Output Jack Loose Just before Gig!

ccast5206 · #1 11-11-2011, 11:44 AM

I have a D'Angelico archtop, and have used it for a number of jobs over the past year and a half without issue. This past Wednesday I had a lunch-time concert to play at one of our local colleges. I arrived early since parking and load in is always a problem and set up. Luckily I had about 20 minutes before the first downbeat, but as I went to place my cord in the jack and tune up, I was horrified to feel that the jack was loose! Worse - it went up into the body!!

The washer and nut were found on the floor. I tried to get the jack through the hole in order to place the nut without much luck and went off stage to the adjoining music room. A paper clip was handy, but not quite long enough to really to the job. An old style wire hanger was commandeered, cut, and bent up to form a fishing/poking tool, and after much under-my-breathe swearing and sweating, the jack was back in its hole and threaded to the nut. With only minutes before the concert start, I had to eliminate the washer (hope we didn't mar the wood finish) and will re-do this fix this weekend in more calmer circumstances with better tools.

I do have a nifty tool that will grip the jack and turn the nut, but it assumes the nut is already threaded onto the jack. This jack has a habit of loosening, and I have to measure the sleeve to see if it is 1/4" or 3/8". I may have to replace it to get a few more "safety" threads available. Either that or resort to lock-tight!

I hope no one else finds themselves in the same position!

seanlowe · #2 11-11-2011, 12:49 PM

Doesnt have to be lock-tite, might be a bit drastic

If it does happen very often, a bit a blue-tac or some really mild glue wont leave a mark. If you had enough thread handy on the jack, a sliver of non-slip mat or rubber cut into a washer can help too.

Flyin' Brian · #3 11-11-2011, 01:27 PM

This thread is a good reminder that some preventive maintenance is always necessary with our gear. I poke around my stuff every couple of weeks and check for loose connections, jacks, screws etc.

And having a few tools with you on a gig is like having extra strings and picks...just a necessity.

Now that I'm using a modeling setup (Roland GR-55) I still have a small amp and pedal board in my trunk just in case the synth decides to give up the ghost at exactly the wrong time.