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Plug broken inside socket - how to extract??

B

BritPicker

Apr 20, 2009
491
9
#1
Was rehearsing the other day, new keyboard player comes in, with a friend in tow.

Friend is "Mr Clumsy", he stands on cable to amp, breaking off the jack plug inside the socket.

The tip of the plug is now inside the socket. I can't get it out.

Has anyone ever managed to get one of these tips out before and how did you do it?

Otherwise I guess I'm just going to have to take it apart!!!

Another reason to make rehearsals/stage areas BAND ONLY!!

Thanks in advance folks.
 
#4
David1234 said:
Long nose (needle nose) pliers?
Click to expand...

Tried that, can get them in but there's not enough room to open the jaws and grab that sucker!

Seems it's a bit wedged in an awkward spot. So the sticky solution, can't get it to stick hard enough... grrr!!

Will probably have to take it apart, or maybe use a coathanger wire or something to fish it out.
 
#7
Hi.

Having tried almost any imaginable way to remove tips of cheap phone plugs from jacks over a few decades next to nothing works.

The only way I've found is to screw something to the hole in the tip. Assuming of course that the tip is still right way around, and there's a hole in the tip.

CA glue may work, but there's a very good chance (90% IME) that some of it finds its way to the contact(s) rendering the jack useless.

Take the amp apart and remove the tip or replace the jack.

In the very, very rare case that the jack end is open and the tip hasn't fallen through, resist the temptation to push the tip into the amp. A short circuit will require even more repairs than cbhanging a simple jack.

Regards
Sam
 
#14
DWBass said:
Ok, I'm confused! Is it an AC wall unit plug we're talking about or is it a 1/4 inch phone plug inside an amp? Can you please clarify?
Click to expand...

That would be helpful to know. ;)

If it is a AC plug, then fix it. Who knows if it gets broken during the frankenstien-ish means of removing it. You don't really want to mess with AC plugs.

If it is a phone plug, then you might want to try opening the amp/speaker up. That is THE best way. All this "drill a screw into it/bubblegum" plans could work, but do you really want to do even more damage? Crack a PCB by drilling too hard into the jack, and then you will have one headache after another. :cool:

It's better safe than sorry.
 
#16
DWBass said:
Ok, I'm confused! Is it an AC wall unit plug we're talking about or is it a 1/4 inch phone plug inside an amp? Can you please clarify?
Click to expand...

Answer already posted...

Nighttrain1127 said:
...the problem is with the input jack that takes the signal from the Bass to the amp not the power from the wall to the amp
Click to expand...

It's the 1/4" input jack on the amp.

I would open the amp case. If it's a Switchcraft-type jack, it should be easy to remove the broken piece. If it's not, you may have to seek out professional help.
 
#17
I don't no what kinda amp you got but you are going to take it apart to get it out more than likely the jack is soldered to a pc board so just take a small screwdriver and slowly work it out from the inside you can do it just be careful.
 
#18
Thanks guys for all your input (no pun intended on this). ;)

Well I had a bit of a fiddle, without getting too violent with it, good advice I think about not getting glue in there, or pushing it further in. :scowl:

To confirm: it was the 1/4 inch phone (jack-plug) signal input that broke off, not the power input.

So.. I ended up sliding the amp head out of it's wooden shell so that I could get a better look.

Sure enough I could see the tip trapped in there. The sockets soldered end-on to a shared PCB. Unfortunately with insufficient gap to pull the offending object out through the back.

Tried bent wire etc to push tip out the way it came, couldn't do it. :mad:

Ended up having to unsolder the socket from the PCB. Quite a job as it was soldered in 6 places. Gradually did it by melting and gently wiggling and pulling it away. I was worried about lifting the tracks from the PCB, so I took it nice and slow, not letting it get too hot. In the end just loosening it let the tip (and insulating ring!) drop out.

No damage done, all OK now, thankfully! I have a show tomorrow! :D

The lessons here for me is:

Don't think that all jack-plugs are the same. These were cheap ones that I used to make up my own leads. The same sockets disintegrated after a slight knock a few weeks ago. :eyebrow:

Don't let non-band people near your gear! :ninja:

Wrap the lead around something to take the strain if someone does yank it, much like the lead-thru strap idea. :p


A happy ending! :hyper::bassist:
 

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