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Post by gaucho on Feb 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT
Would it work? Seems like the nece stick might be in the way. I just bought a used National Slimline (not going to use it on a National, it's going on a Republic) and it has what paperers to be a "convertible" plug for using as a strap pin or mounting by drilling a separate hole. I don't really mind drilling this particular guitar.
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Post by snakehips on Feb 2, 2015 20:45:04 GMT
Hi there ! i never got the point of those type of connectors. Surely they get in the way when putting the guitar back in it's case (if it's a close-fitting case ?). Forget em ! Either drill a hole in the side for a regular jack socket, or, like I do, put the jack socket in the treble-side F-hole cirucular hole, and use right-angle jack lead. It never get in the ay when I'm playing my guitar. The existing round hole of the F-Hole is perfect for a jack socket. Like these two :  Similar place if the guitar has Tricone grills - only you will need to be a bit more creative with the grill hole to retain the jack socket securely in a larger hole. |
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Post by Stevie on Feb 2, 2015 22:22:57 GMT
I installed a strap pin jack socket in my MMB. No problem with the case- it never gets put away!!!
It was a few years back now, but I recall that the socket did hit the end of the neck stick. I had to trim a small amount from the neck stick and I did this with perseverance and a snapped off hacksaw blade. I removed the tail piece block of wood. I couldn't see what service it performed because it was about 3/16" short of the neck stick. In fact it was just being held in position by the tail piece screw which was going anyway as part of the "mod".
I noticed a countersunk indentation in the end of the neck stick which is where the manufacturers drill plunged through the tail piece block and abruptly bridged the 3/16" gap. This was of no use because the screw wasn't long enough to reach the neck stick. I puzzled over this for ages and eventually came to the conclusion that it is what it is. I drilled a small hole in the side of the conewell and using a rubber grommet, I duly fed the microphone cable through to the jack socket.
A few Forum contributors warned of the imminent collapse of the front of the guitar beneath the tailpiece and similarly of the metal around the tailpiece screw. Well I have to report that it has not (as I reasoned) come to pass.
The only potential downside that I have been able to identify is that I had to move the mushroom at the end of the neck stick towards the neck by about an inch. Again, no biggie. She still sings.
As for the internal microphone project- (a DPA lavalier) mounted on the underside of the cover plate, this has been moderately successful, but next time I restring I'm going to move it over to the other side of the cover plate to see whether I can improve the bass heavy curve.
I contend that the strap peg approach is a good one and should not be summarily dismissed. It is aesthetically preferable IMHO. OTOH, if you don't relish the work involved then bolting a socket to an "F" hole is as good as anything else. "Fit, form and function" etc.
Of course- YMMV.
e&oe
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Post by gaucho on Feb 3, 2015 2:55:28 GMT
It actually just looks like a strap button jack, but it's not. You drill an unusually large hole compared to a "normal" jack and the whole thing yes inside the body.
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Post by washboardchris on Feb 3, 2015 3:09:51 GMT
Another vote for the F hole option , much less invasive and dead easy to take the pickup off and put it on another guitar if needed.
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Post by Stevie on Feb 3, 2015 7:27:17 GMT
That's true, you only need to dismantle the tin can to reach the other side of the cone. Then you can de-solder the connections on the socket and away you go. Re-assemble, bed in and job done. The all up benefit is that you don't have to leave a strap peg that has a redundant hole in it. Fingers crossed that you don't mark the surface of the guitar or that there is no dissimilar metals corrosion. It's a win-win situation.
I don't lose any sleep over the over sized hole where the new socket is on my MMB because pick up or no pick up, it's there to stay and is in no way visually intrusive. However, as I said, the bolt on aporiach is just as good.
Absolutely no disrespect to my MMB but I WOULD think more than once before drilling such a hole in an NRP or a Fine Resophonic. I have a Sobell guitar and no way is that going to have any sort of strap peg.
e&oe
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 3, 2015 8:36:41 GMT
If you are considering the strap button jack socket; on a guitar with a neck stick, leave the strap button alone and fit a strap button socket between the point of the tailpiece and the back of the guitar. So in fact you end up with two strap buttons, one as a jack socket and the other as a strap button. This does not require you to remove part of, or drill the neck stick. Both of my Fine Resophonic guitars are done this way, in fact all FRs are done this way. I have not had a problem with them and both guitars live and travel in tight fitting Calton cases that are the same age as the guitars. One is 17 years old and the other is 15. Here's a pic....  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Stevie on Feb 3, 2015 10:20:35 GMT
I like that. Lateral thinking.
e&oe
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Post by gaucho on Feb 3, 2015 13:32:23 GMT
I'm pretty sure that i was mistaken thinking it was a strap button, tho it looks exactly like some others I have. The entire assembly seem to it up inside the drilled hole, mounting flush. It's pretty clean actually. This is going in a Hwy 61 Republic, so I don't mind drilling and there are no F holes anyways. Thanks for the replies. Now if I can just find reference to the drill bit size required for this specific jack. It's bigger than usual and there's no margin for error! I'll probably just call NRP when they open….
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