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I'm not sure if this belongs here or the Amp/Repair section?

My guitar's input keeps breaking. Its happened about three times now, the bolt on the pickguard keeps coming lose and the guitar cable tends to twist the jack around and the wires come undone. I've had to solder them back several times. The first time, my uncle fixed it for me and said he got the bolt screwed on tight, but I guess not tight enough. It still continues to cause problems. It recently broke again. My question is, do I just keep repairing it, or is there a permanent fix to this problem? I've considered gluing the bolt to keep it a bit tighter and in place, but I don't want to do anything that might be a problem later on. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers,
Zac

Photos of the problem at hand:




The picguard is mounted to the bridge, so I can only get it open just a bit, hope these pictures help show what the problem is.

I have glued fast the jackinput nut on some of my guitars in the past to prevent the jack from rotating unwantingly but have not experienced actual cable breakage. You could try using a type of glue that does not cement in a solid/permanent manner. I'm not sure of the brands available in your country but I have used universal "Bison" kit that comes in a tube, is 'sticky' and has 'stretch' properties. Perhaps "LOCTITE" could be a better solution, though
...and if that doesn't prove to be sufficient, you may need to install a washer lock on the underside of the pickguard.

Veenture wrote: You could try using a type of glue that does not cement in a solid/permanent manner.

Is there any reason not to use a glue that would make it permanent other than that I'll have a real hard time if I ever get the urge to take out the input jack? I think I"ll end up doing that, I think I should have some glue that'll work. Thanks for the advice!

I recall there's a product called locktite or something, it's supposed to make screws stay in place. Otherwise, maybe use a little nail polish?

Hey, Zac--

That kind of recurring problem can be so annoying. Paul's solutions are dead-on. Since I have never ever remembered to get LocTite at a hardware store, I have always used my wife's nail varnish. I just paint the threads, screw down the offending part, then paint the outer edges with the nail varnish.

It's nitrocellulose lacquer, so it will "break" easily when you want it to. I have even used the clear-colored stuff to touch up a guitar finish nick on occasion.

By the way, that circle with the arrow in it shown in your first photo is very ingenious; you must be a graphic designer or sumpin.

--Jim

ZacJM wrote:

Veenture wrote: You could try using a type of glue that does not cement in a solid/permanent manner.

Is there any reason not to use a glue that would make it permanent other than that I'll have a real hard time if I ever get the urge to take out the input jack? I think I"ll end up doing that, I think I should have some glue that'll work. Thanks for the advice!

...I think that you've answered your own question

Aww I didn't notice the image Veenture had posted when I mentioned Locktite.

On the bottom side of the guard put a star lockwasher between it and the jack. When the nut on top is tightened it will pull the star washer and jack tight up to the guard and hold the jack in place.

MissionBrown wrote:Aww I didn't notice the image Veenture had posted when I mentioned Locktite.

Hey my friend, not to worry...and remember "double stitching holds better"!! Besides, you're not the only one who perhaps didn't notice an image...