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I bought a tapastring mini endpin jack a few years back and never installed it on my 1976 JS. However, the right angle mini jack which came with it is of such great quality that i replaced the jack on a cable of my preferred brand which i now use for gigs. For backup, in case the cable breaks i carry with me a adapter from mini jack to 6.3mm jack, so in case of emergency i could use a normal cable. My positive feeling about not having reamed out the end block exceeds the slightly negative situation of having to plug into the mini jack in a somewhat awkward place.
Originally Posted by floatingpickup
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02-03-2025 11:37 AM
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You would still need to ream out the end block, but the hole would not need to be as large as a regular endpin. Originally Posted by floatingpickup
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Ya know, the shortest answer is "take it to a good guitar tech."
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Yabbut, what's the fun in that?
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That was exactly what I thought after looking at the picture. My feeling is, if you decide to ream out the endblock, you may was well just just go with the standard 1/4” jack. For now, I think I’ll leave my JS and L5C stock. I don’t take those guitars out on gigs very often anyway. Originally Posted by JazzNote
Keith
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At this point the Johnny Smith is at the very least a vintage piece. If you own one, and value it at, all leave it as it was intended. If it's just a beater drill away! That's my take anyway.
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This is my 38 L5 set up. Single volume wheel under pickguard. The pigtail 3.5 jack. Just tucks in f hole when not in use. Out to use but i will wrap the chord in a way to avoid pulling off pickguard in horrible accident. I can take it all off in minutes. No mods to guitar.
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I avoid making modifications to vintage guitars unless absolutely necessary. If we are talking about a beater, that’s different, but I just can’t bring myself to making any permanent changes to an all-original vintage piece. Originally Posted by skiboyny
Keith
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Agree, and I've made that mistake before! I would leave a vintage JS or L5 the way they are, so long as you ar not relying on them for gig worthiness! Originally Posted by floatingpickup
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If I saw a pic of it w/ out the hardware I wouldn't think so but the green corrosion certainly says other wise
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yes, it is, and I would get a new guard and just remount and do it all right. This is a Gibson JS guitar and worth the money and trouble to do completely correct. They don't make them anymore that says a lot.
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Agreed, I was going to suggest earlier in the thread that he just make a new one with the controls and output that he wants. Now, I would probably remove that guard and take it apart, the pot is corroded and you can eves see some debris on the front. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
For me, I would build a new guard and put the output jack on the end pin. Most of the parts can be swapped back easily if desired, I think the only non-original issue would be if the hole at the endpin needs to be reamed for the jack, that's a tough question to answer, kind of an invasive procedure. I know because I have one on my '46 Martin, wish I hadn't done that years ago!
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The green is a telltale sign. It’s not any wonder that the jack is cutting out. It really needs to be changed. Dissimilar metals don’t conduct very well. Re work the whole setup. It will be dependable.
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I installed an end pin jack on mine and used Gibson style pickup cable (exterior braid) to connect the new jack to the old by soldering to the points on the old jack where the pickup cable is soldered. The cable from the old to the new jack runs through the F hole below the pick guard, so isn't visible. The guitar still looks original, but the functionality is much better.
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Over the years i owned two L5's with gassing PG's (a late 60ies and a 1970). Both guards were of fairly transparant material, this PG does not look similar. I would guess that it's not the same material as mine were and therefore not very likely to gass out. In both cases of my L5's the gassing did no damage to the guitars, as i didn't keep them in a case for extended periods of time and replaced them at the point when the gassing became obvious. I think the green on the hardware is a not seldom seen reaction of metal parts on used guitars which does not necessarily bear a connection to gassing. Originally Posted by BebopFan
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Putting the jack socket beneath the tailpiece is the worst place it can go, for multiple reasons. Put it in the mid curve of the lower bout.
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My '74 GJS as received last year retrofitted with 1/4" jack and volume and tone wheels under the pickguard. The original pickup is in the case with control. This setup was professionally done and works well with the KA 12 pole pu. Great guitar. I always run the cable behind the strap on the endpin. Some day I might have the original pickup and control remounted on a second guard. All of these pros and cons can be argued. But this is how mine came from the fantastic artist and previous much respected owner. I can't argue with him (RIP)!
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Not sure I understand...you're saying this is a bad idea? Originally Posted by glevumguy
BTW: I neglected to mention that there was no need to modify the hole that already existed in the tailpiece to mount the jack - it was a perfect fit! I did have to enlarge and deepen the hole behind it that Gibson had drilled to mount the original endpin.
Last edited by gionnio; 02-10-2026 at 07:49 PM.
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Here's a couple of photos to illustrate my approach:
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Personally, I have no problem having a good tech drill for an endpin jack. And if I were to buy a guitar that's already been drilled for one, I'd be pleased. I almost ripped the guard off a Super 400 CN years ago that had the 1/8" plug under the guard. I've been scared straight.
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Endpin jack is certainly the way to go. If done correctly it won’t devalue the instrument by any significant amount.
For those who must use a 1/8 connector, I suggest using TRS (stereo) connectors. The extra terminal adds significant stability to the connection. Just wire the tip hot and ring and sleeve to ground.
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The 1/8 jack on my 69 JS still works and I would not give up the sound of the original gray cord. That cord I'm convinced is a part of the sound. Is it practical? It sure is, if you sit when you play. If you stand, not so much.
I don't like the endpin jack at all. I have several archtops with the endpin jack and I dislike the connection with the strap.
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The capacitance characteristics of the original cord probably do contribute to the sound.
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Im no collector but in a hypothetical situation, if I had two completely equal JS guitars to buy and one had an endpin vs original Id buy the one with the endpin. Id have to pay to have the original altered becuase Im clumsey. For me its an expensive accident waiting to happen.
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