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Switching jack

T

turf3

Sep 26, 2011
6,855
16,334
#1
So I got this active bass, and the output jack is past its sell-by date (cuts in and out as I wiggle the plug).

What I need is a jack where inserting the plug makes one tap connect to the shell. This has got to be real basic information for those familiar, but I don't know:

a) the exact terminology
b) where to buy (I mean, I can go to Digi-key and try to pick from 100+ 1/4" jacks...)

The shell is long and threaded, as the jack is mounted on the edge of the body rather than its face, so it has to go through ~3/4" of thickness.
 
#2
Stereo 1/4in barrel jack socket

pure-tone-mono-stereo-1-4-barrel-jack-p17080-30029_thumb.jpg
 
#3
johnh89 said:
Stereo 1/4in barrel jack socket

View attachment 4706976
Click to expand...

Most active basses use a standard stereo jack, and inserting a mono cable connects the ring to ground, which completes the battery circuit and turns on the electronics.

But there are apparently a few active basses/preamps that truly need a special jack, with an extra set of contacts that are switched on/off when a cable is inserted. If this is you, then I don’t know that they make switching jacks in the long enclosed style. Can you tell us what you have, and we can maybe advise whether a normal stereo jack will work?
 
#5
ctmullins said:
Most active basses use a standard stereo jack, and inserting a mono cable connects the ring to ground, which completes the battery circuit and turns on the electronics.

But there are apparently a few active basses/preamps that truly need a special jack, with an extra set of contacts that are switched on/off when a cable is inserted. If this is you, then I don’t know that they make switching jacks in the long enclosed style. Can you tell us what you have, and we can maybe advise whether a normal stereo jack will work?
Click to expand...

This SOUNDS like what I've probably got, with the negative battery terminal connected to the "ring" - thus the mono instrument cable WOULD, I think, connect that middle connector to ground and complete the circuit.

Physically it's a long barrel shape as the one above. I think I'll see if I can get hold of the stereo jack and ohm it out and see if it behaves the same as the one that's in there. That's a real plausible explanation and would also fit with using one thing for another purpose.

It's a cheap Ibanez SR400 bass, so I can't imagine there's anything the least exotic about it.
 
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#7
I ordered a Switchcraft 152B yesterday. Looks identical to what's in there. Hoping for good results. The one that's in there cuts out if I push the cord plug one way or the other.

The bass cost me all of $200, already with a set of flatwound strings in apparently decent condition, but it's been rode hard and put away wet. Three different mismatched kinds of (non original)_ knobs, for one thing. Plays quite nicely, though, and it doesn't even look like it needs action or intonation adjustment. As mainly a double-bassist, I'm not going to be real sensitive about the action anyway.
 
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#8
Got the jack, soldered it in (leaving some decent wire lengths this time - pet peeve is people who basically try to stretch every wire as tight as they can) - works fine. Thanks for the consulting. Although I've done a fair amount of lightweight electrical/electronics work, none of it's been on electric instruments.
 
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#13
I bought a closeout from Sweetwater (SR805). It not only had an intermittent barrel jack, but it was also miswired (battery lead straight to ground, from the factory).

55 point inspection indeed. :cool:

I repaired both issues, with Sweetwater sending me two different barrel jacks and giving me a nice discount for my troubles.

Knowledge is power.
 
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