Installing a barrel jack.

[Ronbeast]

How would I go about installing a barrel jack on a bass that I am planning on building?I think I am making it more complicated in my head than it is but maybe I'm not.Anyways could someone point me towards a tutorial or maybe give me some guidance?thanks.

-Ron

 

[Bofee]

There are several different types of "barrel" jacks. Some mount from the inside, some from the outside, some cut their own threads. Do you have a particular style in mind?

 

[Ronbeast]

I was thinking about something like this:
Invalid Link Removed

-Ron

 

[scottyd]

That's the type I use, they mount on the side. Mark where you want it, drill a small pilot hole on that mark, follow that pilot hole with a 1/2" bit, pop the jack in and tighten up the nut. The only things you really need to watch out for is that the wood is thick enough where you put it and you should pick a spot where it will not be in the way of any other electronics, pots ect. You might also want to chisel a flat spot in the cavity for the nut to seat against. The wiring is usually ground on the long or outside prong, the middle prong(s) is the stereo, which also works as a switch for preamp or active pickups whenever a plug is in, and the short prong is the positive. Hope that helps!

 

[Ronbeast]

thanks for the help,very descriptive and now I know what I'm at!

 

[Luke Sheridan]

Rounded cavity will pose a problem for tightening it down. Listen to Scotty.

 

[Jazzdogg]

If you want your hole to have clean edges without tear-out, you might want to use a brad-point or Forstner bit; twist drills aren't known for making clean cuts in wood.

Brad-point:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42352&cat=1,180,42240

Forstner:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42244&cat=1,180,42240