Author Topic: Crackle from the Jack on my Europa 5 bass (Read 149 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** May 19, 2009, 11:05:31 AM »

I did a gig last night with my Europa and during soundcheck my bass volume kept dropping really low and distorting. I took out the battery and replaced with a fresh one. The problem was the same, then i jiggled the jack lead and it made a loud crackling sound, though intermittent.

Changed the lead for a new one and the problem is still the same.
I managed to play through the whole gig fortunately without it crackling but something isn't right.

Today I took the control plate off and checked the nut at the back of the jack and that is still tight.
Any suggestions?

Jazzyvee

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2009, 12:37:12 PM »

JazzyVee..somewhere on this forum there is a thread which explains how to cure this, not only is it very interesting reading it also works.
It maybe down to some minor corrosion on the socket.
Since I am useless at doing links I am sure davehouck or someone else will point you in the right direction.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2009, 01:07:44 PM »

Thanks, then maybe I will use the search then but usually there are so many references coming up for anything i search, it gets tiring to crawl through them.

Here goes.

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2009, 01:16:47 PM »

Try the 1/4 inch jack issues thread ...

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2009, 01:30:43 PM »

Actually, on a Europa with a traditional Switchcraft barrel jack, the jack may be fatigued beyond repair. You may have noticed that we have migrated to a different side-mounted jack (like this one on Monty), since the barrel jacks tend to have a limited 5-10 year lifespan.

You can order a prewired replacement from us for $15 or get 2 for $25 so you'll have your next spare on hand. Sorry, but there is no method to change tot he new long-frame jack if you currently have a barrel jack.

Note that some premium cables tend to wear the jacks more than standard cables. Seems that some gold plated connectors are overplated on standard ones, and therefor have a larger diameter than .25 inches. Go figure! If you can feel a scraping physical resistance as you insert your cable, then it surely needs replacing.

One other possibility again with the premium cables is that some have connectors that are longer and may slightly overshoot the contacts on the very standard jacks in the instrument. If you have no trouble with the contact just before the cable is fully inserted, you might want to put a nylon washer over the cable connector first to compensate.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2009, 11:34:06 PM »

Hi Mica, what would the shipping be for that to the UK?
Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:45:43 PM »

Hmm, strange......just been practicing on this bass with an angled jack lead and the crackle does not appear. I usually use angled leads on this and all my instruments with a non strat like jack socket, so never noticed this before on the bass. Maybe the straight lead is a slightly different size than the angled lead and that was causing the problem although both are planet waves.

so best keep that in the case again so I don't forget.

Once i find out what Mica says the shipping would be for new jacks, ( hint, hint), I can get spares for the future just in case it later proves that the jack is on it's way out as well.

Jazzyvee

pierreyves · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:02:14 PM »

look that jack (inside) don't touch other part of electronic.

slawie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2009, 02:54:42 PM »

At times there is a build up of crud sweat, beer or oil from your fingers on the contacts for the 1/4 jack.
I have a little bottle of Isopropyl alchohol that I had purchased from a Chemist (drug store) and dip a cotton swab on a stick (Qtip) whack that into the jack and hey presto all clean and good.
Make sure that you have no power running to the bass when you do it.
You can also clean the plug with a tissue damped with the Isopropyl.
The stuff is great it breaks down the fats and oils and leaves no residue.
Also efective for cleaning pipes that get blocked with tar.

slawie

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2009, 05:09:36 PM »

Jazzy, did you tried an other Cable plug?

Sometime ago our Vocalist/Acoustic Guitarist got one of those circuit breaker cables they make, but it quikly broke its switch. Guitar's signal was failing, cracking and popping. Sometimes it sounded distorted, some other it was just low.

He got a new one on store as it was on guarantee already, but the new one broke too. He changed it again but, guess what? It broke again! He got 3 new Cables broken in just 2 months.

He simply had to gave up Planet Waves...

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2009, 12:48:56 AM »

Hi Mario, yes I did try my other cables and the right angled ones are fine, just the straight ones cause the cracke,
The last time I went to buy some new leads the store tried to persuade me to go for one of the circuit breaker leads and i resisted.
But i bought one of these expensive neutrik silent guitar leads, reluctantly, they cut off the signal when you remove the lead to stop pops getting to the amp.

It lasted a day because the jack was slightly bent and caused the little slider to stick so no signal could get through the lead. I returned it under warrantee and got 3 standard jacks in replacement.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cable-Neutrik-SILENT-Guitar-Lead-1-4-Mono-Jack-5M_W0QQitemZ370210168272QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item56323eddd0

Jazzyvee

jacko · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2009, 04:27:51 AM »

For what it's worth, I've used the same Planet Waves custom 20' right angled lead for the past 5 years and haven't had a single problem. I always carry a spare but it's never been used.
I would never use a circuit breaker style lead as I believe there will be some inevitable deterioration in the signal so I always Mute my amp when plugging/unplugging instruments.

Graeme