Guitar - General/scratchy input jack

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Expert: Jason Fryer - 10/9/2009


Question
Hey Jason. I purchased a Randall RH300 a few years back. Ive recently noticed my signal is breaking up. When I wiggle the cord a bit by the input jack itll give me a loud scratchy sound. If I wiggle it right the signal improves. Through trial and error its not the cables, guitar, pedal,ect. Definoutly the jack. Is this an easy fix or should I bring to shop? Also is it expensive?

Answer
Hey Shannon, I'm not familiar wit that amp's topology, so I'm not sure how tricky it would be to replace the jack. If I had to venture a guess I'd say it'd probably surface mounted to a PCB, so you better have a good iron & good touch or you'll be lifting traces & then having to install jumpers. Whenever I'm fixing an amp that uses SMT, I go get a neutrik jack & run wires to the board that way you won't have the headache of trying to find the part, worrying about how many times you can replace the jack etc... If you do it yourself, it'll cost you about 10 bucks if you already have a decent soldering iron & some solder. If you bring it to the shop, it'll probably cost more like 70.00 depending where you bring it. Hope that helps, if you need anything else, just drop me a line.
Peace - J.

Guitar - General

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Jason Fryer

Expertise


I can answer any kind of question that is guitar related - from choosing the right guitar/amp for your needs, musical style & budget, to effects usage & placement, & most technical questions related to guitar set up & repair.
I do not specialize in dating or appraising vintage gear, so please don't ask me to appraise the value of your instrument.

URL: River City Junction

Experience

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years & tour regularly with my band River City Junction. We play a mix of Blues, Jazz, Funk, Motown, R&B & Classic Rock so I can help answer any questions related to these genres as well. I also have extensive experience using many different brands of guitars, amplifiers & effects. I do most of my own work on my guitars, preferring not to let anyone else touch them so unless it's a regret or something that requires an actual luthier, it's taken care of in house. I also build & repair my own pedals & tube amps, so I can help with questions of a technical nature with regards to these subjects as well.

Organizations
River CIty Junction (Guitarist)

Education/Credentials
Musician's Professional Workshop Scholarship (CHOM FM)
Vanier College (Classical Music - Guitar)
Herzing Institute (Micro-Computer Electronics)
Have taken numerous online courses in recording/engineering

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