Silly "fit" flaw in many Legacys

[johnnyqb]

You would think all of the little things would automatically be done correctly by now. I love Legacys, and the newer ones are just gorgeous--the necks are brilliant. So why, oh why, G&L. can't you make the input/output jack work so the cord snaps in cleanly? I have owned 4 Legacys from the last two years and they all had problems with the input/output jack. You plug in a strat, and you hear and feel it "clang" with authority. You plug in a legacy, and it is a bit mushy--there is a not a clear SNAP, but sort of a "meh" connection. Its not like the cord is falling out--but rather the end of the cord seems to be hitting the end of the cavity, which pushes back on the cord. I have tried over and over to re-align them, and it just isn't happening. It is baffling to me that such a simple aspect of the guitar could be done in this flawed manner. Something aint' right there, and you really need to correct it.

[Boogie Bill]

I haven't noticed that with any of my Legacys, but they are all older.

I wonder if G&L has changed their supplier for their jacks?

Bill

[huck]

I've noticed That different cords also come into play, as some 1/4 jacks are slightly designed different from one manufacture to another?

[johnnyqb]

the same thing has happened whatever cord I use. The point is, it should not matter what cord you use. All these Legacys should never have gotten through QC with the jacks having this issue.

[darwinohm]

Johnnyqb, we are the victims of the worldwide sourcing of parts. Most of the guitars cords purchased at big box stores are now metric (a bit smaller) and some of the output jacks could be 1/4 in which makes for a loose fit. Most complaints have been about the barrel jacks and I have not heard complaints about the Legacy jacks but manufacturing plays a big part along with the composition/hardness of the metals. Many of the parts today are sourced in Asia even though they may come from American companies. The temper of the spring action in the metal could be a factor. Even the plating can contribute to the problem. Add to that the Metric/ 1/4 difference and it can result in problems. I would simply source the jack that works best and replace them. They are easy to replace on a Legacy. The output jacks get a lot of abuse when gigging. I have been using a wireless set up for 3 years and it removes the strain from the jack and it has eliminated problems that I used to have. I also do not have to worry about stepping on the cord anymore.--Darwin

[johnnyqb]

thanks Darwin--but the problem seems to be that upon insertion the tip of the cord is pushing against the back of the cavity, and this is what is preventing the nice snap-in of the cord. If I detach the jack plate, the cord snaps in just fine when the jack is away from the body of the guitar.

[darwinohm]

Now that is interesting and sounds as though the route has become smaller. If that is the issue, I'll bet it will be fixed asap!-- Darwin

[darwinohm]

You are right on. I opened up my 2010 American Legacy and sure enough, there is a mark in the cavity where the plug is hitting. If you bought these new, I would have the dealer resolve it however if it were me I would fix it myself with either a Dremel tool or simply use a hammer and a smaller phillips screwdriver and make an indentation in the wood where the plug is hitting. It could also be done carefully with a drill bit. Actually an easy fix. Here is a picture of mine.-- Darwin

[Craig]

I contacted Steve about this. Here is his reply:

HI Craig,

Please let the folks know we are looking into this issue from a supplier standpoint …
we have two suppliers for the jacks and they are slightly different sizes (internally)
and from a CNC routing standpoint to determine if the opening in the body needs to
be slightly larger. Stay tunes for more info on this

Thanks

Steve

Hope this helps.

[darwinohm]

Craig, thanks for looking in to this. Mystery solved!-- Darwin