Pure Tone Technologies - new "kind" of output jack

[Logrinn]

I had seen these before;

but then the video from Phillip Knight/ Know Your Gear made me go online and actually  buy some:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/VG0dmvVY028?t=3m26s[/youtube]

Will swap out my existing jack to these new ones, because I've actually had some problems with normal jacks.
What about you guys? Does it seem like something you'd get or is a more a "meh" thing?

 

[ragamuffin]

Actually looks pretty good! Depending on the price I may try them for future builds, but I don't think I'd swap out the Switchcraft jacks that I already have.

 

[ghotiphry]

I've bought a boat load of these from W and installed them on all my basses, because of the crackle issues I was having with standard switchcraft jacks.

I like the looks of the pure tone jack, it looks even more "heavy duty" than the planet waves ones.  I'm going to give them a shot.

Edit: on second look, I need stereo jacks.  It depends on if they offer those.

 

[Logrinn]

Doesn't look like they offer stereo ones. Here's the link to them that I forgot in the OP.

Those jack's that you've got looks like it's the same idea. I have to check them out as well.

 

[rgand]

I'll go this route in the future. For the small amount these things cost, why not?

 

[amigarobbo]

Edit: on second look, I need stereo jacks.  It depends on if they offer those.

Isn't a stereo jack halfway to this fancy new jack anyway?  :icon_scratch:

 

[ghotiphry]

Edit: on second look, I need stereo jacks.  It depends on if they offer those.

Isn't a stereo jack halfway to this fancy new jack anyway?  :icon_scratch:

Half way, yes.  But all the active systems I have need one to trigger the battery circuit.  I suppose I could do an on/off mini toggle, but why?

 

[swarfrat]

We shoulda dumped the phone plug for XLR half a century ago. Phantom power, balanced, spares in the locker.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

That is an interesting concept and is a clear design improvement over the standard. There is a lot of marketing magic in the product descriptions but it certainly looks like it solidly addresses some established physical issues; the tonal improvements will maybe be in the ear of the beer holder. I think I'll order a few to check them out, see if they're more than just good looks.... Even at wholesale they're about 75 cents more per each than the Switchcraft L-11; that adds up when you're buying by the hundred! But if they are truly the bees knees, it's kind of a no-brainer!

Thanks for posting it, I'm intrigued!

 

[Logrinn]

... the tonal improvements will maybe be in the ear of the beer holder.

:toothy12:

Thanks for posting it, I'm intrigued!

You're welcome :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

I think what probably drove that design is simply how many cheap junk 1/4 jacks are out there these days. The original Switchcraft parts were pretty robust, as they were designed for telephone switchboards. You can probably imagine how much abuse those things had to take over an extended life expectancy.

As for dumping them altogether for XLRs, seems like I remember reading somewhere that Les Paul originally wanted to not only use those connectors, but wanted low-impedance pickups as well. None of the manufacturers at the time (Gibson, Fender, Gretch) liked the idea for financial reasons, so here we are.

 

[Logrinn]

But there have been guitar models (Gibson's?) with that heavy duty locking output jacks, right?
I'm sure I've seen some, but I'm not sure where to look now. Somebody know what I mean?

 

[Cagey]

You might be thinking of some that have MIDI converters or other technology on-board that often requires multi-conductor connectors. For example, I think the Roland unit needs a 13 pin connector.

 

[Logrinn]

No, that's not what I meant. I know the ones you're talking about, but this is a connector for an ordinary guitar cable, just that the connector jack is of a locking type and very sturdy.
Well, I'm sure I'll remember where I've seen it soon enough. No worries.

 

[Logrinn]

Found it:

 

[Verne Bunsen]

...this is a connector for an ordinary guitar cable, just that the connector jack is of a locking type and very sturdy...

Like a Neutrik jack?

(edit: Whoops! I see I posted right on top of you!)

 

[Logrinn]

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of. I actually found an image and posted it a minute ago. But that's the one I started thinking of when the discussion started about a more robust standard, without having to resort to XLR-connectors or some proprietary stuff.
Maybe we'll see more of these in the future. Who knows?

 

[Fat Pete]

I think what probably drove that design is simply how many cheap junk 1/4 jacks are out there these days. The original Switchcraft parts were pretty robust, as they were designed for telephone switchboards. You can probably imagine how much abuse those things had to take over an extended life expectancy.

As for dumping them altogether for XLRs, seems like I remember reading somewhere that Les Paul originally wanted to not only use those connectors, but wanted low-impedance pickups as well. None of the manufacturers at the time (Gibson, Fender, Gretch) liked the idea for financial reasons, so here we are.

I thought the Les Paul Recording had XLR out(s) but apparently not. It did have low impedance pickups.

 

[Cagey]

Bet there's not many of those around.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I think what probably drove that design is simply how many cheap junk 1/4 jacks are out there these days. The original Switchcraft parts were pretty robust, as they were designed for telephone switchboards...

This is a good point, and (doubtless for marketing reasons) the "other" jack in the comparison picture in the OP is one of said cheap junk 1/4" jacks. I found myself wiring up a Switchcraft jack this afternoon and snapped a picture, you'll notice it engages the tip of the connector much more precisely and securely:

For reference, here is the comparison picture from the OP:

None of that changes the fact that I've got a few of the PureTone jacks coming and do look forward to giving them a whirl.
:icon_thumright: