F*#king 1/4" phone plugs!

[George61]

I built a Trainwreck Rocket about a year ago. From day one it has had an intermittent crackling noise. The amp is OK but I like the 36W TMB variant of a Marshall 18W that I built better so the Trainwreck got stuffed in a corner and forgotten about.

I am off of work this week so I decided to work on the Trainwreck. I poked and tapped everywhere and discovered that the problem seemed to be coming from the 1/4" input jack. Apparently the switch that grounds the input with nothing plugged in wasn't completely breaking with a guitar cord plugged in. I bent the contact slightly and cleaned it with Deoxit and now the amp works fine.

This is not the first time I have a problem with a Switchcraft connector. So far I haven't had any problems with Cliff jacks.

Solder on,
George

[Scumback Speakers]

I've had this exact problem with Switchcraft since they started building in Mexico years ago. I switched to Cliff jacks because of it. Now I only use the Switchcraft jacks if I have to.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I clean new jacks on installation, & DeOxit too. Never a problem.

Switchraft yes typical corrosion problem when they get to be 30, 40, 50, 60 years old but they usually respond to a simple cleaning. Same with Cliffs.

Beware there ARE counterfeits & lookalikes not printed with the company name.

[gui_tarzan]

Have you written to SwitchCraft to let them know? Some manufacturers do respond to customers, especially if there is a quality issue they can fix without spending money. I've written and/or called companies for years and most of them are very cooperative.

Switchcraft, Inc.
5555 N Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
USA map

Phone: 773-792-2700
Fax: 773-792-2129
Email: sales@switchcraft.com

Customer Service hours:
7:30am-4:00pm CST M-F

[Reeltarded]

Just copy and paste this thread. Maybe they'll use it in a Domino's commercial.

[randalp3000]

I've had some issues with a couple of my cables where the 1/4" plugs diameter was on the small side and the contacts would not open up.

Dr Z switched to a different style awhile back because he was having problems also.

[SWC]

@George61: Are you sure these are actually Switchcraft products? If you'd like, please PM me and we can exchange information. I'd be happy to exchange them if they are, in fact, defective Switchcraft products. We most definitely do not make junk.

@Southbay Ampworks: We have not manufactured in Mexico for over 20 years. Our plant is still manufacturing the highest quality products at our Chicago headquarters.

@Leo_Gnardo: Our products are warrantied for life, so if they do go bad, we will replace or repair based on our standard warranty. And you are correct, there are many counterfeits out there.

@gui_tarzan: Thanks for providing our contact info and suggesting to contact us. We do respond to these inquiries, and in some case, respond directly to such posts.

@Reeltarded: Funny post, but we do not make junk to begin with and have very few issues with customer satisfaction.

@randalp3000: It is not uncommon for products, especially counterfeits, to be out of spec and not mate properly. We work very hard to ensure our products meet strict specifications.

[xtian]

WOW! Customer service on the line! Welcome!

[jelle]

Happy Switchcraft user here. Good to see that Switchcraft cares and actually responds publicly.

And if a male plug is used that does not meet the specs for thickness, how can it adequately open a shorting jack female part?

I use Neutrik and Switchcraft male plugs and have seen zero issues with not opening the shorting part of the female jack.

I have seen the newer shorting jacks not short adequately due to corrosion. The vintage ones from the 60s and 70s do not have this issue. I do wonder why the newer jacks corrode sooner than the older ones. Why is that?

[sixstringer]

My guess is that the older "jacks" have more experience and are just better at making contact with the sweet spot. Also, there is a lot more "corrosion" out there these days and the newer jacks have to deal with that. I'm just sayin...

BTW, I like Switchcraft products.

[randalp3000]

@George61: Are you sure these are actually Switchcraft products? If you'd like, please PM me and we can exchange information. I'd be happy to exchange them if they are, in fact, defective Switchcraft products. We most definitely do not make junk.

@Southbay Ampworks: We have not manufactured in Mexico for over 20 years. Our plant is still manufacturing the highest quality products at our Chicago headquarters.

@Leo_Gnardo: Our products are warrantied for life, so if they do go bad, we will replace or repair based on our standard warranty. And you are correct, there are many counterfeits out there.

@gui_tarzan: Thanks for providing our contact info and suggesting to contact us. We do respond to these inquiries, and in some case, respond directly to such posts.

@Reeltarded: Funny post, but we do not make junk to begin with and have very few issues with customer satisfaction.

@randalp3000: It is not uncommon for products, especially counterfeits, to be out of spec and not mate properly. We work very hard to ensure our products meet strict specifications.

I get them from CE so they should be legit and I still use them 90% of the time.

The 1/4" plugs I've had issues with have all been George L's, some work and some don't. Time to pull out the calipers.

[roknroll]

Never had an issue ever from a switchcraft 1/4" input jack

[Blackburn]

I get them from CE so they should be legit and I still use them 90% of the time.

Same here. Never had an issue and can't imagine anyone else having one with basic open circuit or tip shunt varieties. There was one in the back of my 70s Ampeg V4 cab that had lost its tension. I simply bent it back into shape and it was good as new, just with a bit of patina. Great jacks, the best.

[gktamps]

I recently had a Switchcraft shunt tip input jack which lost tension the first time I plugged in a jack. Bending it back didn't help - both the shunt contact spring and the tip contact spring appeared to be improperly tempered, so there was not enough spring memory.

[Reeltarded]

I have had a couple jist like that. I never considered the brand to be junk, just a couple of pieces.

Much better record than say.. KFC.