1/4 Jack Tone differences(?!)

Music&Chaos

Music&Chaos

Well-known member
Hello all,

Went to replace the 1/4 jack on my cabinet due to the old one looking a bit rough due to the previous wiring from the factory (They had a built in attenuator installed that was always slightly in the circuit that I had to remove).

Was just going to buy one when I thought about the various options available.

I found this comparison on YT and almost could not believe my ears.

They actually sound different??

I did not think between the same metals and style of jack, there would be this much of a tonal difference heard.....

What say ye, RigTalk??



 
I can hear the differences in that clip but they've been tested in a fuzz pedal which presents a high impedance scenario. Those differences are far less likely to be audible in a much lower impedance case such as for the speaker level loads.
And I'd like to mention, just because it will bother some to no end, that I recently had a couple of my guitars outfitted with Analysis Plus Qijacks (output jacks). Now, both guitars had new pots and some new wiring done as well but they do sound better now (more fidelity is the best description) with a slightly lower noise floor too.
 
i think we just hit a new low. soooo jacks change tone now

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At one point in time many moons ago, this rabbit hole is something that I might have explored. God knows I have dove headfirst into many others. Today, not so much.
 
I did some experimenting and.....

The slight roundness I was trying to dial out of my amp is gone after switching away from the Cliff style jack I was using.

I tried a gold jack lying around, but it does what gold always does to the sound and I dislike it.

Something about the way I do harmonics and gold connectors, or apparently now jacks, cancel eachother out. I am left with this weird scratchy shriek instead of a juicy screaming harmonic.

Found another Nickel switchcraft style jack and soldered it in.

Much more bright and open.

Way easier to hear the detail as compared to the Cliff.

I have the standard Switchcraft #11 on the way now to be installed and left in, I am certain.

The top end stays very present but nice and pleasant thanks to the AV75s.

If you are seeking to dial in/out a specific sound from a cabinet - like maybe it sounds a bit round, check the jack it is using and see if it is a Cliff style!
 
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