Author Topic: Installing a Five Pin Jack in a Series I Bass (Read 147 times)

ttc · « **on:** June 08, 2011, 08:47:14 AM »

I have to install a new 5-pin jack in my 1986 Series I bass. Mary sent me the assembly, which includes the housing (black), pins, and wiring with what looks like a junction/plug and the wires on the other side of the junction for connection to the bass.

I intend to install by first taking a picture of the existing hookups, then disconnecting the existing jack, and then simply replicating the connections by soldering in the wires from the new jack.

Has anyone done this before, or is anyone aware of a discussion thread on this?

Many thanks,

TTC

JimmyJ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2011, 05:30:24 PM »

I've done it a couple times and I'm sure you can too if you're comfortable soldering. What happened to the original jack?

If you can, post the pics you take plus a shot of what Mary sent you. If there are already some wires attached to the piece she sent that would make it an easier fix!

Jimmy J

ttc · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2011, 08:58:28 AM »

Jimmyj--thanks. I will try to post pictures but not savvy in that department.

The original jack started shrieking about 14-15 years ago, so I repaired it then, putting a new five pin piece into the original housing. The jack began to shriek again more recently (1-2 years ago), and so I want to replace both the housing and five pin piece with what Mary sent.

TTC

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2011, 05:05:12 PM »

Here's where to hook up the wires:

JimmyJ · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:29:25 PM »

TTC,

Shrieking is an unusual symptom to be caused by the 5-pin connector... Unless it is physically loose in its housing, or the pins are corroded, it's hard to imagine this component being the cause. In my experience the female plug on the cable is more likely to fail due to wear than the male connector on the bass. But then, if your previous repair fixed your problem then maybe you are on to something..?

Does this sound happen when you wiggle the connectors? And do you have a second 5-pin cable you could try?

Meanwhile, the above photo clearly shows which wire goes where - and is a good example of the precise soldering and use of shrink tubing that comes from Alembic HQ! (I clearly need to practice my soldering.....)

Jimmy J

ttc · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2011, 09:04:41 AM »

Jimmy J,

This is great--many thanks! I had the part installed this weekend by a guitar tech who had much more practice than me! Because the wiring was already attached to the five-pin side, his work was to solder the other end to the quarter-inch jack leads.

When he got in there, the original orange wire simply broke off at the 1/4 inch lead; it was hanging by a strand or two. Also, the purple wire broke in the same place with very little movement. The tech thought this was the problem; the connections at the five pin end were solid.

After installation, no amount of jiggling the cable caused the shrieking noise, and some of the loud ground buzz I had always suffered with was diminished (hum cancellers took care of the rest).

I am now back in business--thanks for your quick help and thanks to Mary at Alembic for the express part delivery!!

Regards,

TTC

artswork99 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2011, 10:00:05 AM »

Good to hear it's all worked out, thanks for your contribution here Jimmy!

ttc · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2011, 08:41:24 AM »

And thanks to Mica for the pic!!

Best

TTC