Help me unscrew this!

giovanni

giovanni

Well-known member
My guitar jack is shorting out, causing noise. I was planning to open it up and resolder it but I ran into a bit of a snag. I don’t have a tool to unscrew this thing (notice the little scratch I caused by trying with needle nose pliers 😕):

IMG_3481.jpeg

What tool do I need?!?
 
Is there no access inside?
I've had a couple that I had to desolder then use a deepwell socket.
Vice grips or the like to hold the outside steady while the socket breaks the nut inside.
 
I looked it up. Barrel jack. I have no idea how to access to the lugs. I really don’t want to have to do anything destructive.
 
What’s up with the felt washer looking situation? I have no idea how to get that jack out, but I’m very curious now. Let us know when you figure it out.
 
Erik S said:
What’s up with the felt washer looking situation? I have no idea how to get that jack out, but I’m very curious now. Let us know when you figure it out.
Click to expand...
Yeah I don’t know. I have had this guitar for several years now. I may have to email the folks at G&L and ask for advice.
 
Oh shoot.G&L threaded the body!
You could probably use the tapered end of a round file, if you have one thick enough.
Or a large Philips head and a piece of rubber/leather/neoprene in the jack hole for grip.
But I'd go ahead and order a new jack. Though, since the body is threaded, you'll want the same jack, which may require removal to ID unless you can't find good info on the web. Don't get stuck with metric threads on a chinese jack, etc.
 
if it sticks out a bit, like it looks in one of your pics, put painters tape around it to protect the body and use a pair of vise grips to twist it off. Then you could think about a different kind of jack for reinstallation so if this happens again you don't have to deal with it. Also bc the vise grips are likely to gall the sides of the jack.

edit.. nvm I watched the reamer video and that is a very elegant way of doing that. I think I got one of those from Harbor Freight a while back
 
I’m gonna get a reamer and try delicately unscrewing it. I hope I just need to resolder the lugs and I can just put it back in. I really don’t want to have to replace it if possible.
 
giovanni said:
I’m gonna get a reamer and try delicately unscrewing it. I hope I just need to resolder the lugs and I can just put it back in. I really don’t want to have to replace it if possible.
Click to expand...
Not sure that’s an option if you’re gonna hammer a reamer into the jack.
 
Considering that jack definitely hasn't moved, I doubt soldering will fix it. And you're looking at the only access to the contacts already.
A switchcraft barrel jack is only $13 at BezosBarn
 
Alright, got a reamer and unscrewed the barrel jack. Here is what I found.

Reference to remember where the two leads from the jack should go:
1748610752390.png


Weird fuzzy stuff inside the barrel...
1748610774648.png

And here's my problem: the ground connection looks pretty loose so it's probably been shorting out for a while. I have seen this kind of issue in the past (I fixed two guitars with exactly this same problem a couple months ago) so I was hoping it would be this trivial. But is it the only issue?!?
1748610855031.png

Replaced wires with fresh (and slightly thicker gauge) ones:
1748610890404.png

I just wrapped it up and tested and it works like a charm now! No further issues so no need to replace the barrel jack (for now).

Now back to work (like my job, nothing fun).
 
giovanni said:
Alright, got a reamer and unscrewed the barrel jack. Here is what I found.

Reference to remember where the two leads from the jack should go:
View attachment 96319


Weird fuzzy stuff inside the barrel...
View attachment 96320

And here's my problem: the ground connection looks pretty loose so it's probably been shorting out for a while. I have seen this kind of issue in the past (I fixed two guitars with exactly this same problem a couple months ago) so I was hoping it would be this trivial. But is it the only issue?!?
View attachment 96321

Replaced wires with fresh (and slightly thicker gauge) ones:
View attachment 96322

I just wrapped it up and tested and it works like a charm now! No further issues so no need to replace the barrel jack (for now).

Now back to work (like my job, nothing fun).
Click to expand...
I need to do the same with my 78 Tele. Fortunately I have a reamer! $10 at home depot.
 
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