Installing a locking output jack

[EADG]

Is this possible if it does not come standard on the bass? Just an idea I had. I play a Schecter Studio 5 (lefty, although I don't know if that matters).

[pitchfork]

Sorry can I see one of these, locking jack? Never heard of them.

[Roo_bass]

I think he means one of these:
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/know_more/images/neutrik_jack.jpg
But I could be wrong.

[LewsTherin]

You should be able to install one.

Its just like replacing your jack normally. The only things that could be problems are:

-Screwholes from the old jackplate
-The hole drilled for the old jack might not be big enough

[EADG]

I think he means one of these:
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/know_more/images/neutrik_jack.jpg
But I could be wrong.


Exactly.

[nicatterberry]

The hole for those is larger. The problems that come with that jack outweigh the benefits.

[EADG]

The hole for those is larger. The problems that come with that jack outweigh the benefits.


I don't think I'm going to do it.

[nicatterberry]

Honestly, as long as you put your cable through your strap it works just as well. My cable never falls out of my bass without the locking jack.

[EADG]

Honestly, as long as you put your cable through your strap it works just as well. My cable never falls out of my bass without the locking jack.


Exactly, I just saw the store I work at has some spare jacks and wondered if it was possible. I wouldn't want to take off my basses' beautiful gold jack anyway.

[AG]

Something I have found very usefull is using these types of jack sockets:

http://www.quasarelectronics.com/images/components/25socket.jpg

As aposed to these (http://www.quasarelectronics.com/images/components/35socket.jpg). If you can fit them into your cavity route then i would always go for them, they provide alot more pressure onto the jack and 'lock in' alot better.

[Aes820]

Those Neutrik ones would work.

But consider the option of using an XLR cable?
Maybe later down the track you could use the extra conductor in the XLR cable to provide some kind of phantom power to active components inside your guitar.
Then there's no need to waste space inside the guitar for the 9V batteries, and no need to be continually opening up the gutiar in order to change 'em when they go flat.

[Slight Return]

I'd just put a star washer on.

[Miek]

Those Neutrik ones would work.

But consider the option of using an XLR cable?
Maybe later down the track you could use the extra conductor in the XLR cable to provide some kind of phantom power to active components inside your guitar.
Then there's no need to waste space inside the guitar for the 9V batteries, and no need to be continually opening up the gutiar in order to change 'em when they go flat.
Could you explain phantom power?
I've heard about it before, but don't know what it actually is.

[Aes820]

Could you explain phantom power?
I've heard about it before, but don't know what it actually is.
Phantom power involves powering something from somewhere else.

[EADG]

Those Neutrik ones would work.

But consider the option of using an XLR cable?
Maybe later down the track you could use the extra conductor in the XLR cable to provide some kind of phantom power to active components inside your guitar.
Then there's no need to waste space inside the guitar for the 9V batteries, and no need to be continually opening up the gutiar in order to change 'em when they go flat.


Installing an XLR output jack into my bass? Yes, I have, but I don't think I'd do it. It seems really inconvenient. I don't really mind changing the batteries, I don't do it often.

[mfb]

AES, I'm not sure if you already knew, but if you buy a bass/guitar from Winter's Custom (owner is NavyBass on here) you can get the phantom power option.

[Peg Dizzler]

So.. Aes, you're suggesting using an XRL cable for the output jack, instead of the 1/4"? So that you could also have the option of phantom power?
That is an awesomely insanely cool awesomest idea ever. I never even though of that.

Phantom power is a standard 48v, correct? Or can you use a device to get different amounts..? So if you had active pickups, how exactly would you go about doing that?

[AG]

Phantom power is usually 48v. But when it comes to this sort of thing, you'd want 9-18v.

[moghes69]

i think jp's phantom power uses a 1/4" jack, so i think its possible to do it without an XLR cable

[AG]

You can do it with a 1/4" stereo jack and a stereo cable.

Tip = hot, Ring = +9, Sleeve = ground.

[Son of Magni]

Could you explain phantom power?
I've heard about it before, but don't know what it actually is.
Technically, phantom power is only available when you have a balanced signal, like a balanced mic with an xlr cable. The two wires of the balanced signal are both given a DC bias of 48 volts. At the other end, that 48 volts is available to power something. And since the balanced signal is transformer coupled, the DC bias magically disappears from the signal.

If an additional wire is used to supply power to a remote location, like using a stereo cord, it is just a remote power supply, not phantom power.

There is another method of supplying power that I've been thinking about playing with. When you have an unbalanced signal like a guitar output, you can put your DC bias, like 9v to eliminate a battery, directly on the signal wire. The signal would need to be AC coupled at each end to split the signal from the DC bias. And at the receiving end of the DC power, you would need appropriate filtering to get the instrument signal off the power signal.

[Peg Dizzler]

So let me get this straight. You can use an XRL / 1/4" cable for a guitar output? And if you had active pickups, or LEDS (AG!!!), or somethin else going on, you could supply 9 or 18 volts with the XLR cable? How would you supply it if the cable was going to your guitar amp? Or is this a separate cable?

Also, wouldn't 18 volts be better? If you have two 9v batteries in a guitar with active pickups, doesn't that allow them to last longer, or have a better signal, or something like that? I forget.

[LewsTherin]

So let me get this straight. You can use an XRL / 1/4" cable for a guitar output? And if you had active pickups, or LEDS (AG!!!), or somethin else going on, you could supply 9 or 18 volts with the XLR cable? How would you supply it if the cable was going to your guitar amp? Or is this a separate cable?

Also, wouldn't 18 volts be better? If you have two 9v batteries in a guitar with active pickups, doesn't that allow them to last longer, or have a better signal, or something like that? I forget.


Yes, you can supply power via your cable. With an active circuit, your cable is what completes the circuit to turn power on in the first place, so you could run current on one part of it, and itd power the circuit.

Youd have to have a special preamp/power box between your guitar and your amp. Obviously, a regular amp couldnt supply the power.


More voltage usually equates to more headroom, meaning cleaner signal.

[mfb]

^More headroom is the main reason.


EDIT: Completely pawned by Lewstherin.:upset:

[Son of Magni]

So let me get this straight. You can use an XRL / 1/4" cable for a guitar output? And if you had active pickups, or LEDS (AG!!!), or somethin else going on, you could supply 9 or 18 volts with the XLR cable? How would you supply it if the cable was going to your guitar amp? Or is this a separate cable?

Also, wouldn't 18 volts be better? If you have two 9v batteries in a guitar with active pickups, doesn't that allow them to last longer, or have a better signal, or something like that? I forget.
You can't just plug an unbalanced signal into an xlr cable and magically have a balanced signal. You would need to transformer couple your signal inside the guitar to convert it to a balanced signal. Then add the circuitry at both ends to support phantom power. Once you've done that, then yes, you can provide whatever power you want to power your active electronics and LEDs. In order to comply with standards, you would probably want to stick with 48v and regulate down in the guitar to whatever voltage you want.

[Aes820]

So.. Aes, you're suggesting using an XRL cable for the output jack, instead of the 1/4"? So that you could also have the option of phantom power?
That is an awesomely insanely cool awesomest idea ever. I never even though of that.

Phantom power is a standard 48v, correct? Or can you use a device to get different amounts..? So if you had active pickups, how exactly would you go about doing that?
You could use a 1/4" TRS plug to also provide phantom power to your guitar as well. Like what moghes69 said.
But the reason why I originally suggested an XLR conector is that they 'lock-in' and are alot more secure than 1/4" plugs.

If I were to try out this phantom power thing I would just use a little box inbetween the guitar and the amp with provision to plug in one of those AC power adaptor things into.

[AG]

To be perfectly honest, it sound cool, but in real life you don't wanna be lugging around a special cable, supply box, adaptor and then another guitar cable with you everywhere, then having to plug into the mains when you wanna play.

Batteries are fine and dandy.

[Peg Dizzler]

Thanks guys, that clears it up alot. The idea of using an XRL cable sounded good to me too, because they lock. But then when I realized you could run phantom power through it too, if you had active pups, then there'd be no need for a battery. I think I'll try this sometime.

Is there any other advantage to the XLR cable? There's no difference in quality or anything, right?

[Son of Magni]

Thanks guys, that clears it up alot. The idea of using an XRL cable sounded good to me too, because they lock. But then when I realized you could run phantom power through it too, if you had active pups, then there'd be no need for a battery. I think I'll try this sometime.

Is there any other advantage to the XLR cable? There's no difference in quality or anything, right?
You can run a balanced signal much greater distances without picking up noise. This is because both sides of the signal pick up the same noise, which is then cancelled because it's a differential signal. I imagine this is why it's the standard for mics since it's such a weak signal to begin with.

[LewsTherin]

EDIT: Completely pawned by Lewstherin.:upset:


lol.....pawned. I wish I could trade you in for money.

[EADG]

Thanks guys, that clears it up alot. The idea of using an XRL cable sounded good to me too, because they lock. But then when I realized you could run phantom power through it too, if you had active pups, then there'd be no need for a battery. I think I'll try this sometime.

Is there any other advantage to the XLR cable? There's no difference in quality or anything, right?


I use a mic cable with 1/4" ends. The difference (in simplest terms) is that instrument cable has one wire inside, mic cable has two. This way you get twice as much wire to connect to the 1/4" end. If one wire is faulty, you have a backup, where if your wire in an instrument cable screws up, you don't have one.

Edit: I forgot, some XLR cables (including Neutrik, which I use) have a clamp inside that holds the wire to the end. This way, it can hold more strain without breaking than a 1/4", which break somewhat easily if you aren't careful with them.