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Post subject: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:39 am
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Hi, I just bought my first Tele - its a Road Worn 50's model and I noticed that the jack where I plug in is not flush with the body on one side of the jack. It looks lopsided. I was wondering if anybody else has seen this, and if I can remove the jack and place it back in to make it fit better? If so, how? Sorry I don't have any pics, I'm writing this at work. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:24 am
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tvav69 wrote:
Hi, I just bought my first Tele - its a Road Worn 50's model and I noticed that the jack where I plug in is not flush with the body on one side of the jack. It looks lopsided. I was wondering if anybody else has seen this, and if I can remove the jack and place it back in to make it fit better? If so, how? Sorry I don't have any pics, I'm writing this at work. Thanks!


It is a common problem with Telecasters w/ Vintage Output Jack. It's not a great design, but it is traditional so has remained all these years. Also, this will likely occur numerous times. There are better aftermarket Jacks/ Jack Cups out there

Yes, you can remove and reset it.

What you need to do is remove strings and the Pickguard (8 phillips head screws) and carefully lift it off. You'll see all the routing and the Output Jack.

Take a 3/8" (1/2" will work) socket wrench and loosen the nut on the Output Jack, push it through and set the jack aside (take care not to break any wires or solder joints).

The Cup will just come loose, but inside, you'll see a piece of pronged metal which holds back the Output Jack. Loosen this and rotate it 90°. Then replace the Output Jack, on the outside, replace the Cup and Nut and hand tighten making sure it stays flush w/ the Body. Be sure to hand-tighten ONLY ! If made too tight, you'll bend the inner piece and the Cup will be loose.

See pic:

Image

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:57 am
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thanks alot!


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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:19 am
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I got to thinking about your fix for my problem and I couldn't help but wonder, can't I just loosen the nut inside the cup, and then just push in the side of the jack that's sticking out to far? it's actually the lip of the cup that's higher on one side than the other. I just really want to push that lip down until it is closer to the body of the guitar. Appreciate yr help!


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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:59 am
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tvav69 wrote:
I got to thinking about your fix for my problem and I couldn't help but wonder, can't I just loosen the nut inside the cup, and then just push in the side of the jack that's sticking out to far? it's actually the lip of the cup that's higher on one side than the other. I just really want to push that lip down until it is closer to the body of the guitar. Appreciate yr help!


Well, that might work, but I suspect that the Cup or the Hole is slightly out-of-round and you'll likely have to rotate the cup to get the best possible fit. Just be certain to hand-tighten ONLY. Lots of people reason that getting it as tight as possible is better, only to discover that they make the problem worse.

As I said, this Output Jack on the Telecaster is a terrible design which has frustrated generations of Telecaster players (might even say the majority of Teles are like that)... the jack is loose on my '99 and because of the constant stress of plugging/unplugging, just won't stay tight for very long, no matter what I do.

I just chalk it up to being part of the Telecaster's charm, just like it's perfectly imperfect intonation ! :lol:

cheers!

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'10 Heritage H-535
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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:24 am
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I have had the same problem with several Tele's and I think the best repair is to replace the cup with one of the machined aluminum cups available on the aftermarket. Having said that, I have also repaired a couple of them by removing the factory cup and drilling and countersinking two holes on the inside of the cup (similar hole locations as in the replacement cups) then securing the cup to the guitar body with a couple of small flush head phillips screws. I've never had one of these repairs go bad. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Road Worn 50's Tele - input jack isn't flush with body
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:06 pm
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S Bender wrote:
I have had the same problem with several Tele's and I think the best repair is to replace the cup with one of the machined aluminum cups available on the aftermarket.

The "Rutters Twisted Machined Jack Cup," and "Rutters Shallow Twisted Machined Jack Cup," are the best machined aluminum Tele jack cups that I have seen. No screws are necessary to afix them to the guitar. However, sometimes a dab of super-glue may be needed.

Rutters Guitars also makes the “Rutterscup” which attaches traditionally with screws. All are sized for switchcraft jacks.

If you want to use a guitar cable with a male "L" plug for your Tele, use the "Shallow Twisted Machined Jack Cup," or one of the other cups with the longer Switchcraft L11 jack, rather than the more common Swithcraft 11 jack, which similar to what is in your guitar.

http://ruttersguitars.com/Hot_Rod_Parts.html


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