K&K jack for an A5

[Bob Schmidt]

I am looking at ways to put a K&K twin in an A5 I am building, but they only come with a 1/4in jack. That has not been a problem with the OM's I have built since I can bring it out below the tailpiece, but that will not work with a mandolin. I have been using Allen tailpieces and the button hole is too small. I could drill it out, but I'm wondering if there are better alternatives for the installation.

[Bill McCall]

I have a 1/4” Jack in my pickup equipped mandolin. I don’t think it’s uncommon.

[pops1]

I use the Tapastring jack for my mandolin, but have put 1/4" in many others.

[bradeasley]

Tapastring Vintage Jack for Mandolin is the answer you seek.

[Bob Schmidt]

pops1, what tailpiece did you use for the 1/4in setup? Did you have to drill it out?

[bradeasley]

I have put a K&K in with the provided 1/4in jack and drilled out an Allen style tailpiece AND the wood behind it to fit it. Personally, I probably wouldn't want to go that route again unless absolutely necessary. Not all tailpieces may require that.

[Mitch Stein]

I have a K&K twin in my mandolin. Comes through the endpin on the James tailpiece. Works dandy.

[mandroid]

K&K only need a tip ring 2 conductor jack .. instrument cable
Although if RFI is an issue then the signal is separate from the grounded braided outer TRS , microphone cable..

[mandroid]

+ 1 as said : tapastring jack end buttons use a tapered pin, for 1/8" plug
No modification of instrument end block ..

http://tapastring.com/vintagejack.htm

Question: 'but I'm wondering if there are better alternatives for the installation.'

I have one, electric magnetic pickup, .. A 50 modified.. {'Better' is opinion based}

the Luthier used a Les Paul Guitar jack mounting plate put in the rim /side of the body ..

[pops1]

pops1, what tailpiece did you use for the 1/4in setup? Did you have to drill it out?

A variety of tailpieces, and yes some had to be drilled out. The ones I drilled I removed from the mandolin to drill, then put it back on and drilled the mandolin thru the tailpiece hole.

[Mandobart]

I use the Tapastring jack for my mandolin, but have put 1/4" in many others.

I used a Tapastring Vintage Jack on my HD-28 guitar. See also this thread I started a few years ago on other ideas. If you're building it put a 1/4" jack in the lower treble bout with a reinforcement block.

[mandroid]

My A5 came, passing through a couple owners, along the way , from Peter Mix , with a pickup, installed

Schertler uses a TRS 1/4" end button jack and either a 3 or 2 conductor plug works ..

[Bob Schmidt]

Thanks everyone. I looked at the tapastring, but I would be concerned with the 1/8" pin going to 1/4" cable. The way things happen on stage with a bunch of cables running around, it seems a weak point when someone trips or yanks the cable. I would probably use it on an existing instrument that I would not want to compromise the resale, but this will be for an instrument I am building and the body is still open, so it appears that either taking a 1/4" through the tailpiece or adding a reinforcement piece on the treble side rib and running it out there are the 2 options.

[pops1]

I have performed with a Tapastring jack in my mandolin for many years without incident. The 1/8" plug is sturdy and I have had it pulled on a few times. I carry a spare cord, but have not had to use it in all the years I have been playing with it.

[Rob Roy]

A variety of tailpieces, and yes some had to be drilled out. The ones I drilled I removed from the mandolin to drill, then put it back on and drilled the mandolin thru the tailpiece hole.

This is what I did when installing one in a Collings for a client. I screwed the tailpiece down to a big hunk of 4x4 hardwood and drilled it out on the drill press with cutting oil. Not for the faint of heart. For my own personal instrument, I think I would fork over the extra $$ for the tapastring. I've never enjoyed trying to get a strap end to fit well on the big cap nut of a 1/4" jack. The tail block is just not that big on a mandolin.

[Mitch Stein]

Thanks everyone. I looked at the tapastring, but I would be concerned with the 1/8" pin going to 1/4" cable. The way things happen on stage with a bunch of cables running around, it seems a weak point when someone trips or yanks the cable. I would probably use it on an existing instrument that I would not want to compromise the resale, but this will be for an instrument I am building and the body is still open, so it appears that either taking a 1/4" through the tailpiece or adding a reinforcement piece on the treble side rib and running it out there are the 2 options.

I think that would be triggering to me, as well. I remember coming out of a cheap Casio keyboard to a 1/8" stereo-mono adapter to a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter to the PA.

The only issue I had with the endpin jack was finding a stand that was high enough to not interfere with the chord underneath my instrument. Adding another half inch isn't a big thing but it is a thing, depending on your stand.

[pops1]

If you don't use an adapter it is simply a cord with one end 1/4" and the other end 1/8". No adapter and smaller at the instrument so not really a problem. Make (or buy) the special cord instead of using a cord with two 1/4" plugs.

[mandroid]

There is a short pigtail they (or you can DIY make )
you have the potential to use your strap as the strain relief to not have any stress on the 1/8" plug.
then plug the 1/4" into It's inline connector.