Instrument Cable Jack Pulls Out

[Marcus Kaufman]

Hi All,

I hope this is not a dumb question, but I recently had a pick-up and 1/4 inch jack installed on this old Stradolin, and the male end on the instrument cable works its way out with even the slightest pull or twist of the cable. Do I just need to buy a better/different cable (I have a Quantum Audio Designs GL-2000) or is there likely something wrong with the female jack/setup?

Thanks,

Marcus

[mannc385]

I believe the pointed end of the male plug with the back taper is supposed to lock into a metal tab on the female side that is spring loaded for pressure. If the female was just installed it could need the tab adjusted to give it more spring to hold onto the male plug. You may could look at some other cables to see if any have a little larger diameter on the backside taper and that would hold better. They are probably to a standard size so that may not be an option. If neither one of those are options you might could try a 1/4" piece of the metal air handling tape on one side of the male end near the plug to tighten up the plug. Just a few ideas, good luck, and I'm sure you will get some better advice from others.

[mandroid]

Installation was not done properly. :disbelief:
the picture shows the threaded sleeve is too far in.
the external strap piece has to come off again , the Hex-nut underneath it removed, and the other hex-nut on the inside of the instrument threaded a bit further down the threads on that part ,
and then re installed .

when done the finishing nut will thread back on over the clamping hex nut, and the threaded sleeve is flush or a bit proud on the end of the button,

or as, the jack button is on my Mix no more than 2mm below the surface,
the cable end on mine, serrated where it meets the strap button, 90 degree ,
on mine the blue anodized aluminum finishing nut wore off a bit of aluminum to seat itself,
the harder,plated brass ones, likely wont allow that ..

I'd go with Flush + if I were you.

:popcorn:

[Oliver R]

I'm not sure how you can tell that from the picture to be honest. Looks ok to me.
I would go with the 'sprung tab' on the female socket needs some adjustment.
(IMHO) of course

[mandroid]

The 2mm measurement of Flush Minus can be tested by the original poster ,

that's the benefit of standard units of measure ..

if it's greater , a do over is needed , if the requirement is bending the tip contact more , the jack assembly has to come out to do that too.

[Tim2723]

Remove the external stap button, then see if the plug will lock in place firmly without it. If it doesn't, it's the spring, if it does, it's the depth adjustment.

[pops1]

I agree that the strap button is out too far, mandroid is correct, i have seen this several times. It will also help to bring your cord behind your strap then plug it in as it will pull on your strap if your cord gets too tight and not your jack.

[Marcus Kaufman]

Thanks for the advice. I took the strap button off and the jack now stays in just fine. So there's my answer.

[James P]

When a shop tried to get out of re-doing a bunk install I printed out the K&K manual, where it says that they actually want some thread showing outside the strap button.

http://www.kksound.com/manuals.html

[Rob Gerety]

Goodness it seems like if you bring your instrument to a pro for an install they ought to do it correctly! So frustrating.