Replacing guitar 1/4" output

[LDSGuitar]

I've recently been having some trouble with the output jack on my hamer vanguard (Les Paul style jack). The jack doesn't seem to be loose, but it drops my guitar signal sporadically. I'm running directly to my amp through a new planet waves cable, so I know that something is wrong with my guitar. Assuming that the output jack is the problem (when I twist the cable in the jack, my signal returns), does anyone have suggestions on what brand/material jack to replace with? Or is there something I can do to fix my current jack?

Advice much appreciated.

[coyote]

a few things come to mind:

 

a) oxidation. a wire brush will fix it - tip & ring.

b) loose wire. make sure your solder joints are solid.

c) bent tip. if the tip contact point has been bent, you might only need to bend it back into proper position.

[baronedo]

Coyote has you on the right track for fixing this.

 

Disassemble the guitar as needed to get at the jack. Check the soder joints of the wire. I've found some guitars were the wires were too short and under tension, which actually made the wire partially break, resulting in an intermittent connection. This is easily remedied by installing (sodering ) a new length of wire (use 20 or 22 gauge stranded wire).

 

If the jack is is the type that you can see the 1/4' male guitar chord plug making contact with the jack contacts when inserted, insert your guitar chord to ensure that the tip is making good contact with it's metal contact in the jack. As Coyote indicated, sometimes the jack contact can become bent. If you find this, remove your guitar chord plug and bend the jack connection back so that it makes good contact with the tip when reinserted. If the jack contacts seem excessively fatigued, buy a new one and install it (make note of the postive wire which goes to the tip contact, and the neg. wire which goes to the jack ground).

 

If your jack is an internal type design where you can't see the plug when inserted, just replace this jack if you suspect it is the problem as the internal connections in these jacks tend to wear out, resulting in your intermittent problem. I just fixed a friend's guitar that had this problem.

 

Good luck and keep us posted on your findings.

In any event, your problem should be easy to fix.

[cincinnatirock]

Save yourself the headache and just replace the thing. It should only be around $15 at a local store including parts and labor.

[baronedo]

cincinnatirock's comment is valid. The fully exposed type jacks are very inexpensive (less than $5) while the enclosed ones ( the type where you can't see the plug making contact) cost about $15.

 

Unless you find something obviously wrong like a broken wire / bad soder connection, I would just replace the darn thing and be done with it.

 

Keep us posted of your progress as it will help others with similar problems.

[LDSGuitar]

Thanks for all the advice. I stopped by the local guitar center and they didn't have any enclosed jacks, so I'm going to go to a servicer/luthier to have the jack replaced. I'll post the cost after I get it serviced.