Alembic jacks

[tcube]

I've been noticing that on my Essence, Distillate, and F1X, the jacks all tend to be very loose. Is there a simple way to tighten them (aside from replacing them all)?  They're loose regardless of the plug I'm using.

[terryc]

When you mean loose, do you mean the retaining nut holding the jackplug insert??
If so, remove the backplate where the electronics & battery is, obtain a 12mm socket or wrench, take hold of the socket body inside the cavity and place the socket around the retaining nut and tighten BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY as it will damage the finish, just enough to stop the socket from spinning around.
This is a common occurence on all gear with these sockets..general wear & tear really.
As for the pre amp unit, you will have to gain access to the inside, if you attempt to tighten without retaining the socket body you may rip the connecting wires from the solder points although you can grip the socket sleeve with a pair of long nosed electricians pliers and tighten with the 12mm wrench whilst holding the socket sleeve with the aforementioned pliers.
best of luck

[tcube]

Sorry, I should have been more specific.  The 1/4 instrument cables keep sliding out.  The retaining nut and the jack insert are firmly in place.  Thanks!

[terryc]

There is a retaining tang(clip) which engages with the bullet tip of the plug, this may have lost it's 'spring' with constant use, depends on the socket but the tang could be bent back carefully using pliers.

[tcube]

terryc,  Thanks for your advice.  I'll give that a try - carefully.  Hopefully it won't crack.

[terryc]

glad to help as we all do on here

[mikedm]

I wonder, what brand of instrument cable do you use? Monster and Planet Wave cables will not stayed seated in my '89 Elan, they pop right out after about a minute. On the other hand, a generic, no-name brand will stay firmly in the jack every time.

[fmm]

I have the suspicion that Monster and Planet Waves cables have a slightly greater diameter than standard cables.  I have students who have used these cables exclusively since acquiring their basses, and when they come over for lessons my cables tend to fall out of the jacks easily.  I think this is by design, to force you to continue using their products once they've been used enough to slightly enlarge the jack opening.

[jazzyvee]

I remember having problems with the planet waves cables that had thing they called a compression spring near the cable end which was supposed to hold it in the socket tighter but on my alembics all it did was push the jack out of the socket after a few minutes playing. It was fine on my non alembic guitars but no good for Alembics.
 
Now I use Klotz cable and with Neutrix jacks using right angled ones for the end that goes into the guitar or bass and make up my own cables.  
 

 
Jazzyvee

[tcube]

Alembicans,
I've tried a variety of cables of varying price points (Monster, DiMarzio, P-Wave, & No-name).  All of these stay put in other basses (Spector, Warwick, Fishman-full circle [upright pup]).  They all slip out of my Alembics.  So my guess is that it's not the cables, but the jacks.

[pauldo]

I have not had that problem on any bass or guitar that I own(ed). Currently using Monster cables, but sometimes switch to what ever is lying around cables.
 
Maybe the 'tang' that Terry mentioned is actually stretched so that it does not fully seat in the groove beyond the bullet tip? (like the plug is not engaging far enough into the jack). A venier caliper should allow you to measure the depth of the jack and then the length of the cable butt to groove behind tip.
 
DO be careful if bending the tang - I recently noticed that I have some hairline cracks in the top wood around my jack.

[smokin_dave]

I've been using a Monster Studio Pro 1000 since the late 90's and have never had a problem with jack slippage on either my Epic or Rogue.