How To Fix A Noisy Jack In A Telecaster

A 1994 Fender Telecaster came into our shop recently that plays great, but whenever a player plugs it in there is some popping and cracking noise and sometimes there is no signal at all. The retainer clip that the cup and telecaster jack are mounted to has come loose. In this video, Blake demonstrates how to easily install a new retainer clip in a telecaster using the StewMac Tele Jack Installation Tool.

Tele Jack Installation Tool

Jack Cup for Tele

Electrosocket Jack Mount

Switchcraft Output Jack

Premium Wiring Kit for Telecaster

How to Wire a Fender Guitar DVD

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[reggiewallace]

I have a late 90's Telecaster that developed this issue after about 6 months of use. After checking out the engineering of the original jack socket, I searched for a better solution. I installed one of the Electrosocket Jack Mount and haven't given it a thought since. I threw the original cup and clip into a baggie which a have been in the guitar's case ever since. Done!

[CraigRMerriman]

That Tele Jack is horrendous. I replaced mine with an electrosocket as well, perfect. Zero issues now.

[charlesw.]

Ive been using the electro-socket since they came out. And I agree about the questionable design of the tele jack cup. Leo is a great inspiration to me. Especially since Ive almost reached 50, and like many others, came to the conclusion that the Strat is the perfect electric guitar.

[JonNewquist]

This is why I replace the jack plates on all my Teles with Electrosocket jack plates.

Great vid for those who want to just fix what they've got! 🙂

[THEQueeferSutherland]

How dare you criticize Leroy Fendor‽ He did everything right! I'm boycotting!

but seriously, best way to fix it is to rip it out and use an electro socket jack instead.

[PaulinaAngel]

Awesomeness, I have a 1962 reissue Telecaster from the mid 90’s and I’m always running into that problem.

[tizical]

Wow I was looking for this video. After I goot mine repaired it started doing this recently.. was hoping you'd be using a similar one to my year.. it's exactly the same year and colour, happy days

[wamgoc]

My current build is an LP Junior shaped Tele . I actually spent a lot of time on this very issue. My solution: a strat-o-gina on the back. Kudos to Scott Grove for that idea.

[TheVatonaught]

I'm assembling a Tele and the parts are all after market upgrades and require alterations...I'm a novice at this so your video showed me what I needed to know. I'm a cu8stomer of yours also ! Thanks.

[trixie]

Hi. I'm the 80th person to recommend electrosocket. Though I've never heard of it before.

[AndrewKonkey]

My '52 Squier Reissue Tele had this exact problem so I installed the Electro Socket, but it's nice to know that y'all sell a tool that works wonders

[howardcobb]

Good to see Jerry behind you. Excellent video BTW.

[guitartomy]

good, easy to follow vid. I bought the installing tool, and it worked just as described. keep the videos coming!

[metman]

Nice that you can extract with that tool as well. I made an installation tool from a long bolt, socket, some washers and nuts, but it will only install, not extract.

[barnabyjones]

Good video. If you're set on keeping the original cup socket, I would recommend a locknut or starwasher, and maybe a jack with the longer threads on the socket. Keep it from coming loose again soon. Right angle cable plug helps reduce stress there too.
Ooopsie: you said you were turning the plate 90° but the video showed the same orientation.

[johanflierman]

That retainer clip simply was the cheapest way to do this. The broad/no/telecaster (also) was an exercise in finding the most cost-effective way to put together an electric guitar, and this is just one of the examples. Thing is: in most cases, it simply works and if not anymore, is quite easily fixed. As are a lot of the cost-cutting exercises on those guitars, that actually also made the guitar very easy to fix or modify to your needs. I don't blame Fender for this, though: it meant they were able to offer the new concept of the solid body electric guitar at a relatively affordable price while also making a reasonable profit from it.

Oh, and yes: on all the Tele's I've owned (only 2...), I've had to do a similar fix, with the one I still have indeed ending up with an electro socket.

[heinsite]

As a woodworker I would not have left the damaged wood on the hole edges. I would have repaired them with epoxy before reinstalling the retainer clip. That way if the clip starts to move again it will find resistance instead of an old damaged section of wood. Then again, I don't repair guitars for a living so there might be a reason this would be a bad idea.

[rofflestomp]

The last bit using the Electrosocket is the correct solution. A totally vintage guitar is great for putting in a display case or selling to enthusiasts, but generally useless after years of playing as an instrument. Show me an all original playable Stradivarius violin and you will change my mind. Keep the original parts of course if it's worthy. I only own one guitar like that, but why would I waste it sitting in a guitar case when it is still awesome? Both solutions work, but the former is just a band-aid. Free pun included.

[AL]

Literally everything I needed to know, thank you so

[Teguvas]

Omg that new fangled jack mount will lose tone! :P