Top mount or side mount jack?

[B String]

I'm having a bass built for me. One of the options is to have the jack on the top or on the bottom side of the bass. There seems to be a big differing of opinions on the subject. Soooo...
What do you guys think? Top mount or side mount jack?

 

[dalkowski]

Top-mounted Strat-style jack.

 

[TolerancEJ]

The best spot I saw for a for a jack was in a YouTube video, where a guy was reviewing a custom shop ESP guitar. A strat-style jack is built into the lower left corner of the body that provides an easy path for your cord to follow. I hadn't seen a jack in that spot before.

 

[Pilgrim]

I like the look of a top-mounted strat-style, but I think the side-mounted jack is more practical. It lets me use a 90 degree cable end looped through the strap.

Worst case is the P-style top mount in a pickguard. It's just asking to break the PG.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Worst case is the P-style top mount in a pickguard. It's just asking to break the PG.

Agreed. Especially if one or more of the screws is missing in the lower area of the pickguard. Lifts up a bit every time you pull the cord out.

 

[Jefenator]

I'm partial to top mount, myself. Like the standard Fender P or J layout, but I also like it on exotic stuff (like Alembic).

IME it's slightly easier to see what you're doing when plugging in. But that's just a personal pref - totally a YMMV thing.

 

[lunarpollen]

I've been thinking about an externally mounted jack myself, some kind of brass or chrome enclosure on a bracket, with art nouveau styling, that would mount on the body of the bass, with an old fashioned cloth-covered cable feeding into the body through some matching plate. Maybe I should make some sketches; it would fit very well with a steampunk aesthetic. Keeping the jack completely external, but still in a solid mounting, would avoid some of the issues associated with jacks mounted inside the body, especially on hollowbody instruments (e.g., jacks falling into the bass).

 

[VroomVroom]

Personal preference...go with what makes the most sense to you. Personally, given a choice, I'll take side-mount. Less opportunity for damage on either end (cable or bass).

 

[B String]

I'm partial to top mount, myself. Like the standard Fender P or J layout, but I also like it on exotic stuff (like Alembic).

IME it's slightly easier to see what you're doing when plugging in. But that's just a personal pref - totally a YMMV thing.

And this is what I'm talking about. Much easier on a dark stage or if you're in a hurry to plug into a top mount jack. I can also lay my bass against the speaker box if needed, and I can use whatever kind of bass stand I want without the side jack getting in the way.

 

[Exploiter8]

Do you ever play sitting down? I find side mounts to be a pain in the a$$, which is why I run a 90 at the instrument's end.

X8

 

[Jefenator]

And this is what I'm talking about. Much easier on a dark stage or if you're in a hurry to plug into a top mount jack. I can also lay my bass against the speaker box if needed, and I can use whatever kind of bass stand I want without the side jack getting in the way.

+1 leaning / stands.

I've come to favor a 90º plug recently. That seems to greatly reduce the leverage the cable has for stressing the jack. And IME it works nicely, top or side. (A bit redundant & therefore awkward with angled/recessed "strat" jacks.)

 

[mikeswals]

I like top mounts like my 2band StingRay or Jazz Bass, and use an angle jack.
I find side mounts to be a royal pain, when I either play sitting down (recording studio), if I have to place the bass in the stand while I run off to the bathroom or something I have to unplug the bass so I don't damage the jack.

 

[darkstorm]

I prefer side so long as its low on the body as in lower rear corner. Top side is ok, wont make me say no to a bass or guitar (my SG guitars top load jack), I still prefer side for cable management.

 

[SC Bassboy]

Side mount. It's an over-all cleaner design.

 

[mas502arc]

Side mount for me too if I had a choice (although I'm okay with top mounts). Looks cleaner and less conspicuous. Looks good with either angled or straight edged jacks. And plus, it doesn't interfere with the chair that I usually sit on to play

 

[mongo2]

Angled top mount ala Ibanez SR500, etc.

 

[Andy_colassal]

I always use right-angle plugs. If you do too I'd get what looks best.

 

[Hutzbordello]

I always use right-angle plugs. If you do too I'd get what looks best.

either way use these, but why use front mount?

they are so goddy and just unwieldy........also they dont make as much sense


also is it not easier to put your cable through the strap with the side mount?

 

[Hoover]

Do you ever play sitting down? I find side mounts to be a pain in the a$$, which is why I run a 90 at the instrument's end.

My favorite orientation (at least on the basses I own or have owned) is a side mounted jack except it's farther around towards the strap button than typical. Makes it easy to find, doesn't stab you in the leg when sitting down, cable threads behind the strap easily, works w/ both straight & angled plugs. Only downside is you can't set your bass down on its end while plugged in.

 

[Chasarms]

Many, many years ago, I had a Yamaha BB with a top mount jack -- No PG. When gigging, I had the cable wrapped through the strap like all good citizens should.

In an effort to entertain, I jump off the drum riser during the performance and proceed to land on my cable. Unfortunately, about a foot closer to the bass than than the length of my leg. When I land, the cable first pops the strap off the bass and proceeds to snap the jack, along with about a 1" diameter chunk of wood, out of the front of my bass. I didn't drop the bass, but I played the rest of the gig with the chunk hanging by the wires that were once inside the control cavity.

Not sure why the cable tip just didn't break, but it didn't. Although, I could at least finish the gig. At 19, I was lucky have one bass and one cable.

After that, I have always been a little afraid of the front mount.