Chapparal Bass with EMG's wiring

[Ucode]

I apologize if this question has already been address.

I have a 90 Chaparral Custom bass that has recently been giving me intermittent issues with output. It's probably the input jack and should probably be replace but wanted to ask you all before throwing parts at it. To describe the issue I am having, when I take my bass head off of mute I sometime have no output. If I fiddle with patch cord I eventually start getting a signal. However, while fiddling with the patch cord I get crackling and loud signals that will scare everyone include myself in our house. Amplifier is set to a very low volume but the crackling signal is very loud at times. I have tried clean the input jack and it was better. Last night while playing I could hear a faint distortion in the signal and signal was somewhat weak. Took the cover off and inspected the input jack along with wiring and discovered what appears to be a broken wire connection, not sure where that wire should go. I am not sure if the Green wire should go to the post on the input jack or to the 2nd Tone post. The 3rd Tone post looks like it has never had any soldering but the 2nd Tone post has a broken connection.

Edited January 9 by Ucode
Adding Photos

[velorush]

Yep, those barrels go bad. Simple to replace them.

I recall using the Switchcraft replacement, but someone here might have a better suggestion.

Amazon.com: Switchcraft 151 1/4-Inch Mono Thick PNL MT Jack : Musical Instruments

Once they start giving fits it only gets worse.

 

[Jimbilly]

I'll grab a photo off my Cruise 5 emgs for you shortly, it should look the same. That green wire is 'ground' on the pot it's connected to, which should also be ground on the jack/plug, - and it looks like you've got nothing going to ground on the plug/jack right now.

 If that one is original, it's likely due for a change. Another vote for Switchcraft, but you will need 'stereo' with the 3 prongs like you already have, not the one mentioned above which is for passive pups. 

(edit) - mine looks a lot different, so it would be no help 

Edited January 9 by Jimbilly

[Dave Scepter]

I'm just going by memory, but I don't think EMG active pickups need grounding... "only on the tone controls"... pretty easy to check if you have an alligator clip test lead laying around

For the connector,  you're going to need a "stereo jack" for the power... 

Pure Tone PTT5 Pure Tone Barrel Jack - Nickel | Sweetwater https://share.google/Az8bfw4mfEwkIlk6G

[Jimbilly]

18 minutes ago, Dave Scepter said:

I'm just going by memory, but I don't think EMG active pickups need grounding... "only on the tone controls"... pretty easy to check if you have an alligator clip test lead laying around

For the connector,  you're going to need a "stereo jack" for the power... 

Pure Tone PTT5 Pure Tone Barrel Jack - Nickel | Sweetwater https://share.google/Az8bfw4mfEwkIlk6G

good idea on the alligator clip test. And yes, as I recall emg's don't need conventional grounding to the bridge, I think the tip and ring are wired to turn the battery on which is why you don't want to leave them plugged in for long periods of time.

  My old Boogie Bodies with emg's has a barrel jack, and the outer/ground goes to the body/ground of the tone control, I see that as verification that your green wire should go to the outer/ground on the barrel jack

[Ucode]

Thank you for providing info on this issue. I appreciate your time getting back to me on this matter. So are you saying the green wire that is coming off the body of the Tone pots (has a gob of solder) should be on one of the three posts of the Tone pots? Does it matter which post on the Tone pots it is soldered too?

[Jimbilly]

it looks to me in your photo that there is a green wire attached/soldered to the T pot that point up and connects to nothing, I would attach it to the outside point/lead on the output jack, that one it almost touches in your first photo

[velorush]

Some great help here from @Jimbilly and @Dave Scepter: totally missed the EMG element - definitely need a stereo output jack as the second element serves at the power switch when you plug in. I also (now) recall from my own late 80's use of EMGs that they do not require a ground. 

The HFC rules, as always!

[Ucode]

Quick shout out to @velorush@Jimbillyand@Dave Scepter for troubleshooting steps, overall knowledge and recommendations. My Chap is back in business.....

Replaced the input jack and the battery, soldered the red the green and the black wires to the input jack. She sounds good as the day I bought her new.  

Thank you very much!

Long time looker on the HFC, this group is always solid unlike my playing.   

[Ucode]

Group Photo

[cmatthes]

That Monaco Bass is the sort of thing that keeps me awake at night...