It's 2008 - Why Are We Still Using 1/4" Phone Plugs/Jacks on Guitars?

[tdowns]

I wonder about this often, but I have never posted about it. I'd like to hear your opinions. According to Wikipedia, the 1/4" phone plug is from the year 1878 !!! It really has many flaws.

Here are some disadvantages:

1. The ground makes contact on potentially 2 tangential areas, one point on the sleeve and one point the plug body against the end of the jack (if you are lucky)
2. The tip makes 2 tangential connections to the jack (if you are lucky), the radius of the jack connection if the recess of the tip
3. It can be pulled out of the guitar easily
4. The tip is exposed and subject to contact with objects and humans to inject noise and hum into the amp
5. The exposed tip will result in a short while plugging it in, which is not good for speaker wire connections at the speaker
6. The cable strain relief is generally weak
7. Lack of multi-point contact results in more connector noise, for instance while rotating in the jack.
8. Potential of dissimilar materials result in galvanic corrosion which = noise and rectification.
9. They are large/bulky

Advantages:

1. They are plentiful and cheap

Robust modern-day connectors provide spring loaded multi-contact points. Take the XLR mic connector. It's contacts are almost never a problem, and it has a locking device. A poor cable strain relief mechanism is generally the weak link of the XLR in my experience, so I'm not advocating its use on guitar.

I was thinking about my Blackberry. Every new phone I get over the years has a new connector for charging or interface. The technology changes rapidly. Everyone seems to adapt.

Why would it be so hard to break away from such an old tradition?

Please don't take offense with this with in regard to vintage instruments. I'm not saying you should put a USB type connector on you '52 Black Guard. I'm strictly speaking of new practical applications.

[mellecaster]

I do Share your concerns Terry (Really)...but alas, have nothing constructive at the moment to offer......

[J-man]

The audiophiles would riot, destroying the buildings of all those who dared to update their equipment away from 1/4" jacks - because of course, as all audiophiles know, 1/4" jacks sound better.

[tdowns]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I do Share your concerns Terry (Really)...but alas, have nothing constructive at the moment to offer......

I hear ya man...I don't have any golden suggestions either.

Originally Posted by J-man

The audiophiles would riot, destroying the buildings of all those who dared to update their equipment away from 1/4" jacks - because of course, as all audiophiles know, 1/4" jacks sound better.

Yes, I'm surprised we can deal with our MP3 players without a $3K phonograph cartridge in it. I'm still looking for cloth covered wire to the earbuds.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by tdowns

Yes, I'm surprised we can deal with our MP3 players without a $3K phonograph cartridge in it. I'm still looking for cloth covered wire to the earbuds.

It seems that some people have managed to adapt.

[ibobunot]

one ringy-dingy.... two ringy-dingy....

[djdeacon]

'cos they look rude?

[Tim Armstrong]

My guess is that getting an entire industry to change connectors would be like herding a large number of kittens across the prairie.



Just sayin....

Cheers, Tim

[kp8]

About 22 years ago as a wee lad i did a bit part in a show with mostly classical musicians and the engineer was a big wig member of AES who had done CDs for classical labels (teldec, denon, naxos, that type o thing) . When i pulled out my guitar jack, he looked at me and said, "i can't believe you rock guys are still using those noisy, unbalanced, primitive cords... in 20 years no one will be using 1/4 jacks..."

For the life of me i don't know why we don't move on to something better, balanced, sturdier... i seriously don't.

[PJ]

It's the original one-pair telecom circuit - tip & ring (signal & ground) connector. As mentioned earlier, probably still around since it's big and robust and got designed-in when there weren't many connector interfaces that could also do that job. And it worked well enough that it stuck for a really long time. Nowdays, there are many other connectors that would work as well, but changing a standard is tough to do. And really, if you think about it, you need some size to grab it, some beef to shield it and some clamping to keep it together. Don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to be plugging a modular-plug into my guitar. A couple laps around the stage and that flimsy tab would be toast.

[Ironwolf]

Because if someone tried something different, The guys who yell "only nitro sounds right", and "you can't wear short pants" would start screaming that "Leo used 1/4" jacks, you can't change, it won't sound right". Then they would march on the users of the new plug with pitch forks and torches.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by Ironwolf

Because if someone tried something different, The guys who yell "only nitro sounds right", and "you can't wear short pants" would start screaming that "Leo used 1/4" jacks, you can't change, it won't sound right". Then they would march on the users of the new plug with pitch forks and torches.

Hee Hee...Sadly you're probably right !......

[Buckocaster51]

1/4" plugs may have their problems, but they are quieter than alligator clips.

[bendecaster]

Yes, They have all of those negative things you listed, but.... if there was a change in the standard for guitar/patch cords, how many people that own real 50's vintage guitars would yank out the 1/4" jacks, and install "the new thing"?
Not me

[maggieo]

Why are train tracks as wide as they are? That's why.

[Ironwolf]

Originally Posted by bendecaster

Yes, They have all of those negative things you listed, but.... if there was a change in the standard for guitar/patch cords, how many people that own real 50's vintage guitars would yank out the 1/4" jacks, and install "the new thing"?
Not me

A long time ago, someone invented something called, let me see, oh yeah, an adapter.

Originally Posted by maggieo

Why are train tracks as wide as they are? That's why.

Train tracks are the width they are because its the width of a two abreast team of horses and the wagon they pull.

[e-merlin]

How could you possibly relic a MIDI interface? Man up and deal with it!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by tdowns

I was thinking about my Blackberry. Every new phone I get over the years has a new connector for charging or interface. The technology changes rapidly.

I think you provided your own answer. The 2008 guitars would have one kind of connector. The improved 2010 models would have an "improved" connector. And so on. And so on.

Plus, the same thing for connectors on the amp end.

Oh yeah, and all for all your pedals.

Going to a gig would be like trying to find the power adapters for your iPod, Blackberry, PC, cell phone etc. and hooking them all up.

Now imagine trying to connect everything after you've had a few beers before the start of your jam session.

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by tdowns

I wonder about this often, but I have never posted about it. I'd like to hear your opinions....Here are some disadvantages:

1. It can be pulled out of the guitar easily
2. The tip is exposed and subject to contact with objects and humans to inject noise and hum into the amp
3. The exposed tip will result in a short while plugging it in, which is not good for speaker wire connections at the speaker
4. The cable strain relief is generally weak
5. Lack of multi-point contact results in more connector noise, for instance while rotating in the jack.
6. Potential of dissimilar materials result in galvanic corrosion which = noise and rectification.
7. They are large/bulky

Hey Terry, wait a minute - many of these so called disadvantages are features. 1 and 4 are solved, at least at the guitar end, when the plug is used with the optional supplementary cable relief reinforcement which also doubles as a guitar strap.

2 and 3 are not a problem for the competent user who knows to turn equipment down before changing connections, and functions as an audible encouragement for the incompetent to learn. Surely a good thing.

Re 5 - so who rotates the jack? That's like saying it doesn't work as cereal bowl.

Re 6 - one man's galvanic corrosion is another man's relicing

Re 7 - compared to what? They need to be big enough to get your hand around to pull 'em out. Yes?

Objection overruled.

[sax4blues]

Originally Posted by Ironwolf

A long time ago, someone invented something called, let me see, oh yeah, an adapter.

So.... an improved connector, fitted with an adapter, is an improvement in quality/performance? And the cost/benefit of this improved adapter system?

There is probably a better gasoline filling nozzle, but it has the same issue. The field is 100% saturated with one standard thats been in use for 60-70 years.

The only winner is the adapter/retrofit component makers.

[Ironwolf]

Originally Posted by sax4blues

So.... an improved connector, fitted with an adapter, is an improvement in quality/performance? And the cost/benefit of this improved adapter system?

Nope, but it negates the argument about changing jacks on vintage pieces.

[Tim Armstrong]

My brother uses one of these Snap Jack cables:



He never take the 1/4 plug out of his guitar!

Weird, eh?

Cheers, Tim