Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Commodore 64 on September 15, 2015, 07:14:54 am

Title: Cliff jacks vs. Mono for Inputs
Post by: Commodore 64 on September 15, 2015, 07:14:54 am

I usually use Cliff Jacks for my inputs to amps. I've had to replace about 8 of them now over the past 3 years: people (usually me) tripping over the cords or just general gig use seems to be hard on the plastic jacks. Does anyone else have this problem as commonly as I do?

So my question is, if I use a mono jack, do I need to isolate it from the chassis? <--like use a non-conductive washer or something? Heretofore, my builds have used the ppwatt universal PCB, though I've built one 5F2A based on a Hoffman layout with turrets. Generally I have every circuit ground go to a single star ground point, so the Cliff Jack ground is wired to the PCB or the ground bus.

Title: Re: Cliff jacks vs. Mono for Inputs
Post by: sluckey on September 15, 2015, 02:42:22 pm

Quote

So my question is, if I use a mono jack, do I need to isolate it from the chassis?

No. There are a gazillion Fender amps that do not have isolated input jacks. Switchcraft 12A jacks are reliable and very tough. If you tear up a 12A jack you will likely be replacing something else too.  :wink: