2004
    Corsicana, Texas
    Well it finally happened, at a gig, after 23 years of playing in bands I had my first equipment failure and, of course, no backup ( because I never have equipment problems!)

    My GK 400 rbiv was disabled when the ball end of my guitar cord jack came off in the input jack preventing me from plugging in another cord.

    I frantically tried to remove the case and see if I could get it out from the inside but it was a sealed jack.

    Any I deas how I can fix it? If I can't I'll just take it to a tech, but I need it week after next for a gig.

    BTW I got through the gig by plugging into the effects return. Plan B would have been going direct into the PA.
     
  2. Jun 20, 2008 #2
    Shane Carter

    Shane Carter

    May 21, 2007
    Detroit
    You might try a small dowell with some expoxy glue on the end. I would use the epoxy sparingly, insert into jack until it contacts the jack tip and let dry overnight, then pull it out the next day.

    Of course you want to make sure you don't glue the tip to your jack. Good luck.
     
  3. Jun 20, 2008 #3
    62bass

    62bass

    Apr 3, 2005
    Get the input jack replaced rather than try to get the tip out. It may also have been damaged otherwise, like breaking a solder connection when the cable was yanked out. It shouldn't be time consuming or expensive.
     
  4. Jun 20, 2008 #4
    Rick Auricchio

    Rick Auricchio Registered Bass Offender

    Nov 27, 2007
    Cambria, CA (Central Coast)
    Have the jack replaced. It could have been damaging the plug anyway. It's faster and easier to replace the jack than to extract the plug part.


    I do like the failure, though. Who could predict this? We carry spare fuses, perhaps an extra power cord, instrument cables, etc. A blocked input jack? Sheesh.

    Kudos for thinking of the effects return! Excellent.
     
  5. Jun 20, 2008 #5
    scottbass

    scottbass Bass lines like a big, funky giant

    Jul 13, 2004
    Southern MN
    + another one on getting the jack replaced. Is it one of those jacks that mounts to a circuit board, or is it just screwed into the face from behind with wires connecting it to the circuitry? If the latter, the fix is REAL cheap and easy. If the former, it's best to find someone who knows how to desolder/resolder a circuit board without lifting traces. If you can't find a music store/amp service center, try an electronics/computer repair business - same technology.
     
  6. Jun 23, 2008 #6
    badgrandad

    badgrandad

    Sep 1, 2004
    Corsicana, Texas
    Sorry to be so late in responding but I went out of town Friday.

    ACtually the Jack is the screw on type with wires to it. The 1/4 inch plug tip came off when I was unplugging the cord at the end of my last gig, and I noticed the end of the plug gone, I had assumed it came off in my guitar which did not have a sealed jack, and has been successfully been used at rehearsals since then.

    Over the weekend I took a paper clip bent the tip of it back and squeezed it with pliers to make a barb out of it and was able to insert it into the center of the tip and ease it out, problem fixed!

    I can't take too much credit for thinking of using the effects return, I learned about doing that ON TALKBASS!:hyper:
     
  7. Jun 23, 2008 #7
    anderbass

    anderbass

    Dec 20, 2005
    Phoenix. Az.
    Alright, good idea badgrandad.