Oh that's funny, I didn't even look in detail, I just assumed it was the IDENTICAL poll that was posted back in May.
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What's your preferred jack location?
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
Highway 1 east toward Burnaby?What are you reading into "jack location"?
I prefer it on the front rather than the side. On the front, you can sit with the bass at any angle and the chord (where it plugs in) won't get in the way. You can also put the bass on a regular guitar stand without issue or lean it (sitting on the ground) against an amp. Having said that, on the side looks better, but I prefer function over looks. I don't have any experience with the other options, so I can't comment on them.
I build mine with side mount jacks. I’ve had front mount jacks before, and couldn’t stand the cord getting in the way.
I like the bottom Jack, rotated to about the 7:30-8:00 position.
Till now I have not been familiar with what's on the Yamaha. I think that might be pretty cool too!
Till now I have not been familiar with what's on the Yamaha. I think that might be pretty cool too!
I prefer side, with angled front a close second. Least favorite is standard front.
Front jack. Makes it much easier to pop in a wireless and still be able to set the bass on a stand. Using a hanging stand makes that a moot point, I suppose.
I'm wondering what location people like to have their output jacks. Please explain or share photos of your preferred location and why. Manufacturers and small builders use different locations with different reasonings, but really, what's your favorite and why?
Here are some examples of the items listed in the poll for reference - any others you can think of, or like to see?
Front Jack: Often on a pickguard, or mounted to the front. For this poll, this refers to the jack sticking straight out of the body. Could be 1/4" or locking styles.
View attachment 4058917
Angled Front Jack: Jack mounted on the front of the body, but uses a mounting style to have it pitch the cord at an angle to the body. Examples:
Atlansia:
View attachment 4058922 View attachment 4058923
Ibanez SR: View attachment 4058924
Strat Jack: View attachment 4058925
Side Jack: often seen on guitars, but a classic on many basses as well.
View attachment 4058929 View attachment 4058930 View attachment 4058931
Tail Jack: Dingwall is probably the best example, but I've seen other similar ones. In this case, the jack is at the tail of the bass, often pitched at an angle to let the cord hang over the strap. View attachment 4058935 View attachment 4058936
Rear Jack: These are less commonly seen, but used by more than a few builders when you start looking.
Brian Moore:
View attachment 4058938
Linc Luthier: View attachment 4058939
Yamaha:
View attachment 4058940
Ritter: View attachment 4058941
Beej: ()
View attachment 4058953 View attachment 4058954
Standard Front Jack (like P or J basses) with angled instrument cables. This avoids accidental unplugging.
I'm a weirdo in that I buy right-angle cables and put the angled end in my tuner (straight jack in the instrument). I do this because I'm 1000x more likely to kick a protruding straight-jack than swipe it plugged into the front of the body.Front/ P bass. I like being able to see it when I plug it. I use right angle jacks and tuck behind the strap button so it lies neat and flat against the body. I always push down on the nut with my thumb when I remove, to minimize stress on the PG/ screws. Plus, it’s easier to use a Vox Amplug!
I’ve only ever had side jacks on other basses, and some of those issues are mitigated with a side jack. But I still prefer front jack (and P basses in general)
That’s why I buy right angle cables!
I like any location EXCEPT the SR style recessed... It was a pain to install O-rings and washers to work with my 2.4Ghz home wireless and the right angle cables I use on all my other basses. The wireless works fine on my Strat as delivered. The SR jack sucks for anyone with other brands of instruments.
Dingwall style tail jack easily. Easy to reach, already positioned to loop over the strap. Perfect.
That said it's not a massive deal and wouldn't stop me getting a bass.
That said it's not a massive deal and wouldn't stop me getting a bass.
I'm wondering what location people like to have their output jacks. Please explain or share photos of your preferred location and why. Manufacturers and small builders use different locations with different reasonings, but really, what's your favorite and why?
Here are some examples of the items listed in the poll for reference - any others you can think of, or like to see?
Front Jack: Often on a pickguard, or mounted to the front. For this poll, this refers to the jack sticking straight out of the body. Could be 1/4" or locking styles.
View attachment 4058917
Angled Front Jack: Jack mounted on the front of the body, but uses a mounting style to have it pitch the cord at an angle to the body. Examples:
Atlansia:
View attachment 4058922 View attachment 4058923
Ibanez SR: View attachment 4058924
Strat Jack: View attachment 4058925
Side Jack: often seen on guitars, but a classic on many basses as well.
View attachment 4058929 View attachment 4058930 View attachment 4058931
Tail Jack: Dingwall is probably the best example, but I've seen other similar ones. In this case, the jack is at the tail of the bass, often pitched at an angle to let the cord hang over the strap. View attachment 4058935 View attachment 4058936
Rear Jack: These are less commonly seen, but used by more than a few builders when you start looking.
Brian Moore:
View attachment 4058938
Linc Luthier: View attachment 4058939
Yamaha:
View attachment 4058940
Ritter: View attachment 4058941
Beej: (
View attachment 4058953 View attachment 4058954
Like a Strat style jack plate, on the edge of the body positioned just about under where a traditional one would go on the front.
That looks like a salvaged part from the hood of a 40's Chrysler
I voted angle front jack simply because I play Strats a lot and I really like that arrangement. But I don't know of a P bass that offers that. So I end up going with standard front because I'm going to play the bass that sounds and plays like I need it to regardless of jack arrangement. I suppose it wouldn't be that hard to incorporate angled front on a P. Hmmm.... food for thought.
