When it comes to achieving the best possible sound from your guitar, every component matters, including something as seemingly small as the jack socket. The Pure Tone Jack Socket is an innovative upgrade to traditional jack sockets, offering a cleaner, stronger signal by improving contact points and reducing interference. In this post, we'll walk through the steps of wiring one up, and explain why it's worth considering this simple but effective modification.
Why Choose Pure Tone?
A typical jack socket has a single contact point for both the tip and sleeve connections, but the Pure Tone version offers four contact points. This provides a more stable connection and minimizes the signal loss and noise that can occur in standard jacks. The image below shows the difference in signal quality, with the Pure Tone socket producing a smoother high end, better lows, and stronger overall signal without the jagged spikes seen with standard jacks.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Pure Tone jack socket
- Soldering iron and solder
- Wire strippers
- Screwdriver
- Heat shrink tubing (optional)
- Multimeter (for testing connections)
Step-by-Step Wiring Guide
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Prepare Your Workspace
Before starting, make sure your work area is clean and well-lit. It's also a good idea to unplug your guitar and remove the back panel or control plate to access the existing jack socket.
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Remove the Old Jack Socket
Locate the jack socket on your guitar and carefully unscrew it. Once removed, take note of how the wires are connected, as you'll need to replicate this wiring with the new Pure Tone socket.
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Strip the Wires
Using wire strippers, remove about 1/4 inch of insulation from the ends of the wires that will connect to your new socket. Be careful not to cut the wires themselves.
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Tin the Wires
Heat up your soldering iron and tin the ends of the wires by applying a small amount of solder. This ensures a strong connection when you attach the wires to the Pure Tone jack.
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Identify the Terminals on the Pure Tone Jack Socket
The Pure Tone jack has two main terminals:- Tip terminal (positive) connects to the signal wire.
- Sleeve terminal (ground) connects to the ground wire.
Some Pure Tone jacks may have additional ground lugs that can help improve grounding, but for a basic install, you'll only need to connect to the tip and sleeve.
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Solder the Connections
- Attach the signal wire (usually the white or coloured wire) to the tip terminal.
- Attach the ground wire (typically the black or bare wire) to the sleeve terminal. Hold the wire in place and apply heat with the soldering iron until the solder flows and creates a solid connection.
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Optional: Use Heat Shrink Tubing
To prevent any shorts between the wires, you can add heat shrink tubing over the connections. Slide the tubing over the wires before soldering and then heat it after you're done to shrink it in place.
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Test the Connection
Before reassembling your guitar, use a multimeter to test the jack for proper continuity. Set the multimeter to continuity mode and check that the tip and sleeve connections are solid and that there's no short between them.
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Reinstall the Jack Socket
Once you're satisfied that the connections are solid, reinstall the jack socket into your guitar. Screw it in place, making sure it’s secure and won't move during use.
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Plug in and Play
Finally, plug your guitar into your amp and test the signal. You should notice a clearer, stronger output thanks to the improved contact points of the Pure Tone jack socket.
Conclusion: Why Pure Tone is a Worthwhile Upgrade
As the comparison image above shows, using a Pure Tone jack socket can lead to better overall tonal quality with stronger output, better lows, and a smoother high-end response. This upgrade might seem minor, but it can make a significant difference in your guitar’s performance, especially in high-stakes live or recording environments where signal clarity is crucial.
If you're looking to improve your instrument's reliability and tonal performance, upgrading to a Pure Tone jack socket is an easy and affordable solution. Whether you're wiring it into a DIY build or upgrading an existing guitar, this small modification can yield substantial improvements in your sound.