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Post subject: P Bass plug noise
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:42 pm
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My 1980's P Bass suddenly began making serious noise recently when the cord was moved the least bit. The problem turned out to be a combination of a loose quarter-inch-socket nut on the bass and oxidation on the aging aluminum-foil shield on the inside of the bass's pickguard. To repair the problem I unscrewed and removed the pickguard, then took about a square inch or less of 3M High-Temperature Flue Tape, which is just adhesive-backed aluminum foil, turned over the corners of each foil piece to make sure it made good electrical contact with the existing foil shield, and stuck it down over the openings for the socket and the two potentiometers (knobs) on the inside of the pickguard right over the existing foil shield. This covered (and eliminated) the damaged and oxidized surface that was losing electrical contact to the toothed washers when stress was applied to the cord in the socket. I then opened a hole for potentiometer shafts and plug in the foil where the pickguard holes were, reassembled the unit and made sure to tighten the nuts well. When I was done, the problem didn't occur unless I really reefed on the socket--in normal use the noise wasn't present. Usual caveats apply--don't short anything, YMMV, use at our own risk, etc.


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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:19 pm
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I had some scratchiness in one of my pots. I got some of this stuff, sprayed it in there, and it went away.
http://store.caig.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0 ... tegory=188

As far as the jack, IMO those things just get old and worn out from the constant plugging and unplugging of the cord. Seems like you have fixed your problem. Good news.


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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:23 pm
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This is a good reminder of why you should check your jack nut now and then to make sure it isn't loose. I give every instrument a good going over and make sure everything is tight about once a month or so. I check all the screws and all the nuts top to bottom. Amazing how often you'll find something loose! Strap buttons I really keep an eye on.


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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:26 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
Strap buttons I really keep an eye on.


Yes indeed!


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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:17 pm
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Good advice and help from you both. Thanks!


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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 3:56 am
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zod wrote:
I had some scratchiness in one of my pots. I got some of this stuff, sprayed it in there, and it went away.
http://store.caig.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0 ... tegory=188

As far as the jack, IMO those things just get old and worn out from the constant plugging and unplugging of the cord. Seems like you have fixed your problem. Good news.


Yep. Actually some plugs are not made to standard so they don't fit like a proper plug would. They are maybe undersized a bit. These are the imported plugs. AND yes the jack will wear out!

The so called "Panel Jacks" used in the Ibanez guitars are about the most unreliable. The SWITCHCRAFT brand used in most Fender guitars is pretty foolproof...but eventually they might need some attention.


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