| Author | Message | ||
| hodge
New Username: hodge Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2002 |
the jack socket on my 20th anniversary bass has developed a fault.can anyone tell me which type it is and what parts are required to repair it.. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 190 Registered: 7-2003 |
I had to replace mine last year. I ordered a new one from Alembic. I believe they are @ $22 for the new jack. Yow! Note: I got mine to work reasonably well by bending the center contact forward toward the middle, but it would still mess up and distort badly sometimes, when I moved around. Therefore, I just replaced the jack and all is well in the land of bass. also note that this is a metric jack and probably unadvisable to replace with anything except one exactly like the original. Got a soldering iron? Do not forget to mark the wires before removing, so you 100% get them right when resoldering. There are too many that must be removed and resoldered to leave to memory. Go to the support page and ask a support question, or call Alembic and just order it over the phone - that is what I did. | ||
| essencetimestwo
Member Username: essencetimestwo Post Number: 51 Registered: 8-2003 |
I seem to have a problem when using Horizon cables with a 90 degree plug on my Essence. The signal will cut in and out if you move the cable. This doesn't happen with straight Horizon cables and doesn't happen with my 90 degree Planet Waves cable. Any thoughts? | ||
| jazzyvee
Intermediate Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 153 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi essencetimestwo, I have the same problem on my signature bass with the Planet waves cables with the bit on that is supposed to help give a better grip. The cable comes out when you move it accidentally. I've gone back to my old cable and will probably try to get a refund on the cable. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1938 Registered: 6-2000 |
We've found a number of expensive and inexpensive cables are too long or nearly too long for the totally standard Switchcraft lowest-common-denominator jacks. We've put a nylon washer over the cable connector the shorten the effective length with good results. Until 2 years ago, I never heard of a cable that wouldn't work with a standard connector, but it's more common now, since the cables have non-standard ends in many cases. Worse is that some gold-plating on connectors is done over a standard connector and they wind up being too large. It's mainly a problem for those Switchcraft side-mounted barrel jacks, you can feel it grinding as you plug in. Like nails on a chalkboard! You'll probably have a better grip and fit with one of our new jacks. If is in a black housing, you've got one of the older ones. We've fully converted to a custom-made Switchcraft with welded silver contacts for the face-mounted jacks. They are physically much larger than the original ones, so in some installations, you might have to undercut the cavity some to get it to fit properly. You can always post a picture of your cavity and I'll let you know if I think it will be a problem. | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 193 Registered: 7-2003 |
I have a Monster cable Pro 1000 that does just what Mica says, "Worse is that some gold-plating on connectors is done over a standard connector and they wind up being too large. It's mainly a problem for those Switchcraft side-mounted barrel jacks, you can feel it grinding as you plug in. Like nails on a chalkboard!" This is not only in my 20th Anniversary (Which is a stereo jack, not the one mentioned), but my other basses as well (Which are the type mentioned). My Zaolla cables have gold ends and fit perfectly, no problems at all. I just quit using the Monster cable. What a waste. | ||
| frank_orlando
Member Username: frank_orlando Post Number: 54 Registered: 8-2002 |
I am using the Monster Bass Performer 500 in all of my basses including 2 Alembics. My essence has the new jack installed and my custom has the original square plastic Switchcraft.... no fit or grinding problems at all when inserting the cable end. Ditto for my other basses. I have both the straight and 90 with gold ends. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 208 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Frank. It is possible that I got an irregular plug on 90 degree end (Probable, taking what you said into account). The straight end fits no problem. When thousands of an item are made, statistically you will get an irregular or two in the bunch. However, at the price paid, one is enough. Besides, I really am sold on the Zaolla cables now. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 511 Registered: 9-2003 |
PNigel: I've got a 500 series Monster ("Jazz" actually) w/straight 1/4" males and I have no problem with any of my instruments, including the new Alembic with the mondo side-mount jack. Monster's stuff is guaranteed for life...send it back and get it replaced gratis. It may clear up the problem. Try the straight end and let us all know. I've wanted to buy the 1000series or similar MIT for some time, but the cheap b*stard in me refuses to pay MSRP for anything. I'm still shopping for "the price", LOL! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 219 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey thanks Kevin! I bought it on the Internet and no warranty paperwork came with it - that I noticed, anyway. It came with a lot of other stuff, so I probably left it in the box - silly me! I went to their site and got their toll-free number, and will call tomorrow or Tuesday. Considering the straight end fits fine and the right-angled one definitely does not, I would think they will happily replace it as a defective product. I'll post the results when the new cord arrives in a few weeks - hopefully. | ||
| willie
Junior Username: willie Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2003 |
I was using a Monster Studio Pro 1000 instrument cable & all monster interconnect cables in my rack & was having a problem from the 1000. Mica told me about a size problem with the Monster cable jacks so i got in touch with them & they agreed to replace all my cables. Since then I bought 2 more Studio Pro 1000 12' instrument cables & can't use either one with my Essence without a popping sound as if you pulled the cable out of the bass. Not to good for the speakers when using 3000 Watts of amps. Neither of these cables causes a problem with my Europa though. I'm wondering if I should send these 2 cables to be replaced or is something different with the jack in the Essence. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Willie | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 517 Registered: 9-2003 |
My 500 series pops as well during removal and insertion. It may be inherent in the bass. I tried changing the battery with the thing plugged in and the volume on (not high) and it popped when I plugged the battery in. Remember, you are turning the active circuitry in the thing on when you plug in the cable. Moral of the story is make sure your amp is muted or the vol is all the way down before plug removal/insertion. BTW, Most of the high-end cables are guaranteed for life, but Monster has a walk-in-to-any-dealer-and-exchange-on-the-spot-no-questions-asked policy that I like. The only problem is trying to find a dealer that stocks Series 1000 cables! | ||
| willie
Junior Username: willie Post Number: 39 Registered: 11-2003 |
kmh364 I always turn my amp all the way down, then unplug cable from amp, then unplug cable from bass to eliminate any pops from amp. the problem with the 2 new cables is they make the popping sound while I'm playing as if I had pulled the plug out of the bass with the amp still turned up. So something is happening right at the jack of the bass that makes the amp think the cable was pulled out of the bass. I think 1 of the most annoying things is when someone pulls the cable out of their instrument while its still plugged into the amp and you hear that loud pop or cracking sound. I know quite a few guitar players who never turn down their amp but pull the cable out of the guitar so they can plug the cable from their tuner into the guitar and then make all kinds of noise trying to re-insert the cable thats still plugged into the amp that is still turned up back into the guitar. I think the problem I'm having is the fit of the cable into the jack of the Essence. Willie | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 220 Registered: 7-2003 |
Willie. It sounds like the center conductor of your jack is not making a firm connection with the tip of the cable's plug. Take the back plate off your Essence and manually, gently bend the center connector so that it covers more of the hole. Then try the cable with your amp on. If that does not do the trick, hit a shop, if you want to use those pricey cables. I doubt it is a loose wire, as it would do it with all your cables then. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 520 Registered: 9-2003 |
Sounds like what Mica is talking about. It may have to deal with the gold plating or the tolerance of the plug, or it could be the tolerance of the jack in the bass as well. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1946 Registered: 6-2000 |
Be very gentle when you flex that conductor - the metal is not very thick and you can break it off. A small nudge may be enough, so err on the side of over gentle and repeat if necessary. The Switchcraft L113 jacks we used forever on the mono instruments used to be hand-tuned at the factory. They are no longer, which prompted us to convert to the new style. If your jack has a black housing on the inside, it's the L113. If tuning the conductor doesn't work, I'll have to see a picture of the cavity to check if the new larger jack will fit in your Essence, Willie. | ||
| frank_orlando
Member Username: frank_orlando Post Number: 55 Registered: 8-2002 |
I installed one of the new jacks in my 2001 Essence. All I had to do is bend the soldering lugs on the new jack down at a 90 degree angle to allow the cavity cover to fit correctly. It works great and has not popped since. Frank | ||
| hodge
New Username: hodge Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
thanks, everyone. my guitar tech. has replaced the jack socket.and solved the problem. | ||
| willie
Junior Username: willie Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks everybody, I'll check that jack out. I did have a problem once with the jack on my Spoiler/Exploiter & ended up replacing that jack which solved the problem. That bass was alot older than the Essence is. If it turns to be the jack I'll replace it but I never had a problem with this bass until I got those 2 new cables. I'll let you know, Thanks again. Willie | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 237 Registered: 7-2003 |
Monster Cable users. I called Monster Cable and went through the RMA process. To my surprise, not only are they replacing the cable for free, but they are giving me another, "cause you had troubles, and we want to make sure you are a happy customer." Well, as a matter of fact, I am now happy before I even have the new cable. I'm impressed! I think I had better give these people another chance. It is hard to find good customer service these days. | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 306 Registered: 3-2004 |
I bought some speaker cable from monster several years ago when I was gigging more frequently and running a larger rig. At the time, I was running an SM900 head to power a pair of Boogie cabs (1x15 and 2x10). Well, The first gig at which I used them was the Oracle east coast corporate christmas party, and one of them failed on me in a big way. We got set up and went to sound check, and it smoked the whole head. They were a little careless in handling the ends of one of the cables and there were several strands hanging out that shorted across. I played the gig direct through the PA and survived, and Monster then paid for the repair to the amp as well as sending me new cables. These guys are serious about standing behind their products. -Bob | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 539 Registered: 9-2003 |
Monster was one of the first, if not the first, high-end cable manufacturers in the Hi-Fi arena. Noel Lee (founder) who started an indusry in itself, has branched out into many areas, and has made A LOT of money over the past three decades. I guess he can afford to be charitable, LOL! I have personally donated a lot of dosh into his coffers over the years. (Message edited by kmh364 on September 29, 2004) | ||
| lbpesq
Junior Username: lbpesq Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2004 |
I sure hope Monster stands strongly behind their "products". They just bought the naming rights to San Francisco's Candlestick Park, now "Monster Park", and the 49ers (American football team to those who don't follow such things) who play there need all the help they can get! Bill, the guitar (but, alas, not the Super Bowl) one | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 541 Registered: 9-2003 |
Can you buy Monster Cable at Monster Park...or just Monster Pretzels and Monster Beer for Monster Prices? LOL! Sorry, I couldn't resist. Anybody figure-out where to buy Monster 1000 series guitar cables and speaker cables for less than MSRP yet? | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 309 Registered: 3-2004 |
Bass NW had a sale on Monster when I was there, not sure about ordering in stuff that's not in stock, though. Give them a call. |
