Need help / audio output jack

[The311character]

Hi all,

One of my basses (Squire dimension jazz) started having the crackling sound and then intermittent on/off when plugged in. From what I read it could be a worn out or rusted output jack. For my own education and experience, I want to try to repair it myself (if possible). I checked the battery and it was still good. I opened up the pick guard to take a look and it appears all three wires are attached. I tried to remove the Jack but can’t figure out how to get it out safely and correctly (see pics). I removed the tightening nut that was holding it on the inside. Do I need a special tool to unscrew the part of the Jack on the outside of the body? How to I get this thing out?

Thank you!

 

[Matt Liebenau]

That’s commonly called a barrel jack and the wires must be desoldered for the jack to be removed. I have a wrench that I ground down the box end and cut a small slot in it to go over the wires just for these jacks.

I’d try a known new, good battery first but there’s a decent chance it’s the output jack. If you replace it I’d recommend a Switchcraft. They seem to last longer (sometimes much longer) before failing then the cheap ones.

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[Jeff Scott]

In general, barrel jacks are not repairable due to the nature of their construction. The bass is cheap (inexpensive) enough that I would do the necessary work required to install a Switchcraft open frame jack in place of the barrel jack. One excellent way to do so is to use an Electrosocket along with the Switchcraft open frame jack. I did so on one of the Zon basses I had years ago after the second time replacing a barrel jack for another barrel jack (both were Switchcraft). Never had a problem since.

 

[The311character]

Thanks for the replies and advice.

I took another look and was going to check the battery when I noticed this little blue wire wasn’t connected to anything. Looks like it is usually soldered to the little chip underneath the knobs. I can’t remember for the life of me if that was disconnected when I opened the first time or if it happened while I was dorking around in there. Would this blue wire being loose/broken off cause the symptoms?

 

[Jeff Scott]

What is that stuff right underneath the knobs?

 

[The311character]

What is that stuff right underneath the knobs?

some little chip things the wires connect to

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Thanks for the replies and advice.

I took another look and was going to check the battery when I noticed this little blue wire wasn’t connected to anything. Looks like it is usually soldered to the little chip underneath the knobs. I can’t remember for the life of me if that was disconnected when I opened the first time or if it happened while I was dorking around in there. Would this blue wire being loose/broken off cause the symptoms?View attachment 4952083

It could. What’s on the end of the blue wire in the picture and what does the other end of the wire connect to?

 

[The311character]

It looks like the wire used to be soldered to the digital chip looking thing that the other wires are on. I’ll try to get better pics.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I see it now. It does look like there’s an empty pad on the preamp board. If there’s still copper left on the board it should be comparatively easy to solder it back on.

 

[Jeff Scott]

View attachment 4952185
some little chip things the wires connect to

Not that; I asking about what's between the bottom of the knobs and the pickguard.

As Matt says, it looks like the solder pad of that circuitboard came off with the wire. That may take some skill and potentially some "hacking" to repair, but should be possible for an experienced person to do.

 

[The311character]

Could the disconnected blue wire cause the crackling and intermittent sound? What’s the blue wire do?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Could the disconnected blue wire cause the crackling and intermittent sound? What’s the blue wire do?

What does the other end of the blue wire connect to?

 

[The311character]

What does the other end of the blue wire connect to?

Can’t tell, it runs into the body. The battery is on a black and red wire.

 

[LoveThatBass]

I would try spraying it with Deoxit5 and inserting and removing guitar cable plug several times. If that doesn't work then your only option is to replace it.

 

[JC BASS 91]

Not that; I asking about what's between the bottom of the knobs and the pickguard.

I would venture to guess that this is the remnant of the protective plastic that is usually found on the pickguards and control plates of all new basses and guitars.

 

[96tbird]

Yes that blue wire can cause it to not work! You’ll have to get that sorted out and attached where it is supposed to be.

OP also asked how to remove the Jack when the nut is backed off. Push on it. Wiggle it. It’s just jammed in there now.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I wouldn’t replace the jack until you sort out the wiring. I’d guess the blue wire goes to that empty solder pad on the preamp board. Maybe someone with the same model would look under he hood and confirm.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I would venture to guess that this is the remnant of the protective plastic that is usually found on the pickguards and control plates of all new basses and guitars.

Yeah, I figured that is what it is. Removing the knobs to remove those remnants is child's play, and here he is asking about repair/replacement of the output jack.

 

[The311character]

Yeah, I figured that is what it is. Removing the knobs to remove those remnants is child's play, and here he is asking about repair/replacement of the output jack.

Hahaha, yeah. I bought the bass years ago from a guy that seemed legit and didn’t really think about it because it was my first bass. After I get it functioning again maybe I’ll remove the plastic scraps

 

[The311character]

Yes that blue wire can cause it to not work! You’ll have to get that sorted out and attached where it is supposed to be.

OP also asked how to remove the Jack when the nut is backed off. Push on it. Wiggle it. It’s just jammed in there now.

Thank you! Does it just slide out of the body normally?