Noob Starting To Get Annoyed.

[HarlequinsRugby]

As the title states, I am getting a little annoyed and frustrated with my Squier Affinity J Bass. The problem is is the input jack keeps on coming loose and everytime I go to plug in and play, its loose, and it the bass makes really iritating sounds through the amp. I tried tightening it with flat wrenchs and everything, not to sure about super gluing it to the jack plate , what can I do ? I know Squier Affinity Basses are pretty low quality, Ive had problems with my tuners as well. Ive only been playing bass for 5 months and this has brought me to a halt over the past few days because its just too much of hassle everytime to unscrew the jack plate and tighten it. How can I resolve this input jack issue ?What is a permanent fix to this ?

 

[msb]

Tighten it tighter

 

[Randall]

green or blue locktight for small fasteners.

 

[dukeorock]

An old military trick is to put fingernail polish on the threads...after you tighten the nut, put some on top of that as well...can lock it into place

 

[funk generator]

ok i know its not really helping at all but i have to ask. WHy would military guys have fingernail polish readily available?

 

[ghostdog93]

1) Take off the strings and unscrew the pickguard.

2) Make sure the jam nut that holds the jack in place from the back side is where you want it. Apply blue Loctite (242) to the jam nut threads.

3) Put a drop of blue Loctite on the jack threads on the front side of the pickguard, and tighten the nut. You can use a wrench, but don't overtighten, as it is possible to warp the pickguard.

4) Reinstall the pickguard and strings.

5) Enjoy.

 

[Righteous Thunderer]

ok i know its not really helping at all but i have to ask. WHy would military guys have fingernail polish readily available?

The ladies always forget it at our houses the next morning

 

[ghostdog93]

ok i know its not really helping at all but i have to ask. WHy would military guys have fingernail polish readily available?

Don't ask, don't tell.

 

[okcrum]

Put a lockwasher on the jack, behind the mounting plate. Then tighten it down; it'll stay tight.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Threadlock will work. Fingernail polish will work. A lock-washer will work.

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

It's a squier. Glue it and forget it. Get some metal adhesive from the hardware store and lather it up. Wait till it's dry to plug in and play though

 

[mambo4]

Before resorting to glue and locktite, I'd follow ghostdog 93's suggestion.

The input Jack plug is anchored by a combination of the nut on the front of the pick guard and washers and stuff underneath the pick guard. If you just tighten the front one, it may not be sufficient.

 

[J Hud]

Don't ask, don't tell.

Awesome.

 

[Tracebassplayer]

ok i know its not really helping at all but i have to ask. WHy would military guys have fingernail polish readily available?

Cause we use it on our weapons - it's cheap, it works like locktite, and easy to get from suun li!
You ever try to get stuff from supply?

You youngins have a lot to learn about being resourceful!

 

[rojo412]

It's a J bass...

Unscrew the 3 control plate screws.
Lift it out of the body.
Hold the jack (the part inside of the bass) and tighten the lock nut snugly (pliers, channel locks, whatever).
Re-install plate.

Make sure that there's a washer under the lock nut. Also, it does help to have a lock washer (with the teeth) between the jack and the plate.

 

[Pilgrim]

This is not a quality issue - it happens with basses of all types.

Snug the nut on the jack well, then use clear fingernail polish over the outer threads - you can apply it with a fine brush or the tip of a toothpick. It has worked for me on Gibsons and other makes.

I also like blue Loctite, but the clear nail polish is a bit easier to work with and keep everything clean-looking.

 

[ghostdog93]

It's a J bass...

Yes, my bad. I got P-bass on the brain.

No string or pickguard removal needed. Undo the screws, pull up the control plate and Loctite, lockwasher, or fingernail polish your way to a snug jack.

 

[madmatt]

ok i know its not really helping at all but i have to ask. WHy would military guys have fingernail polish readily available?

Don't ask...

 

[WardEarth]

If the input jack is shot, get a new one. Solder it in yourself if you can, or get someone who knows what they're doing. Some input jacks are better than others, couldn't tell you which ones to get.

 

[nocontrols]

I know the "do everything yourself" contigent will laugh at me for saying this but there's nothing necessarily wrong with developing a solid reputation with a GOOD tech. They can be invaluable, from simple fixes to super complicated ordeals. You could begin there... by asking for help live an in-person, although there have definitely been some good suggestions so far.