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Thread: pickup jack question

  1. #1
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Question pickup jack question

    Hi folks,

    I have an Arrow G5 with a magnetic pickup, like the Jazzbo. The contacts inside the jack are a bit dodgy and I would like to get it repaired. But it does not appear to be the usual type of 1/4" plug receiving jack.

    It doesn't seem to be threaded and I can't just pull it off. Any info on how to separate this jack from the instrument would be very helpful.

    (I have tried to get in touch with Paul Lestock, but he is famously difficult to access.)

    Yes, that is a Randy Allen tailpiever, but I'm sure that the jack and the tailpiece are separate items. --But a thought occures to me that it might be necessary to remove the tail piece first...?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you!

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  2. #2
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    It sure looks like the usual Switchcraft style jack where the strap button nut should screw off counter clockwise, exposing a thin jam nut that also screws off counter clockwise, after which the jack (and whatever it's soldered to) can be withdrawn from inside the instrument. I can't see why the tailpiece would have to come off first.

    L.R. Baggs sells a very similar jack that uses a different thread pitch for the nuts.

    I've had two such jacks seize up over time so the outer strap button nut won't come off the jack, resulting in the whole thing turning (and twisting the pickup wires) when I tried to remove it. I tried penetrating oil like Free-All, WD-40, PJ Blaster, etc. to no avail. Weird because when I install the jacks I only tighten the strap nut with my fingers.

    OTOH, in the front view looking into the jack I can't make out separate threads where the strap nut threads on, so it could be another type of one-piece screw in jack, though those typically have a slot across the face to use a wide screw driver to install.

    I would try gently turning it CCW with padded pliers in either case.

  3. #3

    Default Re: pickup jack question

    You might try some tuner cleaner on the contacts first, De-Ox-it (sp?) is popular in the electric world.

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  5. #4
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Take a Q-tip and put tuner cleaner or alcohol on it and rub the inside of the jack. The ground doesn't make much contact and it oxidizes with time. I am guessing you are getting crackling when you plug it in. This will stop it. No need to remove the jack.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  6. #5
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Thanks for your responses.

    When plugged in, the signal from the jack to the plug sometimes cuts out entirely. It doesn't really crackle. I know how to adjust the angle between the plug and the jack to get them to reconnect, but if that happens onstage in the middle of a song, I'm toast!

    Taking the tailpiece off --I spelled that 3 different ways i my post!-- might allow for more torque on the jack.

    I took some images of the bore of the jack. It's not smooth like the jack on my JBovier. I'm not sure what I'm seeing here...

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    Daniel

  7. #6

    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Can you use a dental mirror and flashlight to see if there’s a jam nut on the inside holding the jack tight against the end block? If so loosening the tailpiece still won’t allow you to remove the jack.

  8. #7

    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Just another thought, I’ve had the outside jack button/cover repeatedly come loose on some of my guitars and I used a dab of blue lock tight to keep them on. To remove them later I cut out a 1/2” hole in a piece of corrugated cardboard, put it over the jack and apply a little heat from a blow dryer, the cardboard is thick enough not to allow the heat to damage the finish and then they come right off.

  9. #8
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Try cleaning it first. It can cut out or crackle. I use a strain relief pliers to remove the jack cover. It usually screws on. There will be a nut under it to remove the jack, which will remove to the inside of the mandolin. You can change it if you like, but I have fixed many of these by cleaning.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  10. #9
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Unless you have a major problem with the contacts, Servsol switch cleaner and a bit of in/out jiggling with a spare jack plug might solve the problem.

    I turned up for a gig one night with a completely dead AER-60 amp; it turned on but nothing came out of it. I was on the point of sending it for repair when the AER service centre suggested that I tried cleaning the headphone socket. Why the headphone socket, I thought? The socket is switched so that the speaker goes off when you plug a set of ‘phones in and corrosion in the switch prevented the signal from travelling between the pre and power amp stages. A squirt of Servisol and a jack plug quickly solved the problem.

    Failing that, is the socket an adapted line socket? i.e. one with a sleeve that screws onto the business end? It would be possible to use one of these and hold it in place with the tailpiece.

  11. #10
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Is it perhaps an EMG Ultrajak that requires an allen wrench to loosen? Here's my experience with a Rigel with Ultrajak including photos.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ighlight=rigel

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  13. #11

    Default Re: pickup jack question

    Quote Originally Posted by jefflester View Post
    Is it perhaps an EMG Ultrajak that requires an allen wrench to loosen? Here's my experience with a Rigel with Ultrajak including photos.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ighlight=rigel
    I think you got it right. EMG Ultrajak looks like the same strap button shape.

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  15. #12
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Default Re: pickup jack question

    cool. Thanks everyone. I'm looking into the Ultrajak, and I'll clean it too.

    Daniel

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