Is my 4003FL's jack overstretched?

[cassius987]

I ordered some cables just before Christmas off of eBay (that may already be a red flag for some), sold by "prismelectronics.me" and supposedly made to order. They are Canare GS-6 with Neutrik 1/4'' plugs, 20'. I didn't have a chance to use them until yesterday when my band resumed rehearsals. We all turned and looked as my usually very reliable 4003FL was making strange clipping noises and the output from the treble pickup was in-and-out. As it turns out this was the plug; it was loose in the jack and going in and out of contact quite easily, similar to a Planet Waves cable I used to own. But this is a true 1/4'' cable; this shouldn't be happening with a proper Switchcraft jack, at least not to my knowledge. I replaced the cable with a shorter one I had made by Butch Ammons a few years ago out of GS-6 and G&H plugs and I did not have any more problems. I did the same AB procedure just now before I practiced from a new study book. Again it seems the new plugs aren't fitting all that well, but they are at least labeled Neutrik so why should I be having these problems? It makes me worry the jack itself is to blame. In that case am I better off buying a new ROS assembly and soldering it in as a replacement? (I would do that rather than buy a new switching mono jack to avoid the hassle of soldering the two jacks together.) Thoughts?

[jps]

I would just clean the tabs on the jack and bend them in a bit to provide tighter contact, first.

[aceonbass]

I seem to remember Butch saying something on his site a while back about mfg. tollerences on the Neutrics (as well as other popular brands) not being what they used to be. I have him make my cables with G&H nickel plated plugs now.

[johnallg]

My cables use the Neutrik and I do not experience this. But I made them about 4 or so years ago.

[cjj]

Huh, that's sad to hear about Neutrik connectors, they used to be really good. Any hint as to what those "other popular brands" might be?

[aceonbass]

Probably the worst cable out there right now is Monster cables, especially the gold plated ones. First of all, in order to achieve a tighter fin in the jack, the Monster cables are a couple thousandths over size. This little trick will wear the jack out over time, causing regular plugs to be loose. Second of all is the cheezy gold plating. Any benefit you get from the conductivity of gold plating is lost by the fact that there is a clear coat over it to keep the gold from wearing off. Finally, they are over priced when compared to making your own cables or even having them made by someone like Butch.

[cassius987]

I would just clean the tabs on the jack and bend them in a bit to provide tighter contact, first.

Good call Jeff, I'll probably try this tomorrow night and see if I can still use these new cables...

[rickenbrother]

Makes me wonder if the plugs of most or all manufacturers have changed tolerance somewhat. I recall Posts where Joshua has said that he thinks the Planet Waves plugs may have worn his output jacks. I've been using the Planet Waves cables since they were introduced, but they are all the same ones that I bought a long time ago. Never had to replace them. They've seen countless gigs and rehearsals. I've never had any problems, even when occasionally using a different brand of cables.

[cassius987]

Well, I'm definitely sticking with G&H plugs after this experience (until they get fudged up too).

[johnallg]

Probably the worst cable out there right now is Monster cables, especially the gold plated ones. First of all, in order to achieve a tighter fin in the jack, the Monster cables are a couple thousandths over size. This little trick will wear the jack out over time, causing regular plugs to be loose. Second of all is the cheezy gold plating. Any benefit you get from the conductivity of gold plating is lost by the fact that there is a clear coat over it to keep the gold from wearing off. Finally, they are over priced when compared to making your own cables or even having them made by someone like Butch.

+1

[cassius987]

I was able to bend the jack "tighter" by unscrewing the four screws that keep the jackplate in place, and pulling both jacks out. I just pushed in on the "Tip" a bit. It's now quite difficult to plug in compared to other guitars but once you plug in it's a rock solid connection, for now. My short cables with G&H plugs are the only ones that have never given me any trouble before this "fix", and I'm sorry I can't say that about the longer ones I got with Neutriks.

[aceonbass]

Joshua, I've been using the Zyzyx Snap Jack cables with the neo magnet plugs that stay in the basses output jack. This way I don't have to keep pulling and reinserting the plug, which over time is what causes it to wear anyway.

[cassius987]

I may consider that, eventually. However I've already invested about $100 in the cables I own and I'll try to use them as long as I can. If they fail... then I think I'll try the Zyzyx route. Seems like a good idea.

[aceonbass]

I think Zyzyx sells kits to make your own cables so you can just swap out the ends. I keep a magnetic plug in each of my basses. Changing basses is quiet and quick this way.

[cassius987]

Would it be smart to let my 4003FL sit out overnight with a G&H plug installed in the mono jack? Just to get it "re-molded" to that kind of fit? Right now it will hold anything, even a POS Monster plug, but it's all hard to plug in because of the way I bent the jack tip inward.