As someone who has had multiple traditional jacks lose their spring and eventually stop working, I use PureTone exclusively when upgrading output jacks. Haven't had one fail, yet
The place where these things could make a real difference is as the speaker output jack for an amplifier. It's a high power signal connection in a high heat and high vibration environment.
Well made product that hasn't failed me at any time unlike the stock ones have. Love love pure tone jacks. I will say it hasn't improved tone but it HAS not cut out or crackle like the switch craft
I just bought the Pure Tone Jack early morning today online. Being a EE, the only reason I bought this jack is because I liked the grip of the Jack on your cable that's it.
Coincidentally just installed a pure tone jack last week. Had no idea of the "tone improvement" claims until reading it AFTER the install! I just wanted a more secure connection (I'm forever standing on my cable) which is does well. Tone sounds the same to me.
I bought one on a whim for a parts guitar I was building. I never read the marketing but I liked the double contacts. The jack is mounted in a pickguard. I decided to add some extra screws to the pickguard near the jack because this one grips so tightly! I'll definitely buy them again
Great point... You can feel these grip the cable end very securely. So, if you are using it on a guitar with a pick guard mounted output jack, like a P-Bass, you will be really stressing the material. I have seen pick guards fail cracking around the jack with a regular 2 point contact Switchcraft type jack. So, thanks for pointing that out.
I switched to PureTone jacks for my personal guitars a few years ago. I like them. No noticeable difference in tone. I like the extra reliability and the solid feel. Also, the satisfying "ca-chunk" when I insert the cable.
I bought one with the old school felt wire 2 years ago. I really like them. Added spring wrap over the solder connections just to keep snug. And no weird contact Ground issues.
I've been using Pure Tone jacks for a couple years now. No they don't 'improve' your tone, but they give the best electrical connection you can get other than hard wiring. They really give a solid symmetrical grip to the instrument plug so will probably outlast anything else. Would be difficult to bend the contact points on one unlike the single connection jack historically used.
It literally takes 5 minutes to bend it back though. I always initially bend the contact in a bit further just to make it a tighter fit. Even cheap Jack's can be good if you take this step.
I totally agree with your statement FuriousMess. I've many guitars in my collection and as such don't play all of them regularly. What I found happening is oxidation on the original output jacks. By switching all my instruments to Pure Tone I've found that the sometimes intermittent connection due to oxidation has been eliminated on all my instruments. Better reliability and more time playing are the results of my switching to the Pure Tone jacks. A great idea, wish I'd invented it!
As long as the metal contacts, it doesn't matter at all how many places it contacts at. Look at a five way switch, it has tiny flat razor thin pieces of metal at the contact points. The voltage coming from a guitar is near nothing so needs just contact, not "full contact". Just bend the contact in a bit and it will fit tighter.
Fitted one yesterday to cure intermittent (but worsening) cutting out on my Les Paul. To my surprise, the guitar now sounds better through my Fender Superchamp XD and through my headphone amp. I suspect that whatever was going wrong with the connection was also degrading the tone, and that degradation had been creeping up on me for a few months. Ie what I have done by fitting the new jack socket is to restore the sound to where it used to be. I know I had been getting a bit dissatisfied with the tone for a few weeks prior to the fitting-out problem occurring (and had even tried a few Fenders in my local guitar shop…). I really like your explanations. Very helpful. I was an electronics technician in the army many years ago, and have recently gotten back into it through servicing and rebuilding HiFi equipment. Keep up the good work!
Put one in my squire bullet , I've added several other parts . Swapping , pre loaded pick guards is fun and easy for me . I decided to replace the output jack with one of those . I had to get the pliers out , just to get my cable out .
One of the main failure modes of a standard mono jack like the switchcraft is the 'rivet' joint between the barrel section and the shield solder tab. The shield connection is entirely dependent on the mechanical contact between the barrel and shield solder tab. This rivet tends to loosen over time, which can cause crackling, and eventually loss of signal altogether. The pure tone design does not rely on the rivet joint for the shield electrical connection, so should not fail electrically in this way. You can also avoid this type of failure by using stereo jacks and connecting both the ring and the sleeve pins to the shield.
I've got Pure Tone Jacks in 3 guitars, I just like the quality construction and multiple points of contact. No idea if they make any difference in sound but, I really like their mechanical function.
Dylan, you pretty much nail the issue - HYPE. If they would just advertise it as a great replacement that offers solid connection over a traditional jack, it would 100 percent live up to its billing. The extra hype may get some to try it but also will stop many from the same and cause enough BS flags to make people steer clear when they might actually think it’s a good piece. I use them for the mechanical aspect but never had any illusion it was giving mojo tone just like many have already said here.
Dylan you are one of the best guitar tech ever, I have learned soo much from you about all aspects of guitartech and manufacture. I reference your videos when I am building my Telecaster using the best components and hardware. Thank you.
I'll probably buy them for a few of my guitars just because it's over built and would probably be trouble free! I've had a few issues with Jacks over the years, so I'm down for these.
I switched recently to Pure Tone. No tone change, of course, but man these clamp down on the cable nicely. Had stock ones and switchcraft failing me, Pure Tones are super sturdy. Time will tell if they hold up, but I am quite positive they will. Thanks for the hint!
Great video Dylan. When I explain wire gauge to people, I use water flow as my example. The wire being a funnel. It doesn't matter how much water you dump in the opening of a funnel, the same amount comes out the exit. The only way to increase the amount of water coming out, is to make the hole bigger. You can run smaller currents in a larger wire, but can't run high currents through small wires. They only become a slow-blow fuse at that point.
They have a much better cable retention than the standard type. I tried one a while back and now they’re in all of my guitars. All the other claims don’t really matter.
As a trained military electrician (retired), and a luthier and guitar builder for 14 years, I was very interested in this jack, so I bought a four pack. I still have the four pack. The "extra surface for more tone passing" is a myth, since you have the same resistance in the cable you are using which has not changed. One little more surface point in the line from the output to the amp is not going to change your total voltage difference, which he correctly points out is millivolts with almost no amperage. Nine volt battery puts out more. As far as thin wires in the conversation, just look at the wires coming out of any four wire humbucker, very, very thin. What, maybe 28 gauge or even 30 gauge wire? And the reliability issue, I am not convinced that two of the wings, (if one, you are looking at a cheap jack), neither are of the foldback style of the Switchcraft style. I also don't feel that the actual jack goes in harder, to seat itself, so more surface, myth, more reliability, maybe, maybe not, depending of how the player inserts and pulls the jack. Gimmick to me.
I put the Pure Tone in all my guitars. Apart for all the reasons already mentioned here, I find that wireless transmitters like the Line 6 Relay have a small microswitch that requires them to fit tight into the jack. With 'normal' jacks the transmitter will sometimes come loose while playing, as in not enough grip to keep the micro switch pressed all the way in. Never had this problem with the Pure Tones.
I like the pure tone jacks myself as they grip better to the male plug I don’t think it changes any tone different I know it makes a big difference in checking your plug from causing noise from cable plug .
I use a puretone jack and I will always use them on my guitars .I like the tight snug fit and no pops and crackle like on a switchcraft or some really cheap jack you find in a budget guitar
Next Episode!: Run the guitar through thinner and thinner gauge wire connections (like just an inch or two between cables) to see if/when there is a 'tone' degradation! Run it through pickup wire or even thinner stuff into an amp!
@@DylanTalksTone I think it would be worthwhile to have a jack in a vise with a couple stripped of pickup wires dangled over it to show that even a dodgy connection can work as long as there's always *some* connection, but that if the connection cuts out entirely it will sound horrible.
Higher-end Ibanez guitars have switchcraft flush mount jacks (or clones of them). They work fine, but are a bit more of a pain to replace when they do eventually wear out. They look nice though, with no visible screws or jack plate on the outside of the guitar, just a small round circle of metal.
@Stephen - It sounds like you're talking about "panel jacks". I think the Switchcraft number is "151". The long, threaded barrel type of jack. I have always had bad luck with that type of jack. That is a style of jack which would be great if it incorporated the features of the Pure Tone jack.
I was skeptical at first also so I bought 1. I had a guitar that was cutting out and one I was putting together. I put it in the one I was putting together and loved it. Everything you said I agree with. I have an amp that I am having problems with that stock jack guess what is going in there. 😀😄😁
The way you would want to test the output jacks would be to insert and pull out a plug hundreds to thousands of times and then get sound samples to look for disconnections and crackles. This would let you know if and when the connection becomes loose and which jack is the most reliable.
Yup. I wonder why the market team would spout nonsense rather than saying that 99% of the time, other jacks will sound just as good, but the times when other jacks aren't just as good they'll be obviously bad. I would think it would be better to have an ad show a musician in a concert situation where the jack gets crackly and nasty and ask if the $5 cost savings from using a cheaper jack was worth it.
Just ordered some after watching this. I have a tele where the jack is really temperamental. I’ve tried tightening it, re-soldering it, I even think I replaced it at some point. I think a jack like this will solve my problem. I need something more reliable. We’ll see.
My jacks always work loose. I have taken to installing a second nut to act as a lock nut. It works. That's the only issue I ever have with output jacks.
Thanks for the informational vid!!! I've only had one jack ever fail due to lose crackly stuff That took a while to actually bug me (Not sure why)... and that was on a 76 tele I played for 15 years but you know the jack design on the tele back then was not exactly great. It was my only guitar at the time and I plaid the heck out of it. So the normal jacks seem to work fine enough... That said, The Pure Tone looks like the improved wheel and I'll look at that for my partscaster I'm working on.. I wish they were around when I changed the one in the Tele - I still play it!! .
One advantage no one has touched on. I was doing a Strat build with an import body and an undersized jack route. Cheap jacks have 1 tab from the base side of the jack, but they're cheap. Switchcraft have 1 tab that extends beyond the plug and doubles back, these won't fit without recarving the route. Pure Tone are secure and short and work like a dream in all applications. Problem solved plus dependability.
Has anyone had the super snug contacts rip the 'tip' off the end of their connector? I know one-piece turned tips are what we all aspire to, but if you look at spare/repair pedals for example - there seems to be many instances where the plugs gives up the tip inside the socket - which is an easier fix on an open frame socket, but not something I want to encourage happening.
Questions: Does the Pure Tone jack require significantly higher insert / release force? If so, how would this affect the longevity of the jack plate / screws on a Les Paul, for example? If you accidentally step on your cable will it rip the cable from the plug rather than simply pull out the plug?
They require a bit more force to push in and pull out the jack, but not so much that you're going to break the physical connection to the body. If you stepped on the cable and wrenched it out I'd say the same, only that you have a greater chance you might stay connected at the guitar.
Yes, that is a problem to me, so i got back to switch craft for guitars where pick guard bends much and all force is coming to one screw (p bass for instance).
Yes they do. Which means the surroundings of these jacks will take a hit, in the long run. If not everything on your guitar is made of stainless steel, and sturdy built at that. Including body.
My control plate flexes, because I cut it out of an old vinyl LP record. I hold two fingertips down on either side of the output jack, while pulling it out with the other hand, but I have done that since I installed the vinyl plate, even when using the factory Fender jack. I could add a couple more screws on the sides if I really wanted added stability in the middle.
We (Somnium Guitars) used the Pure Tone jacks for a while but started having troubles with the wiring tabs actually shorting out. We found that the tabs can be moved into proper position, but the movement was a big no no. Maybe a bad batch but hey. We changed to QiJacks and these things are great once you get used to having to push the jack in firmer.
When I first saw an ad for the Pure Tone jack, it took me no longer than a second to think, "BULLS- IT, the current from an electric guitar is very, very, very small (actually around 0.78V of AC which is just a bit more than 3/4ths of a volt). Accordingly, the guitar's output jack does not have to transfer much current and accordingly it does not have to be "hefty" or be made of materials beyond that of which it is already made. In other words, the jacks we have always had are just F'ing fine. Yes, all of that in a second. I know that you feel that the Pure Tone jack will be more reliable. Well, so it might. However, I have a '52 Telecaster that has been played from here to Sunday for, lo, all of these 70+ years. It has its original Leo Fender cheapskate jack in it and it has never failed. I also have a truly beat up, hammered and abused but lovingly-played-for-thousands-of--hours '62 Strat and the same applies. So, how "reliable" do these F'ing things need to be, anyway? Do I really need to buy this thing, get out my handy-dandy Stew-Mac guitar jack wrench and my low wattage "working on guitar stuff" soldering gun, rosin core ultra-thin silver solder, etc. remove a perfectly fine working $200+ vintage guitar jack and install this perfectly fine working one? Just asking..
I have been installing Pure Tone in all of my guitars and recommending them to all my customers as an upgrade to their Switchcraft output jacks. For someone who plays a lot while sitting on the couch , these jacks are awesome as they eliminate cable popping when a contact is momentarily broken
Bought a 2pack of these, had to see what all the hub-bub was. 0% change in tone. I liked how much metal was actually in contact with the phone plug. After using them in 2 of my basses for a few months now I will say I think they grab too tight. It's more force to plug/unplug a cord. This force just feels different. The #11 switchcraft we all know has a nice satisfying snap sound when the cord is in. These puretones are more of a "wow, did I really push that hard?" every time. Also the threaded ends are longer. To get the flush look I wanted on my P-bass the jack was low enough into the body that the tip of the phone jack was hitting the shielding and sending all my signal to ground. So in the end, are these necessary? As a bassist, I've only ever had stereo barrel jacks go bad on me not Switchcraft #11s. Don't fix what ain't broke?
Why is there an unnecessarily high voltage in advertising? I remember the news from my childhood of a guitarist getting a deadly electric shock through a guitar cable. In the case of powerful lamp amplifiers, the same 500V figure acts as the final supply voltage. Legends persist for decades ...
Realistically, most marketing claims aren't 100% truthful, but as far as this jack goes, like you said it's very reliable compared to the switchcraft. Thanks for the video.
I get the less crackle thing because of the better clamping but better tone? Meh, that's pushing it. I've long used stereo jack sockets for mono guitar jacks with the extra contact wired for ground. More contact for ground and extra stability. I've been doing this for 45 years. I hate wobbly jack sockets and stereo sockets were my answer to that issue with guitar leads. This is the first I'm hearing about these Puretone sockets. When my stereo ones need changing I might give them a try.
I have the Pure Tone Jack in my Telecaster and I must say, the only thing that I like about it is the sucure physical connection....that's it. It doesn't make my gutiar sound any better. I like the reliability of the connection. You really feel how secure it is when you pull the cable off your guitar.
Can confirm. I just switched to Pure Tone output jack. It took me about 5 minutes. Most of the time was just removing my control plate and heating up my soldering iron. The signal is very good with much less crackle and hum.
I use them in all my guitars. No they don’t make it sound better, but the extra arms/sleeves make it more reliable. It doesn’t get bent and then not make good contact. The extra arms/sleeves make a more reliable Jack. That’s the only reason I use them. I like reliability.
It's not a tone improver for sure. But its solid, I like it, it fits better. The standard jack is from 1940's telephone exchanges for God's sake . Also avoids oxidisation at single point and sometimes crud buggers jacks up, voltage current bla bla, is all crap as Dylan says ..... Switchcraft ..... No big deal for jack's but great switches. As for Gravity cable why bother? It's such low voltages anything will do. Guys, on a LP there are 4 braided cables to control cavity, ground exposed (braid). Look for some 2/3/4 core shielded cable ..... I did a LP with 1 x 3 core shielded and a single ground from the switch to jack. No folding braided cable out of the way, shrink-wrap etc .only reason that braided cable is used is that it's all they had in the 50s, shield/ground not insulated creating potential for shorts in control cavity. Oops, got carried away sorry guys! I just get tired of the hype about cable types, you're paying more for less efficiency. It's kind of neat. Yes you have to get the individual cables pulled out of the main outside insulation but they're individually insulated .....
A similar result can be obtained by using a Switchcraft TRS/"stereo" jack. Tie the ring to ground. Now you have a more secure connection (multiple pressure points from different angles) and multiple ground contact points.
one of my guitars, a cheap strat copy from the late 70s has its original cheapo bent metal output. Ithe puretone still works in 40 years, it will have equalled it
Some is good. More is better. 🤷🤣 I have them in my guitars only because I was upgrading from import jacks and they were around the same price as a Switchcraft. So why not? They seem to be quality jacks. I've had no issues with mine and they have a secure connection to the cable. I'm now stuck on whether I should have jacks that hold the cable tight so it stays in the jack if I trip over the cable and rips the guitar off the wall. Or do I want jacks that the cable slides in and out of easily so the cable will pull straight out of the guitar if I trip over the cable instead of yanking it completely off the wall lol
Hi thank you for your video I just want to ask. Say for stereo out put jack. Two hot two ground simple. But if i divert extra two hot out put( I shoulder extra wire from same hot out put) and shoulder on to mono jack where I attach both hot and both ground to a mono jack will it work. I am trying to build two pick up system for my guitar where I can have both mono and stereo out put on same guitar. Please help and advise. Thank you in advance.
I love this product, but HATE the marketing and the name! I have an Epi LP that used to crackle so much that I got an endorsement offer from Kellogg's Rice Crispies. I tried a couple of replacement jacks, and while they were both better than OE, I'd still get chord noise on stage. I bought a Pure Tone jack out of desperation - and I now have them in every guitar I own. But connectivity doesn't do a damn thing for tone! Why in the hell couldn't they just market them for the problems they actually solve?
My problem with pure tone jack is how much it grabs the connector. When i disconnect it, pick guard is bending much, and this puts a lot of stress on nearby screw, and pulls it out so much . Especially on pick guards and plates with only one screw near the jack (p bass)
Am I the only one who found it very difficult to unplug from this jack? I felt like I had to fight with it every time. I was using a quality Lava cable. I eventually sold that guitar anyway but I chose not to install anymore of these jacks in my other guitars.
Good job of covering an obviously better jack. There is too much being professed in their "marketing" but the jacks are a better product than the typical jack.
I'm curious, how is the feel of the jack? Not that it really matters much, but does it feel like pulling a tooth trying to get the cable out since it has the tighter fit with more contact points or is it about the same as a standard jack? I would guess that it's a bit stiffer but not anything crazy
I don't notice as many pops when I plug into my guitar if I'm switching from one guitar to another on a hot amp. Maybe I'm just not noticing them but I swear it doesnt do it nearly as much with Puretone jacks.
I use $4 ripoffs of the PureTone jacks solely for retention. I like the positive locked feeling they have. But I haven't noticed any tonal difference at all
I like the QiJack by Analysis Plus better. Will it give you “better tone”? Nope. Is it much more reliable and WAY less prone to failure than a Switchcraft or other jacks? You betcha! Basically, it should be the last output jack you ever have to put in your guitar.
@David Wang Yeah, I would take the pure tone any day over the Qijack. Then again, I’m really a fan of Daddario’s geo tip jacks(one cable fitting any jack well) and traditional inputs that I just clean once in awhile 👌🏻 Take care!
Hey Dylan. I know you know your stuff, but just a minor thing I wanted to disagree on / highlight ; pickup voltages On my oscilloscope my passive pickups put out anywhere from 1-2V (normally) to I think the highest I’ve seen is a little over 4V (Seymour Duncan Invader). This doesn’t dispute your claims of the 500V increased current rating being dumb for this application, just saying I’ve seen for sure over a volt out of some pickups.
Off topic a little.. I have question. Looking for solid state combo amp with 2x10 speakers.. Also with switch craft inputs and CTS style pots that are not attached or mounted to the circuit board??? Reason? Easy to replace Jack's and pots. Dylan you have any suggestions on that? I need it to be gig worthy and also bedroom friendly... Also sound great. 🙋♂️
As someone who has had multiple traditional jacks lose their spring and eventually stop working, I use PureTone exclusively when upgrading output jacks. Haven't had one fail, yet
I recommend these to everyone who. Comes to me for a new jack. More contact points and tighter fit means less chance of crackle. Its a win win
The place where these things could make a real difference is as the speaker output jack for an amplifier. It's a high power signal connection in a high heat and high vibration environment.
100% agree with this, not to mention the input jack of the amp!
I love these jacks! I was sceptical for a long time, but after trying them, I switched to them in all my stuff. I've never had a failure with these.
Just well made, that's it.
Thats plenty. I outfitted all my guitars. They work
Well made product that hasn't failed me at any time unlike the stock ones have. Love love pure tone jacks. I will say it hasn't improved tone but it HAS not cut out or crackle like the switch craft
This is all I care about and why I bought five of them instantly when I found out they existed.
I just bought the Pure Tone Jack early morning today online. Being a EE, the only reason I bought this jack is because I liked the grip of the Jack on your cable that's it.
It’s high quality
You can wire a TRS/Stereo jack with the ring tied to ground and get a similar result.
@@jdkimple better yet, a pure tone stereo jack.
@@jdkimple Only if you can somehow avoid generic stereo jack made with chinesium alloy that would become loose after few weeks.
@@Envinite Agreed. I was thinking Switchcraft but did not say that much. Good call.
Coincidentally just installed a pure tone jack last week. Had no idea of the "tone improvement" claims until reading it AFTER the install! I just wanted a more secure connection (I'm forever standing on my cable) which is does well. Tone sounds the same to me.
I bought one on a whim for a parts guitar I was building. I never read the marketing but I liked the double contacts. The jack is mounted in a pickguard. I decided to add some extra screws to the pickguard near the jack because this one grips so tightly! I'll definitely buy them again
Great point... You can feel these grip the cable end very securely. So, if you are using it on a guitar with a pick guard mounted output jack, like a P-Bass, you will be really stressing the material. I have seen pick guards fail cracking around the jack with a regular 2 point contact Switchcraft type jack. So, thanks for pointing that out.
I switched to PureTone jacks for my personal guitars a few years ago. I like them. No noticeable difference in tone. I like the extra reliability and the solid feel. Also, the satisfying "ca-chunk" when I insert the cable.
It’s a nice luxury item. I like it
I bought one with the old school felt wire 2 years ago. I really like them. Added spring wrap over the solder connections just to keep snug. And no weird contact Ground issues.
I've been using Pure Tone jacks for a couple years now. No they don't 'improve' your tone, but they give the best electrical connection you can get other than hard wiring. They really give a solid symmetrical grip to the instrument plug so will probably outlast anything else. Would be difficult to bend the contact points on one unlike the single connection jack historically used.
It literally takes 5 minutes to bend it back though. I always initially bend the contact in a bit further just to make it a tighter fit. Even cheap Jack's can be good if you take this step.
@@doknox if you want to keep bending it back, sure.
I totally agree with your statement FuriousMess. I've many guitars in my collection and as such don't play all of them regularly.
What I found happening is oxidation on the original output jacks. By switching all my instruments to Pure Tone I've found that the sometimes intermittent connection due to oxidation has been eliminated on all my instruments.
Better reliability and more time playing are the results of my switching to the Pure Tone jacks.
A great idea, wish I'd invented it!
@@doknox in the middle of a big boy show? Um no thanks.
As long as the metal contacts, it doesn't matter at all how many places it contacts at. Look at a five way switch, it has tiny flat razor thin pieces of metal at the contact points. The voltage coming from a guitar is near nothing so needs just contact, not "full contact". Just bend the contact in a bit and it will fit tighter.
sure, but if one contact point gets gummed up you have redundancy, so less failure.
Well made and securely holds your jack in place, plus it’s gotta a built in back up. Definitely worth it.
Amps and pedals need these!!!!
Fitted one yesterday to cure intermittent (but worsening) cutting out on my Les Paul. To my surprise, the guitar now sounds better through my Fender Superchamp XD and through my headphone amp. I suspect that whatever was going wrong with the connection was also degrading the tone, and that degradation had been creeping up on me for a few months. Ie what I have done by fitting the new jack socket is to restore the sound to where it used to be. I know I had been getting a bit dissatisfied with the tone for a few weeks prior to the fitting-out problem occurring (and had even tried a few Fenders in my local guitar shop…).
I really like your explanations. Very helpful. I was an electronics technician in the army many years ago, and have recently gotten back into it through servicing and rebuilding HiFi equipment. Keep up the good work!
Put one in my squire bullet , I've added several other parts . Swapping , pre loaded pick guards is fun and easy for me . I decided to replace the output jack with one of those . I had to get the pliers out , just to get my cable out .
One of the main failure modes of a standard mono jack like the switchcraft is the 'rivet' joint between the barrel section and the shield solder tab. The shield connection is entirely dependent on the mechanical contact between the barrel and shield solder tab. This rivet tends to loosen over time, which can cause crackling, and eventually loss of signal altogether. The pure tone design does not rely on the rivet joint for the shield electrical connection, so should not fail electrically in this way. You can also avoid this type of failure by using stereo jacks and connecting both the ring and the sleeve pins to the shield.
Hey Dylan I just scored 3 cables from Runway very cool, one 10ft and two 15 footers. Thanks a million man!
I love the pure tone jack. It prevents my Fender Mustang Micro from swiveling all over the place.
Your channel has grown on me. Great content. Thanks for this video Dylan.
Excellent examination of how current and conductors interact. Thanks man, I love what you do.
I've got Pure Tone Jacks in 3 guitars, I just like the quality construction and multiple points of contact. No idea if they make any difference in sound but, I really like their mechanical function.
Dylan, you pretty much nail the issue - HYPE. If they would just advertise it as a great replacement that offers solid connection over a traditional jack, it would 100 percent live up to its billing. The extra hype may get some to try it but also will stop many from the same and cause enough BS flags to make people steer clear when they might actually think it’s a good piece. I use them for the mechanical aspect but never had any illusion it was giving mojo tone just like many have already said here.
Dylan you are one of the best guitar tech ever, I have learned soo much from you about all aspects of guitartech and manufacture. I reference your videos when I am building my Telecaster using the best components and hardware. Thank you.
I'll probably buy them for a few of my guitars just because it's over built and would probably be trouble free! I've had a few issues with Jacks over the years, so I'm down for these.
Thorough explanation and review of these products, thanks for your work!
Awesome explanation. i started using them a year ago with no problem but my cables were sketchy ...so thanks for the referral !!!
I switched recently to Pure Tone. No tone change, of course, but man these clamp down on the cable nicely. Had stock ones and switchcraft failing me, Pure Tones are super sturdy. Time will tell if they hold up, but I am quite positive they will. Thanks for the hint!
right on Dylen I'm glad I found you today on this topic.
Don't expect a tonal change. It's just a more stable connection. I like it!
Great video Dylan. When I explain wire gauge to people, I use water flow as my example. The wire being a funnel. It doesn't matter how much water you dump in the opening of a funnel, the same amount comes out the exit. The only way to increase the amount of water coming out, is to make the hole bigger. You can run smaller currents in a larger wire, but can't run high currents through small wires. They only become a slow-blow fuse at that point.
They have a much better cable retention than the standard type. I tried one a while back and now they’re in all of my guitars. All the other claims don’t really matter.
As a trained military electrician (retired), and a luthier and guitar builder for 14 years, I was very interested in this jack, so I bought a four pack. I still have the four pack. The "extra surface for more tone passing" is a myth, since you have the same resistance in the cable you are using which has not changed. One little more surface point in the line from the output to the amp is not going to change your total voltage difference, which he correctly points out is millivolts with almost no amperage. Nine volt battery puts out more. As far as thin wires in the conversation, just look at the wires coming out of any four wire humbucker, very, very thin. What, maybe 28 gauge or even 30 gauge wire?
And the reliability issue, I am not convinced that two of the wings, (if one, you are looking at a cheap jack), neither are of the foldback style of the Switchcraft style. I also don't feel that the actual jack goes in harder, to seat itself, so more surface, myth, more reliability, maybe, maybe not, depending of how the player inserts and pulls the jack. Gimmick to me.
I put the Pure Tone in all my guitars. Apart for all the reasons already mentioned here, I find that wireless transmitters like the Line 6 Relay have a small microswitch that requires them to fit tight into the jack. With 'normal' jacks the transmitter will sometimes come loose while playing, as in not enough grip to keep the micro switch pressed all the way in. Never had this problem with the Pure Tones.
I like the pure tone jacks myself as they grip better to the male plug I don’t think it changes any tone different I know it makes a big difference in checking your plug from causing noise from cable plug .
There is the locking ones
@@davidrichard2098 you mean the ones that Gibson used in the late 2000's
What you are missing is this is a 1/4" jack. It can be used in other applications other than a guitar output jack. like a big ass speaker input jack.
I use a puretone jack and I will always use them on my guitars .I like the tight snug fit and no pops and crackle like on a switchcraft or some really cheap jack you find in a budget guitar
Next Episode!: Run the guitar through thinner and thinner gauge wire connections (like just an inch or two between cables) to see if/when there is a 'tone' degradation!
Run it through pickup wire or even thinner stuff into an amp!
All of your signal goes through pickups wires so…
@@DylanTalksTone I think it would be worthwhile to have a jack in a vise with a couple stripped of pickup wires dangled over it to show that even a dodgy connection can work as long as there's always *some* connection, but that if the connection cuts out entirely it will sound horrible.
I like these for reliability but also they fit better in strats.
These definitely work longer without having to bend the connection back. They are nice and solid.
Unfortunately no surprise about the pure tones I keep a half dozen in the shop, they work outstanding!
Great vid Dylan! Ever check out the newer DAddario’s new “geo tip” cables that I guess are meant to solve the same issue on the other end?
Higher-end Ibanez guitars have switchcraft flush mount jacks (or clones of them). They work fine, but are a bit more of a pain to replace when they do eventually wear out. They look nice though, with no visible screws or jack plate on the outside of the guitar, just a small round circle of metal.
@Stephen - It sounds like you're talking about "panel jacks". I think the Switchcraft number is "151". The long, threaded barrel type of jack.
I have always had bad luck with that type of jack. That is a style of jack which would be great if it incorporated the features of the Pure Tone jack.
@@rb032682 Yeah, that's the one, or very close to it.
I was skeptical at first also so I bought 1. I had a guitar that was cutting out and one I was putting together. I put it in the one I was putting together and loved it. Everything you said I agree with. I have an amp that I am having problems with that stock jack guess what is going in there. 😀😄😁
The way you would want to test the output jacks would be to insert and pull out a plug hundreds to thousands of times and then get sound samples to look for disconnections and crackles. This would let you know if and when the connection becomes loose and which jack is the most reliable.
Yup. I wonder why the market team would spout nonsense rather than saying that 99% of the time, other jacks will sound just as good, but the times when other jacks aren't just as good they'll be obviously bad. I would think it would be better to have an ad show a musician in a concert situation where the jack gets crackly and nasty and ask if the $5 cost savings from using a cheaper jack was worth it.
Just ordered some after watching this. I have a tele where the jack is really temperamental. I’ve tried tightening it, re-soldering it, I even think I replaced it at some point. I think a jack like this will solve my problem. I need something more reliable. We’ll see.
My jacks always work loose. I have taken to installing a second nut to act as a lock nut. It works. That's the only issue I ever have with output jacks.
Thanks for the informational vid!!! I've only had one jack ever fail due to lose crackly stuff That took a while to actually bug me (Not sure why)... and that was on a 76 tele I played for 15 years but you know the jack design on the tele back then was not exactly great. It was my only guitar at the time and I plaid the heck out of it. So the normal jacks seem to work fine enough... That said, The Pure Tone looks like the improved wheel and I'll look at that for my partscaster I'm working on.. I wish they were around when I changed the one in the Tele - I still play it!! .
I have one, it works very well but it is not an absolutely necessary component. If your original bug you or is broken go for it.
One advantage no one has touched on. I was doing a Strat build with an import body and an undersized jack route. Cheap jacks have 1 tab from the base side of the jack, but they're cheap. Switchcraft have 1 tab that extends beyond the plug and doubles back, these won't fit without recarving the route. Pure Tone are secure and short and work like a dream in all applications. Problem solved plus dependability.
Ah man… I said that and then cut it out of the edit. I wish I would have left it in. Thanks for pointing it out.
Ty
“Myth some busts”, lol. Now we need a T-shirt!
Self, thanks for looking into this stuff!!!!
Has anyone had the super snug contacts rip the 'tip' off the end of their connector?
I know one-piece turned tips are what we all aspire to, but if you look at spare/repair pedals for example - there seems to be many instances where the plugs gives up the tip inside the socket - which is an easier fix on an open frame socket, but not something I want to encourage happening.
Cool shades!
Questions: Does the Pure Tone jack require significantly higher insert / release force? If so, how would this affect the longevity of the jack plate / screws on a Les Paul, for example? If you accidentally step on your cable will it rip the cable from the plug rather than simply pull out the plug?
They require a bit more force to push in and pull out the jack, but not so much that you're going to break the physical connection to the body. If you stepped on the cable and wrenched it out I'd say the same, only that you have a greater chance you might stay connected at the guitar.
Yes, that is a problem to me, so i got back to switch craft for guitars where pick guard bends much and all force is coming to one screw (p bass for instance).
Yes they do. Which means the surroundings of these jacks will take a hit, in the long run. If not everything on your guitar is made of stainless steel, and sturdy built at that. Including body.
My control plate flexes, because I cut it out of an old vinyl LP record. I hold two fingertips down on either side of the output jack, while pulling it out with the other hand, but I have done that since I installed the vinyl plate, even when using the factory Fender jack. I could add a couple more screws on the sides if I really wanted added stability in the middle.
We (Somnium Guitars) used the Pure Tone jacks for a while but started having troubles with the wiring tabs actually shorting out. We found that the tabs can be moved into proper position, but the movement was a big no no. Maybe a bad batch but hey. We changed to QiJacks and these things are great once you get used to having to push the jack in firmer.
When I first saw an ad for the Pure Tone jack, it took me no longer than a second to think, "BULLS- IT, the current from an electric guitar is very, very, very small (actually around 0.78V of AC which is just a bit more than 3/4ths of a volt). Accordingly, the guitar's output jack does not have to transfer much current and accordingly it does not have to be "hefty" or be made of materials beyond that of which it is already made. In other words, the jacks we have always had are just F'ing fine. Yes, all of that in a second.
I know that you feel that the Pure Tone jack will be more reliable. Well, so it might. However, I have a '52 Telecaster that has been played from here to Sunday for, lo, all of these 70+ years. It has its original Leo Fender cheapskate jack in it and it has never failed. I also have a truly beat up, hammered and abused but lovingly-played-for-thousands-of--hours '62 Strat and the same applies.
So, how "reliable" do these F'ing things need to be, anyway? Do I really need to buy this thing, get out my handy-dandy Stew-Mac guitar jack wrench and my low wattage "working on guitar stuff" soldering gun, rosin core ultra-thin silver solder, etc. remove a perfectly fine working $200+ vintage guitar jack and install this perfectly fine working one?
Just asking..
I have been installing Pure Tone in all of my guitars and recommending them to all my customers as an upgrade to their Switchcraft output jacks. For someone who plays a lot while sitting on the couch , these jacks are awesome as they eliminate cable popping when a contact is momentarily broken
The best cable retention I've ever met on 1/4 inch jack plugs is from the neutrik locking sockets.
solid reliable and reasonably priced.
I have a charvel model 4, kind of a loose jack. Replace with a pure tone and it sounds way more balanced
I might really want that pure tone output jack, but now i really want that metal cat shirt 😂😂
Dylantalkstone.com
Bought a 2pack of these, had to see what all the hub-bub was. 0% change in tone. I liked how much metal was actually in contact with the phone plug. After using them in 2 of my basses for a few months now I will say I think they grab too tight. It's more force to plug/unplug a cord. This force just feels different. The #11 switchcraft we all know has a nice satisfying snap sound when the cord is in. These puretones are more of a "wow, did I really push that hard?" every time. Also the threaded ends are longer. To get the flush look I wanted on my P-bass the jack was low enough into the body that the tip of the phone jack was hitting the shielding and sending all my signal to ground. So in the end, are these necessary? As a bassist, I've only ever had stereo barrel jacks go bad on me not Switchcraft #11s. Don't fix what ain't broke?
Why is there an unnecessarily high voltage in advertising? I remember the news from my childhood of a guitarist getting a deadly electric shock through a guitar cable. In the case of powerful lamp amplifiers, the same 500V figure acts as the final supply voltage. Legends persist for decades ...
Realistically, most marketing claims aren't 100% truthful, but as far as this jack goes, like you said it's very reliable compared to the switchcraft. Thanks for the video.
Hi Dylan do you have a video how to sodder that pure tone jack? thanks man
Started out using Pure Tone Jacks to have a secure connection that's it.
This is why I love your page, this video is excellent and gives me all the information I want.
I get the less crackle thing because of the better clamping but better tone? Meh, that's pushing it. I've long used stereo jack sockets for mono guitar jacks with the extra contact wired for ground. More contact for ground and extra stability. I've been doing this for 45 years. I hate wobbly jack sockets and stereo sockets were my answer to that issue with guitar leads. This is the first I'm hearing about these Puretone sockets. When my stereo ones need changing I might give them a try.
I have the Pure Tone Jack in my Telecaster and I must say, the only thing that I like about it is the sucure physical connection....that's it. It doesn't make my gutiar sound any better. I like the reliability of the connection. You really feel how secure it is when you pull the cable off your guitar.
@DylanTalksTone Thanks For Sharing 💪
Can confirm. I just switched to Pure Tone output jack. It took me about 5 minutes. Most of the time was just removing my control plate and heating up my soldering iron. The signal is very good with much less crackle and hum.
I use them in all my guitars. No they don’t make it sound better, but the extra arms/sleeves make it more reliable. It doesn’t get bent and then not make good contact. The extra arms/sleeves make a more reliable Jack. That’s the only reason I use them. I like reliability.
What is you opinion of gold jacks over the ordinary ones? Just curious.
It's not a tone improver for sure. But its solid, I like it, it fits better. The standard jack is from 1940's telephone exchanges for God's sake .
Also avoids oxidisation at single point and sometimes crud buggers jacks up, voltage current bla bla, is all crap as Dylan says .....
Switchcraft ..... No big deal for jack's but great switches.
As for Gravity cable why bother? It's such low voltages anything will do.
Guys, on a LP there are 4 braided cables to control cavity, ground exposed (braid). Look for some 2/3/4 core shielded cable ..... I did a LP with 1 x 3 core shielded and a single ground from the switch to jack.
No folding braided cable out of the way, shrink-wrap etc .only reason that braided cable is used is that it's all they had in the 50s, shield/ground not insulated creating potential for shorts in control cavity.
Oops, got carried away sorry guys! I just get tired of the hype about cable types, you're paying more for less efficiency.
It's kind of neat. Yes you have to get the individual cables pulled out of the main outside insulation but they're individually insulated .....
Great investigative fact rich information.
A similar result can be obtained by using a Switchcraft TRS/"stereo" jack. Tie the ring to ground. Now you have a more secure connection (multiple pressure points from different angles) and multiple ground contact points.
Yes, but stereo switchraft comes at 6.41 USD at Stewmac, Puretone at 4.20 USD.
one of my guitars, a cheap strat copy from the late 70s has its original cheapo bent metal output. Ithe puretone still works in 40 years, it will have equalled it
Some is good. More is better. 🤷🤣 I have them in my guitars only because I was upgrading from import jacks and they were around the same price as a Switchcraft. So why not? They seem to be quality jacks. I've had no issues with mine and they have a secure connection to the cable.
I'm now stuck on whether I should have jacks that hold the cable tight so it stays in the jack if I trip over the cable and rips the guitar off the wall. Or do I want jacks that the cable slides in and out of easily so the cable will pull straight out of the guitar if I trip over the cable instead of yanking it completely off the wall lol
I just bought one. Expect it to last longer than a regular SwitchCraft. Don't expect better tone.
Got one. It’s a masterpiece
That cable you held at the end of the video, why is it so thick? For the milliamperes?
Hi thank you for your video I just want to ask. Say for stereo out put jack. Two hot two ground simple. But if i divert extra two hot out put( I shoulder extra wire from same hot out put) and shoulder on to mono jack where I attach both hot and both ground to a mono jack will it work.
I am trying to build two pick up system for my guitar where I can have both mono and stereo out put on same guitar.
Please help and advise.
Thank you in advance.
You’ll have to do the fu tone qi jack
I love this product, but HATE the marketing and the name!
I have an Epi LP that used to crackle so much that I got an endorsement offer from Kellogg's Rice Crispies. I tried a couple of replacement jacks, and while they were both better than OE, I'd still get chord noise on stage. I bought a Pure Tone jack out of desperation - and I now have them in every guitar I own.
But connectivity doesn't do a damn thing for tone! Why in the hell couldn't they just market them for the problems they actually solve?
My problem with pure tone jack is how much it grabs the connector. When i disconnect it, pick guard is bending much, and this puts a lot of stress on nearby screw, and pulls it out so much . Especially on pick guards and plates with only one screw near the jack (p bass)
Am I the only one who found it very difficult to unplug from this jack? I felt like I had to fight with it every time. I was using a quality Lava cable. I eventually sold that guitar anyway but I chose not to install anymore of these jacks in my other guitars.
Same thing, it is going to rip off screws nearby.
Good job of covering an obviously better jack. There is too much being professed in their "marketing" but the jacks are a better product than the typical jack.
I have them on 4 different guitars. Love em.
ROMULAN AMBASSADOR!!!
I'm curious, how is the feel of the jack? Not that it really matters much, but does it feel like pulling a tooth trying to get the cable out since it has the tighter fit with more contact points or is it about the same as a standard jack? I would guess that it's a bit stiffer but not anything crazy
I've been looking into guitar parts and I found a shielded jack output. Does it make any difference?
Definitely solid jack, very difficult to pull the cable out lol
I don't notice as many pops when I plug into my guitar if I'm switching from one guitar to another on a hot amp. Maybe I'm just not noticing them but I swear it doesnt do it nearly as much with Puretone jacks.
I use $4 ripoffs of the PureTone jacks solely for retention. I like the positive locked feeling they have. But I haven't noticed any tonal difference at all
Link?
@@swardmusic I got em off amazon a while back
I like the QiJack by Analysis Plus better. Will it give you “better tone”? Nope. Is it much more reliable and WAY less prone to failure than a Switchcraft or other jacks? You betcha! Basically, it should be the last output jack you ever have to put in your guitar.
Just saw the QiJack and immediately thought of the Pure tone jacks taking care of the same issue but with less tech.
@David Wang Yeah, I would take the pure tone any day over the Qijack. Then again, I’m really a fan of Daddario’s geo tip jacks(one cable fitting any jack well) and traditional inputs that I just clean once in awhile 👌🏻 Take care!
Hey Dylan. I know you know your stuff, but just a minor thing I wanted to disagree on / highlight ; pickup voltages
On my oscilloscope my passive pickups put out anywhere from 1-2V (normally) to I think the highest I’ve seen is a little over 4V (Seymour Duncan Invader).
This doesn’t dispute your claims of the 500V increased current rating being dumb for this application, just saying I’ve seen for sure over a volt out of some pickups.
I think the point is that this could be used in speaker cabinets.
Good vid chief!
Off topic a little..
I have question.
Looking for solid state combo amp with 2x10 speakers..
Also with switch craft inputs and CTS style pots that are not attached or mounted to the circuit board???
Reason? Easy to replace Jack's and pots.
Dylan you have any suggestions on that?
I need it to be gig worthy and also bedroom friendly...
Also sound great. 🙋♂️