Vintage Jack
Most acoustic guitar pickups are fitted using endpin jack sockets, which take a standard 1/2" jack. Thank goodness the days of guitars with holes drilled in the sides of a guitar for an ordinary jack socket are (mostly) gone! The high quality Switchcraft units used by K & K, L.R. Baggs and the like are extremely reliable. The only drawback is that they do need a 1/2" diameter hole through the end block. Most acoustic guitars use a tapered endpin, which has to be removed and the hole reamed out.
For anyone who doesn't want to modify their guitar, the Vintage Jack is the only choice. A Vintage Jack is available to fit most guitars, mandolins, and similar instruments equipped with taper fit end pins. (Note that the mandolin uses a traditional Gibson A-style or F-style taper which is different to the Martin-style taper on the guitar versions.) Vintage Jacks are precision machined in Colorado, using the best quality components.
Vintage Jacks are available in a wide range of materials. Standard models are available in brass and stainless steel. They are also available in a number of exotic materials to match the guitar or mandolin - Amboyna Burl, Bubinga, Cocobolo, Desert Ironwood, Black Micarta, Snakewood, Synthetic Ivory, Water Buffalo Horn and Fossilized Ivory. Most are available to special order - see below for the versions we stock.
Vintage Jacks use a heavy duty Switchcraft 3.5mm jack socket. They can be wired in a number of configurations - mono for a single pickup, stereo for hybrid systems, plus they can be used to switch on a battery for use with an onboard active system. Instructions included.
New Vintage Jacks are also supplied with a 3.5mm heavy duty Switchcraft jack, which can be used to make up a suitable lead.
The Vintage Jack Cable Adaptor is a handy accessory for those who want to continue the use of their favourite instrument cable or perhaps want to keep and adaptor cable in their guitar case for an emergency situation if their custom cable should get lost or left at home or simply as a backup. It converts from 3.5mm to 1/4" jack.
