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Plagued with Ibanez Barrel Jack Problems - What Can I do?

F

Flatwoundround

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May 18, 2014
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#1
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I have two Ibanez basses both with serious barrel jack problems. I get this crackly noise when I move and the cable plug moves. I have had the jacks replaced once in one bass and twice in the other. I recently had one jack replaced and the problem was still there and I have tried numerous chords types to plug in.

Now the other bass is doing it too, and ironically it started right after I had precision pickups installed. Same thing with the other bass too, but it was done by a different tech, but same problem.

The tech tells me I am sort of stuck with this and the best he can do is give me chord with a switchcraft plug as he thinks that may solve the problem.

I enjoy these two basses so much as I have lightweight comfy basses with a precision tone, but that noise bugs the you know what out of me.

Any ideas? Is it possible to install a panel jack in place of the barrel jack and would that fix it?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
#3
Haven't had an issue with Ibanez OEM jacls yet. Since there has been a problem with 2 in the same bass, and the issue began in the other one only when something else was messed with, the jacks are probably not the problem. Someone bent the terminals or they're contacting something else. Find a better tech.
 
#8
The last thing you want to do with a barrel jack is to use a heavy cord with a large heavy plug on it and no strain relief. The contacts are sprung by the plug moving around. The cords I use have Switchcraft 228 plugs and are always run through the strap for strain relief. I have barrel jacks on instruments that still work as they should after over 20 years of use....(knock on wood :) )

1_zpsqglj2uga.jpg
 
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#11
David Jayne said:
Which is exactly the thing to do, if you want it to be reliable. Not a big deal.
Click to expand...

This! Or the alternative (which I use on the barrel jacks on my Carvin) is to buy a stock of barrel jacks and replace them as they go bad.
If the 'static' persists once a new jack is installed the problem is probably something else. Try a different cable or look inside bass for touching wires.

Pointers: As already mentioned use an angle plug that puts less twist on the plug from the weight of the wire. Also do NOT use bargain cables! Some of these have undersized diameters that cause trouble in barrel jacks. Cables with gold plated plugs tend to last longer and make better connections. No, in spite of sales hype they do NOT "sound better". Expensive isn't necessary. My gold plated Radio Shack plugs work just fine.

But best is to just pitch the whole barrel jack thing. Get a football plate and install a Switchcraft jack in it. Note that Switchcraft jacks will hold tension in the contacts much better than cheap Chinese ones that lose tension over time and then start to give "static". With standard jacks at least you can bend the contacts (that you can't reach inside a barrel jack) to make better contact, but with the cheap ones once they lose tension even bending won't last too long.

Good luck.
 
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#13
96tbird said:
...
Hi guys, don't these Ibanez have the jacks set into the body at a severe angle. I don't see how a football plate can nicely follow the curve of the body or if there is enough depth there.
Click to expand...

That is the same as the SRF700 I am considering at the moment. As one who habitually hooks my cable through the strap it looks ideal as it appears to have been designed with that in mind. It is pretty clear that life expectancy of plug, socket and cable might be considerably reduced if the cable is left dangling...
 
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#14
I think that if the flange of the barrel jack fits down in that hole, a regular jack nut and washer should fit in there to install a regular jack.

I also think an electrosocket might slide in there; maybe not but if it did it would be a vast improvement.
 
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#15
mech said:
The last thing you want to do with a barrel jack is to use a heavy cord with a large heavy plug on it and no strain relief. The contacts are sprung by the plug moving around. The cords I use have Switchcraft 228 plugs and are always run through the strap for strain relief. I have barrel jacks on instruments that still work as they should after over 20 years of use....
Click to expand...

SteveCS said:
As one who habitually hooks my cable through the strap it looks ideal as it appears to have been designed with that in mind. It is pretty clear that life expectancy of plug, socket and cable might be considerably reduced if the cable is left dangling...
Click to expand...

That's the best solution for jack/plug problems-
run the cable under the strap for strain relief to prevent the problems.
 
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#16
96tbird said:
View attachment 784394 Hey guys, don't these Ibanez have the jacks set into the body at a severe angle? I don't see how a football plate can nicely follow the curve of the body or if there is enough depth there.
Click to expand...
After seeing that picture, I have to wonder, how do your remove that cord when it's time to unplug. Clutching the barrel cover looks dicey to me and I suspect you are pulling on the cord. Correcting that is step one in eliminating your problem. Then put standard ends on your cable.
 
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