Barrel Jack recommendation

[Richard R]

Hi all,

The barrel jack socket on my active bass has become worn over time so the connection is intermittent. 

I'd prefer fully enclosed as that's the same as the original, though reading the forums here there seems to be mixed views on these.

 

Recommendations for best brands? I would default to Neutrik, but they only seem to make open versions.

 

 

[neepheid]

All barrel jacks are the work of the devil, regardless of who made them.

 

Neutrik make barrel jack sockets - although I think they are branded Rean these days, but it's the same company.  And people love to get sloppy with the naming when they think Neutrik sounds cooler and it's not "wrong" enough to be officially called on it.

 

https://www.rean-connectors.com/en/product/nys2203

 

Edited Tuesday at 15:59 by neepheid

[KiOgon]

Switchcraft - best by far.

 

Available many places, for example; https://www.thomann.co.uk/allparts_switchcraft_ep0151_buchse.htm?gQT=1

[Richard R]

Thanks both.

@neepheid - I agree when they wear out they have to be replaced rather than just crimped, but the bass is 20+ years so I can live with that wear rate.

 

If I can find a chrome Switchcraft that's probably the one to go for.

[Hellzero]

I've tried all barrel jacks available including Switchcraft and EMG, but they are all dire or close to it.

 

I've been using these for many many many years instead and they are as good (bad?) as the others, but at a very low price: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alnicov-Cylinder-Output-Socket-Electric/dp/B08L6845FP/

[PaulThePlug]

Pure Tone do a Barrel Jack...

 

[NancyJohnson]

I have a side jack/barrel on one of my Hamers.  While it works ok, it simply will not stay tightly bolted in and the space inside the body cavity is a nightmare to get even a little spanner into to tighten the nut.

 

Horrible things.

[42Hz]

I have dealt a few times at https://www.banzaimusic.com. They are more component oriented than mainstream dealers. I needed a barrel jack for my Warwick and tgey had it. Also - not all barrel jacks are created equal. Compared to main stream shops Banzai are quite slow and unresponsive so be patient 🏖️

 

Here is one for Ibanez, look around and you may find: https://www.banzaimusic.com/ibanez-output-jack-1-piece-3jk1j23r.html

Edited Wednesday at 08:34 by 42Hz

[mybass]

Try ‘Allparts’ in the U.K. and Thomann

[Andyjr1515]

Switchcraft in my experience.  That said, barrel jacks are a difficult concept from an engineering and materials point of view and so even the best won't last as long as, say, a Switchcraft standard jack.

[Andyjr1515]

StringsDirect also sell Switchcraft barrel jacks.

 

[tauzero]

When replacing the barrel jack, extend the leads if necessary (heatshrink on the joints, of course) so that you can pull them through the jack socket hole and solder outside the control cavity rather than fiddling around inside it. Note: don't forget to thread the leads through the nut inside the control cavity before passing them out. Barrel jacks are a consumable item.

[lemmywinks]

They're all bad, even the good ones. I've had Switchcraft and Neutriks fail, in fact I think it was a Neutrik that gave up the ghost faster than any cheapo AliExpress copy. Had it in my backup bass which had maybe 10+ hours of use and just started crackling one day when I plugged it in, IMO they need to be redesigned with a grub screw you can use to tighten the connection.

 

These appear on a few basses and seem to be a better option if you fancy doing some surgery and the edge of your bass has a suitable surface, I have one on my Ibanez and it's been rock solid:

https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nj3fp6c

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:14 by lemmywinks

[neepheid]

23 minutes ago, lemmywinks said:

These appear on a few basses and seem to be a better option if you fancy doing some surgery and the edge of your bass has a suitable surface, I have one on my Ibanez and it's been rock solid:

https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nj3fp6c

 

Heh, they're almost as divisive as the barrel jacks!

 

[lemmywinks]

35 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Heh, they're almost as divisive as the barrel jacks!

 

 

Aside from my old Warwick (which funnily enough were known for jack issues) that's the only barrel jack I've not had a problem with so far. 

 

Tbh I think all side mounted jacks should just have a wider hole and a regular 14/" jack on a plate, that's what I have on my Aria with an East pre. Problem free and can fix it in 2 minutes with a screwdriver if it becomes unreliable.

https://www.blackdogmusic.co.uk/product/recessed-oval-jack-plate-in-chrome-black-or-gold/

Edited yesterday at 10:14 by lemmywinks
info

[tauzero]

47 minutes ago, lemmywinks said:

Aside from my old Warwick (which funnily enough were known for jack issues) that's the only barrel jack I've not had a problem with so far. 

 

Tbh I think all side mounted jacks should just have a wider hole and a regular 14/" jack on a plate, that's what I have on my Aria with an East pre. Problem free and can fix it in 2 minutes with a screwdriver if it becomes unreliable.

https://www.blackdogmusic.co.uk/product/recessed-oval-jack-plate-in-chrome-black-or-gold/

 

I'm not fond of the locking jacks - I find it awkward to unlock them, especially when using a wireless dongle. I remove the locking mechanism and leave the rest intact.

 

Fully agreed about the 1/4" jack on a plate, that's what my Sei headlesses have.

[neepheid]

My personal take is that the locking jack - in a bass/guitar context - is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[lemmywinks]

Or a more reliable alternative to a barrel jack. The only bass I own that has a locking jack came with it as stock, it's slightly more awkward to use than a regular jack but I do have the piece of mind that it most likely isn't going to crackle at a gig.

[Richard R]

Thanks all, After a bit of though I settled on getting two of these. One for now and one for when that dies. I shall put a note in the control cavity saying when it was replaced.

 

@tauzero - good tip on extending the leads first.

Also, note to self: take note which way round to connect the wires to avoid permanent battery drain... 

[Richard R]

Order arrived from Amazon and hour ago. I ordered two sockets but only one was shipped. Their CS chatbot couldn't set up for shipping the second item, it could only arrange a refund for both. Which is probably  cheaper for Amazon for a <£5 item.

Let's see how long this free barrel jack lasts 🙃

[Hellzero]

17 hours ago, Richard R said:

Thanks all, After a bit of though I settled on getting two of these. One for now and one for when that dies. I shall put a note in the control cavity saying when it was replaced.

 

@tauzero - good tip on extending the leads first.

Also, note to self: take note which way round to connect the wires to avoid permanent battery drain... 

With these barrel jacks, before soldering them I always use a multimeter and a stereo jack to check what each lug actually is as they are all of different length without any standardisation...

[Andyjr1515]

3 hours ago, Hellzero said:

With these barrel jacks, before soldering them I always use a multimeter and a stereo jack to check what each lug actually is as they are all of different length without any standardisation...

Yes - I do the same 👍

[JapanAxe]

Just fitted a Switchcraft barrel jack to my Steinberger Spirit as the original wouldn’t make consistent contact with the jack on my wireless bug. Feels much more solid and positive now.

 

But if I could, I’d have a good quality regulator jack socket in there.