A guitar is considered the king of musical instruments, and rightly so. Its versatility and affordability put it at the top of the list of all instruments, making it an automatic choice for many who want to learn an instrument. Furthermore, it is reasonably portable and a great travel companion for those who travel often.
With that out of the way, whether you are playing solo or working in a band, you always need a few tools to get the most of your guitar. A silent plug is one of them. As its name suggests, it is a jack that mutes the guitar cable to avoid pops and squeals when changing the guitar under load.
In other words, if you want to change the guitar and have the Neutrik Silent Plug connected to the cable, you can simply change the guitar while it is connected to the system without getting any harsh pops and squeals. Of course, these harsh sounds can taint your otherwise excellent performance.
This is why expert players recommend using a silent plug to avoid that. Neutrik is a renowned brand that designs and manufactures top-of-the-line silent plugs for guitars. It has been around for a long time and has been on a roll since its inception. No doubt, Neutrik silent plugs are known for their durability.
But if you have run into some problems while using them, we are here with the solutions so you can stop pulling your hair out. Let’s delve right into it!
Some Common Neutrik Silent Plug Problems
Some common problems that you are likely to encounter while using the Neutrik silent plug are.
- Cables Getting Damaged
Damaged cables are the most common problem that many people have reported while using the Neutrik silent plug. This problem is quite concerning for the user as it may lead to distortion and all sorts of other problems. There are a few precautions that you can take to avoid this problem in the first place.
Make sure that you do not put too much strain on the Neutrik silent plug while it is attached to your guitar. No doubt, the Neutrik silent plugs are durable, but putting too much strain on them is only going to cause problems. Moreover, be careful while connecting the plug to your guitar.
Pull it out carefully without applying force if you need to detach it. There is little leeway with these tools, and even minor maltreatment can cause problems. For the best experience, consider purchasing quality cables. It may be often overlooked, but your guitar’s cables are just as important as any other component.
Cheap cables fray easily, and you will have to go through the hassle of changing them every now and then. On the other hand, quality cables may seem expensive on the surface, but their durability compensates for their high cost. If you suspect that your guitar cables are damaged, they can be checked easily.
A multimeter comes in handy for this purpose. Before testing the cables, consider setting the multimeter to Ohm or resistance mode. To test your cables, connect the tip of your cable to the multimeter’s pin. As soon as you connect both ends, you will see a reading on the multimeter’s display.
If you see “OL” written instead, that means overloaded, and it will take an overloaded amount of electricity to overcome this connection.
- Not Working Right
Many users have stated that the Neutrik silent plug does not work properly after several months. In some cases, it stopped working at all. The lifespan of the Neutrik silent plugs is rated to exceed thousand mating cycles, and it is pretty durable. However, it may let you down sometimes.
If you notice that your Neutrik silent plug is not working as it is supposed to, consider visiting a mechanic ASAP. They will thoroughly examine it and tell you what’s wrong with it. It is a little complex tool; inspecting it requires skills and knowledge. So, it is recommended to seek professional help.
If the Neutrik silent plug has been damaged beyond repair, replacing it is your last resort. So, ask your mechanic to replace it, and that will ensure a smooth guitar playing experience.
- Installation Issues
Proper installation is crucial for the proper working of the Neutrik silent plug. You will need a bunch of tools to install your Neutrik Silent Plug the right way. The tools include a vise tool, a jacket stripping tool, a wire stripper and cutter tool, a blade, and a soldering iron.
If you do not have these tools, which is quite likely, then consider asking a professional to do it for you. To assemble your Neutrik silent plug.
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- Start by sliding its boot onto the cable first. Make sure to remove the tag first.
- Then cut approximately half an inch of the wire’s outer jacket. Some people use a knife to cut it, but it is better to use a jacket stripping tool for this purpose as it is far safer and more precise than the knife.
- Once you have cut the outer jacket, peel back and twist the shielding. Most high-end cables nowadays feature a conductive sub-shield, which has to be removed. This is where the wire cutter comes in handy.
- Once done, grab a wire stripper and remove about 1/8th inch of the wire insulation. Repeat the step on the other end.
- Now, get a soldering iron to tin the cable and hold it against the cable for a few seconds. Make sure to secure your cable using a vise tool.
- Now, use the soldering iron and apply the solder to its pin for more or less three seconds. If you are using a cable having O.D. more than 5.50 mm, you may need to break the central part of the chunk.
- The next step is to slide its housing onto the Neutrik silent plug finger.
- Lastly, do not forget to tighten the bushing to keep it all in place.
Voila! You have installed the Neutrik Silent Plug. If you are having a hard time installing the Neutrik silent plug, the user manual can help you out. The instructions on the manual are pretty easy to understand and follow.
In addition, there have been many cases when the problem was not with the Neutrik Silent Plug but the guitar’s output jack. Output jacks of guitars tend to go loose over time, and when they do, the silent plug does not work properly. Apart from this problem, it may also cause a signal breakup and introduce noise.
Grab a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the jack and take off the entire plate. If you do not take it off, this may turn the entire jack around on the inside, twisting the wires and ultimately breaking them. Once done, simply tighten the jack using a wrench and then put all the screws back in.
The Bottom Line
The Neutrik Silent Plug stands out for its amazing performance and durability. However, numerous problems have been associated with it. If you face some problem, consider inspecting the wires first. Furthermore, make sure that your plug is installed correctly. If it is damaged beyond repair, ask a professional to replace it.
These plugs are fantastic. the only problem I have has is a hard pull on the cable bending the plug slightly so that the switch part does not retract properly. I have tried to straighten it several times, but it seems a replacement is the only real solution. Still worth it!!