Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

'72 4001 output jack really crackles. What do you reckon? Is it too rusty? I prefer not to replace it but rather fix it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIY1Dzt ... e=youtu.be

I read that 600 grit paper might work.
But Im not sure if thats a wise thing to do?

Philip you can see the corrosion on the jack. If it was my guitar I would replace the jack. There is nothing to be lost by a gentle abrasion of the corroded area. All original is meaningless if your goal is to play it.

Try something as simple as a pencil eraser to clean the contact areas of the tangs. Also, make sure the tangs are snugly holding the plug in place. The tangs are, basically, springs, so you can push them inwards a bit to tighten up the connection.

Video isn't playing.

Generally speaking, wrap some sandpaper around some kind of long, small cylinder (like a small pencil) and it should take that right off. Or open it up and sand it without the wrap technique, just by hand.

And Jeff's thing too, give it a good pinch to make sure it's tight. Also, cable plugs vary wildly. Make sure you are using a good one and it sits in there properly.

There looks to be some oxidation on the contacts/springs preventing a solid electrical connection. I would start with a pencil eraser, and if that doesn't work, then go to a very fine sandpaper, if all else fails, install a new jack.

Thanks guys.
Didn't have a proper pencil eraser so I used sandpaper with 800 grit.
Worked like magic.

Very happy!

Thanks!

Interesting.... I would have put money on inadequate tang/spring tension, or maybe a faulty cord. Thanks for this thread.

I’ve had that(inadequate tang/spring tension) before on a 78. That was my first suspicion also

If you sand or use any abrasive or cleaner on a jack you need to ad some protectant or it'll corrode even faster - you've possible removed corrosion but also scratched the plating.

Always spray or use a Q-tip soak with a cleaner/lubricant like Caig D100. Never use just contact cleaner alone.