Most of my basses are plugged in on the side of the bass. I do have a few which are plugged in front the top (front) of the bass. I honestly don't know which style I prefer. Which do you prefer?
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Top Jack vs side jack
- Thread starter iwearpumas
- Start date
Top or nothing. Seriously, I just can't have a bass with a side-jack. Don't know what is wrong with me, must be some kind of mild OCD 
Top. Side makes playing seated difficult / uncomfortable and I prefer to be able to see if my lead is fully inserted at all times.
Depending on placement, some side jacks make putting the instrument down in a stand or resting against a wall / amp totally impossible.
Depending on placement, some side jacks make putting the instrument down in a stand or resting against a wall / amp totally impossible.
I always use an angled plug for the instrument side. That makes it a non issue, and lets the cable go directly up to loop around the strap button.
And not to be that guy, but that's an output, not an input (at least signal-wise)
And not to be that guy, but that's an output, not an input (at least signal-wise)
Hi iwearpumas
I don't care.
On the other hand…
greetings (and stay safe!)
Wise(b)ass
I don't care.
On the other hand…
greetings (and stay safe!
)Wise(b)ass
I like side jacks because the view of the bass doesn't have anything in they way. But I like the front jacks because they're easier to handle when using an angled cable.
I like top/front mount simply because it's much easier to do the cord under strap thing.
I voted for the side output jack as my preference, but I'm not as stuck on that as I am about using cables with right-angle 1/4" connectors. That's a must. I keep a dozen or so in my parts drawer. I usually make my own cables anyway.
I only use basses with jacks mounted on the tort pickguard. Anywhere else always causes the cable to get caught on the pocket flaps of my cargo shorts and when I move the bass falls out of my hands and hits me on the big toe. They should make steel toed sandals but they don't. Ouch!
I have basses with both and I got tired of occasionally stepping on them when playing a bass with side output jacks. To fix that I try to always use angled plugs and and route them through little straps I made that attach to the strap hook.
Not picky at all on this one.
As long as I'm able to plug in and send signal, I'm happy. Angled cable heads make this a non-issue for me. Just slide it between the guitar strap and my body and all is well
As long as I'm able to plug in and send signal, I'm happy. Angled cable heads make this a non-issue for me. Just slide it between the guitar strap and my body and all is well
I have basses with both, and I really have no preference, though I will say that I always thought that the angled strat-style plate seemed like a good design - but maybe with the added improvement of it being angled toward the strap pin for those (most?) that like to tuck the cable through the strap.
Just yesterday I rewired my PJ to have a front jack. Only because sitting on the couch practicing the bottom jack with a regular cord is annoying. I guess sometimes it is about the little things. But I did leave the bottom jack wired so I can swing either way. I have the same setup on both my Jazz Deluxes I rewired to passive.
I'm a big fan of Body side mounter output jacks. I own both but don't like the jack coming out at 90 degrees to the face of the body. It's ugly and if you step on the cord while performing on stage gymnastics, you could damage the bass. The best solution I've seen are those that plug into the back of the body at a downward angle.
No preference, but right-angle plugs are a MUST. But if I ruled the world, strat jacks would be industry standard.
I have one of each. I use a plug on wireless and it is awkward with the side jack, especially when sitting down, but I wouldn't let it interfere with the purchase of a bass either way. I rarely play while sitting
I never thought about that but it's a great idea. I may have to try it with my next build. I prefer the jack on top, much easier to put on the stand.
