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Ibanez Barrel Jack Fix

Parannoyed

Parannoyed

Commercial User
Apr 7, 2019
8
3
Pennsylvania
Disclosures
Independent Producer
#1
Hey guys,

First off I used to be on here occasionally but cannot figure out what info I used so I made a new account specifically to get some opinions and feedback from you all.

I have one of the Ibanez basses that used the crappy barrel jack. I have noticed quite a few places on the internet where people have had issues with these. I think I have a solution for all of us.

#1 I am looking for is a rough count of how many people would be interested in a fix?

#2 Are you comfortable putting a couple screw holes in your bass to do this?

#3 Would you want a solution to install any output jack you want or have it preloaded and only need soldered in?

#4 What would you consider a reasonable cost for this part?

I'm asking these questions to figure out if I'm going to make this for just me or if it's worth having a run of parts made and plated. I'm trying to design something that will fit the style of the bass but fix the poor design by Ibanez. I have a design in mind now and I'm ready to move ahead to have a prototype made.

Any input from you guys would be appreciated. I'm just trying to help out other bass players who have issues with this Ibanez design.
 
Last edited:
#3
The fix probably won't work with more than half the Ibanez on the market today:

sr300slb_tlsweepereq-tiltoutjack-jpg.2164805
 
#4
Yeah... I have two Ibiies SR1200 and GSR200L. The one on the GSR came loose after a few years and had to be retightened, and the one on the SR is a bit hard to get in/out and the "click" is unsatisfying but other than that they are not exceptionally good or bad.

What's the issue?
 
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#5
Personally I keep getting connection issues. Last new jack lasted 3 months of very easy use. I am careful with it and it was a switchcraft.

I've come across quite a few other forums where people have had the same issues, and some seem to have no issues.

Of all the guitars and basses I've owned I've never had a jack issue ever. I just feel it's a bad design and can be improved fairly easy.
 
#9
hotbass57 said:
I had an SR650 that the jack failed. My guitar guy said it's a poor design and he replaces them on Ibby and Warwicks all the time.
Click to expand...

Of my 5 basses, 4 have barrel jacks. The component on my Hanewinckel lost tolerance over time so I installed a new Switchcraft. @walterw pointed out to me months ago that barrel jacks should be viewed and treated as consumables.

Riis
 
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#10
IMG_0668.jpg
The switchcraft that this one replaced lasted ~80 shows, ~150 jams, and ~300 rehearsals, all regrettably boozy. This replacement got double that before I stopped playing this guitar due the bridge being placed too close for wearing anything other than 0.009's. A buddy's Samick had to have it swapped twice in <100 shows. I've got a Strat with double the mileage of that black weirdo guitar and it has its original socket. Definitely a poor/consumable design.

I'm curious about your solution 90% for curiousity's sake, 10% because I intend on getting a Warwick again, but unless it costs less than $20 I probably am not a customer.
 
#11
yep, barrel jacks make for a quick, clean, easy install but they wear out and have to be replaced after a few years of moderate gigging, far sooner than switchcraft panel jacks (which can last half a century as a bunch of great old vintage guitars can prove).
 
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#12
I wouldn't even bother if they lasted that long for me. I got about 3 months this last one, maybe a bit more before that and with super light use and always routing behind my strap for stress relief.

Mattzilla, I am only designing this to fit the Ibanez bass and the odd angle at which they recess mounted the barrel jack. Basically all I'm looking at is a 2 screw mounting plate to contour the shape of the bass and allow for a standard switchcraft jack. Running wires up through hole where barrel jack would occupy to new jack.
 
#15
Parannoyed said:
Hey guys,

First off I used to be on here occasionally but cannot figure out what info I used so I made a new account specifically to get some opinions and feedback from you all.

I have one of the Ibanez basses that used the crappy barrel jack. I have noticed quite a few places on the internet where people have had issues with these. I think I have a solution for all of us.

#1 I am looking for is a rough count of how many people would be interested in a fix?

#2 Are you comfortable putting a couple screw holes in your bass to do this?

#3 Would you want a solution to install any output jack you want or have it preloaded and only need soldered in?

#4 What would you consider a reasonable cost for this part?

I'm asking these questions to figure out if I'm going to make this for just me or if it's worth having a run of parts made and plated. I'm trying to design something that will fit the style of the bass but fix the poor design by Ibanez. I have a design in mind now and I'm ready to move ahead to have a prototype made.

Any input from you guys would be appreciated. I'm just trying to help out other bass players who have issues with this Ibanez design.
Click to expand...
I hate that recessed jack. Just god awful
 
#18
Ahh. Well, I've seen those Strat socket plates both with a black paint and a black chrome plating, either might match up with an Ibanez's look. There are also these that ~miiight work with some body maiming: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'd forgotten about those stupid S/SR socket tunnels. I wonder if you're setting the cable tight/taut through the strap or leaving a good bit to flop about? I think some flop would be a good thing Ibanez's weird tunnel is not a good solution to whatever problem they were attacking.

If you've got a good design in mind that can actually look like a stock design from an alternate reality and it's an easy install, there are probably twenty times as many S guitar owners as SR bass owners who would happily cough up $40-50 for both parts and labor for it. You might be having a good reason to set up an etsy site.
 
#19
Hey man thanks, I've been all over looking for an easy solution that wouldn't require hacking up my bass or looking like a chrome robot cod piece. Nothing I've seen really jumped out as a great solution or looking remotely stockish.

I'm gonna work it out and see what we can do. I'll get some measurements and get over to the machine shop and see what we can come up with. Have a plating company near here who will do small batch stuff if we actually get something decent to play with.

As far as the cable goes, I always left a fist size loop before going behind strap. I seriously was super easy on it. There was no reason it should have failed....again.

Are the S guitars input jack tunnels same shape, size and pitch as the SR bass?
 

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