Installing an end pin jack in an acoustic guitar

Here are a few tricks and tools for installing an end pin jack in an acoustic guitar. ** Warning ** This video does not address creating the hole for the jack, but that is the riskiest part of the process. Only someone who knows what they're doing and has the right tools should be allowed to create this hole. It's easy to mess up your guitar. You can guess how I know.
The details of pickup installations can be different, but the end pin jack is a very common component.

[@ladywhocreates]

This video was extremely helpful. The input jack on my guitar was loose and this helped me fix it in a snap. Thanks a bunch.

[@homebrewedmusic]

I'm always glad to hear that my video was helpful. I really recommend using a 1/4" dowel to maneuver the jack, I've done a second video that shows this technique. Fran

[@davsor2001]

Hi, I bought a transducer off Amazon and received it today, only to find that the instructions were pathetically poor! I've never tried this before and so was a bit stumped until I came across your video. Pickup is now fitted and working! Can't thank you enough for this down to earth, crystal clear video! You're a life saver - many, many thanks!!!!

[@wittmf]

I just KNEW there had to be a logical way of doing this without having to reach into the guitar! THIS is the answer!!! Thanks for the great video - audio was clear and the video showed the detail needed.

[@homebrewedmusic]

I should get around to re-making this video because I found a slightly better technique. The trick is to use a 1/4" dowel, available for very small bucks at most hardware stores. This makes it even easier to maneuver the jack. On the other hand, this trick with the wire works even with an old guitar string, or a piece of string! Fran

[@wittmf]

@@homebrewedmusic Yeah, I can see how the dowel could make positioning easier...Thanks!!!

[@DropD1123]

Fran - you've helped me so much with recording info over at AGF, and tonight when I just happened to need help with the end jack on my Fishman, what do I find but a video from you that is exactly what I needed. Seriously, you're awesome!

[@leaccordion]

Thank you so much for this video. I had the same problem on an acoustic bass guitar and your demonstration solved it for me. I was finally able to tighten that jack/strap holder unit once and for all. Finished hearing these little clicking sounds on the back end. Bye for now.

[@robertunger1417]

Nicely done video. Some great tips. My only comment would be to rename the video " Replacing" the endpin jack instead of "Installing" it. Installing sounds like the video will show how to drill the hole for the pin to begin with. But hey, that's just word play. Good job.

[@homebrewedmusic]

You're right, I just looked at a jack and your idea would solve the problem nicely. The allen wrench would hold the jack in place while you start the nut. Thanks for seeing that! Fran

[@bluegrassguitar1949]

What a great help that was....I was trying to figure how I'd get my arms in through the sound hole and hold the inside pin tight. Pick up install is easy on my resonator since I could remove the top. Thanks for the acoustic help.

[@guitaro5000]

Thanks for this! Using it today!

[@franguidry]

I need to update this video with a better technique: get a 1/4" dowel from your local hardware store, probably costs less than $1. This will let you pull the jack back through the hole and hold it in place very easily. Fran

[@jimthomson6753]

I am replacing the old Jack which was glued in and kept being fix by the Guitar shop. Replacing it with a threaded type, but I was trying to figure out how to get to the inside to tighten the Jack. Now I know I don't have to. Thank you the assistance.

[@georgescarlett2320]

Very COOL my man!!! Sure beats the "Uncle Stewie" version (over $30!). Oh, as far as thin wrenches, i just take the time on my Vertical 2" belt sander, and a waterpot, and 'Have at it' for several sizes. Another tool that I use from my Schwinn days is Bicycle wrenches, they're really thin. God bless, my friend. PS: to create the 1/2" (I go for 12mm) hole, merely first TAPE OFF (important to help prevent chips in finish),. I use a Step Drill. Just drill to the appropriate Diameter, and finish Drill throung the endblock with a standard Bit!!! Neat/Clean/Quick ($$).

[@homebrewedmusic]

I swear I'm going to do this video again with my new better technique, still a cheap fix available at your neighborhood hardware store. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

I'm really glad I was able to help. Fran

[@neilcolosimo2697]

I have an old style end piece that I need to adjust sometimes because the jack feels loose going in. The string idea to recover the end piece is great! I was using a chop stick to guide it to the hole but I'll try the string idea next time. thanks

[@homebrewedmusic]

If the chopstick is large enough to hold the jack firmly I think it would be a great tool. I've switched from the wire to a 1/4" dowel because it gives better control than the wire. Fran

[@gardeningjack54]

Great advice, thank you. I had a loose rear nut so you saved me a trip to the luthiers

[@steveb620]

Thanks for this super-helpful video, worked like a charm! I was able to use a regular wrench rather than a super-thin one, it just meant a bit more fiddling with the alignment of the Allen key and the wrench as I tightened the nut (long end of the Allen key passes through the open end of the wrench, and you can get about a quarter turn before repositioning the wrench).

[@homebrewedmusic]

All my responses these days point to the use of 1/4" dowel for maneuvering the jack. The cost less than a buck at a hardware or hobby store really do a nice job of picking up the jack, pulling it throught the endpin hole, and then holding it for tightening. It also eliminates the need for the thin wrench. I'm glad to hear your solution worked well. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

You're quite welcome. The same trick works for fishing tone and volume controls in and out of hollow body guitars. It's especially useful for thin bodies like a Gibson 335. Fran

[@Dr7strings]

Thank you sir! Very useful. I just need to pull mine out to adjust it. When I plug it in half way it makes perfect contact, but when I push the plug all the way in there is no contact what so ever (just a bunch of rattling and static). I will use this vid to pull it apart and make some adjustments and see if I can open it up to where the contact point meets the cable and do a little bending on it!

[@BlackAngusYoung]

@franguidry Thanks. I've fixed the problem. I had to ground the strings like an electric guitar and it's fine now. I drilled six holes in a metal plate, the spacing of the strings and wired it to ground. The plate sits inside the guitar under the bridge, with the ends of the strings pushed against the metal plate, There is less hum overall, and it goes away entirely while I'm playing.

[@mysabre73]

Thanks for this vid. It helped me fix my Martin's Pickup jack. Thumbs up or this video!

[@virtuaza]

Thanks, It helped me out to fix my new guitar problem on the input jack

[@neen070456]

Thank you....very well explained and patiently done ! I have an Ovation which needed the piezo replaced but it is simple to do since there is a round hatch you can remove but this will help me in the future,,,,I wish more videos on youtube were like yours !!!!

[@alongbow]

Thanks this made me aware of the pitfalls before I started.

[@MultiMochen]

Easy when you know how! Thanks for the great vid. It was really helpful

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks for visiting and commenting. I'm glad to be able to give back to the guitar community after all I've learned from others over the years. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

@mysabre73 Thanks for your comment. I'm really pleased that my little clip has been able to help someone. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

Scott, I'm sure glad to hear you found this useful. Fran

[@howethomas3943]

Yeah Fran I think that spring washers are one of the trues mysteries of life. I hope that before I die i learn the secret of thos darne things Howe

[@homebrewedmusic]

@alexis221woodworks I have enough trouble getting my hands inside a guitar - I think I'd use an axe to install a pickup in a uke (grin). Fran

[@jaimer744]

This helped me today -- thank you!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Great to hear, thanks for taking a moment to comment. Fran

[@back2fla]

Thank you Sir...Are you a Teacher? Went back in time around 25 years when I was on 8 grade during Shop period. Just like the Bible wisdom and patient comes with age. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Muchas Gracias Carlos Kissimmee Florida

[@MrAlistairGeorge]

Very useful. That was the hardest bit of installing an EQ!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks for visiting. I hope you read the comments because there are several excellent suggestions from other viewers. Fran

[@MrAlistairGeorge]

Here is my compilation of additional tips for installing a Fishman 301: I used DS sticky tape on the (Fishman) template, print without scaling, cut out template area, stick to outside of guitar in correct location/see below. Cutout with a dremel with cutting wheel, and an appropriate drill for the corner curves, lets you make a square cut. Tip: locate the EQ best position by sliding it on the bottom edge of guitar till you find its edge and the curvature match, then draw a couple of vertical pencil lines using the flat base of the guitar as a vertical guide. (Guitar top is usually angled.) Then, in a midway point after checking the internal edge binding and internal top bracing locations, locate your EQ edge aligned to guitar flat bottom, which keeps the contours correct. The hardest part is getting the endpin screwed in, which is sorted by homebrewedmusic. I found the correct location of back nut critical, and time consuming, but it works well. Please take care when tightening endpin using a allen key, as the endpin key hole is very soft and easy to damage.

[@davemcdonald8790]

Thanks for this video. It really helped me out!

[@homebrewedmusic]

I'm very gratified to learn that my clip was useful. Thanks for stopping by. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks for your comment. I just love this "fishing" trick, it makes something so hard become so easy, with no special tool at all. Finding that thin wrench is really the hard part. I wish all pickup manufacturers would sell one or include a cheap one with their pickup. Fran

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

3:23 for this step I bent a paper clip on one end to stop just inside the wood on the inside of the guitar, then carefully bent the end of the paper clip so that when I removed it I had a fixed depth for the depth of the wood. That, minus about the thickness of the flat and tooth washer combined, gave me the measurements I needed to adjust the inside jack length. (hope that made sense).

[@homebrewedmusic]

Yes, your idea of the second bend to mark the length is a good one. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Fran

[@PhilGillis]

thanks for the video. gives me the confidence to try it.

[@jakevan22]

@homebrewedmusic You saved me a ton of time and frustration. Thank you! Ron

[@sillyocis]

you can get the thin wrenches for sale at any decent bicycle shop if you can't find them anywhere else.

[@Sunambra]

I remembered doing it one time I didn't have a great video like this to help me though had to work it out for myself.

[@bubbachuckify]

Thanks for sharing such a simple fix... ever forward!

[@homebrewedmusic]

+Michael Christensen Michael, I've recently learned of an even better trick - a 1/4" dowel serves to hold the jack perfectly and makes the whole process even easier. Fran

[@MrPittsSox]

Very useful indeed. Thanks.

[@Sunambra]

Good video Why not put the allen key in the hole till the nut catches at the end is that possible?

[@xanh350]

@franguidry thank you fo r replaying really quick, but a followup question if you allow me, so basicaly the whole reason of this endpin is purely for attack a strap and nothing else? It does not affect the sound of my guitar or the quality of it at all? thanks

[@homebrewedmusic]

If the inside nut comes loose the only solution I know is to remove the outside nuts and washers, pull the jack out, move the inside nut and lock it if possible, then re-install the jack using this technique. It's a pain, but it's the only way I know to deal with the problem. Fran

[@traxtelevision2010]

Thanks for that.. My pin jack came loose couldn't fit my arm thru F hole was almost ready to take to shop.. Waited much Time. before I fix it.

[@mattibiskit]

Wow Very helpful and very well explained. I have a Tanglewood with a Fishman Prefix system pick up and I occasionally get a hum or grounding noise. Any ideas or advice...? Apart from this it such a sweet sounding guitar.

[@organicvids]

Leave the wire on the jack then slide the washers and the nut over the wire to hold jack from falling into the body.

[@tomzjamz]

Hi, I bought one of these by accident. I needed a replacement jack for my electric guitar because it kept coming loose. I have a les paul would I still be able to install this kind of jack on my les paul?

[@mjdpoet]

Thanks a lot for the video!

[@TrueBlueBoogie]

Great technical wisdom and and solid approach. However I wanted to see details and close-ups. Please keep doing your videos - but try a 2nd person to man the camera and zoom in for extreme close-ups for those of us who have never seen what these smaller areas of the female jack look like. I'm great with tools if you show close-ups. Keep rockin your videos, thank you!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks for taking a moment to comment. I've very rarely had the luxury of a second camera operator but I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

@alexis221woodworks Thanks, I'm glad you found this little clip useful. Fran

[@howethomas3943]

One thing I thought you might want to extrapolate on is which way and where the spring washer goes on the inside portion of the guitar

[@whatbut]

Thanks for this. It was indeed useful

[@stewartsloke5827]

Nice demonstration. thanks

[@BlackAngusYoung]

On acoustic w/ stacked humbucker... There's hum through the amp that stops when I touch metal on the cable or amp, or reach in and touch the wire connecting the pickup (which is wired directly into the pickup.) Is there a way I can better shield this thin cable? Wrapping with aluminum tape, perhaps? Is this a grounding issue? The fact that it goes away as soon as I touch something give me hope I can make it go away altogether. Can someone help me figure this out? MUCH Appreciated!!!

[@xanh350]

@franguidry , thanks again, about the pin in the case in porpuse for shipment, thats exactly what I thought, i said they would remove it for shipment and it should be in the box, but its not there sadly, can't find it. but here's my problem, I can't get to the dealer, or order one, because I live in Kuwait, a really far place, my friend brought me this guitar from america while he travelled back to country. now I can't get a new one due to not knowing my dealer, and im really far. thx again

[@danlosgar9194]

Great Video...My Seagull endpin jack is different but I can definitely fix it now with a similar method. Thanks for the vid...I owe you a beer and a game of ping pong!

[@MrMorsadi]

hello brother, i'm wondering if u can help me to fix my prob. when i plug-in my electro acoustic guitar ,it gives me a sort of noise (certainly grounding issue) but when i touch the output,the noise stops. is there any solution? and thank you in advance :D

[@Csilvis39]

Thanks for the video.

[@bassmann9500]

wonderful, just what I needed, thank you!

[@nitrum3000]

Did this guitar have a pickup when you bought it?

[@e51v50h]

Great video!! Thank you so much for posting this.....:)

[@MustangJohnny85]

Great Job !

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks, I'm always gratified to hear that one of my clips is helpful. I did a second video showing how to use a 1/4" dowel to handle the end pin jack. The dowel trick is my new preferred procedure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGXWn4Codpl7ra8 Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

I had to chuckle when I read this. I wish I really knew which way the washers are supposed to go. If I get them mixed up I'm in trouble! I'm sure there's a best way, but I don't know what it is. Thanks for commenting, Fran

[@organicvids]

Oh I meant just leave the wire on until u get a couple of threads started is there ennough threads past the hole on the proud side?

[@homebrewedmusic]

Excellent idea, but in my experience the nut and washer won't fit over the wire. Fran

[@Sunambra]

I meant at 6.33 when you are finally screwing the nut back on and afraid the jack would fall back through into the guitar can't you use the allen key then till the nut catches?

[@dashriprock4481]

What size drill bit do I need to drill through the end of the guitar?.I have the same 1/4 in female end jack as you are working with.

[@homebrewedmusic]

I caution you that it's very very easy to damage your guitar by drilling out the end pin hole. An experienced luthier will have special bits for this job or will use a tapered reamer, and you can probably find someone who will charge less for the job than the bits and reamers will cost. If you want to risk drilling yourself I can only suggest that you measure the barrel of the jack and choose the drill bit based on the specific jack you're using. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

I'm very gratified that you found the video useful. So easy when you know the trick, eh? Fran

[@myguitarjourneymikerogers5015]

I may have missed it. Do you enlarge hole to 1/2”? I bought a step up drill bit for this job

[@homebrewedmusic]

I didn't address enlarging the hole. It's very easy to damage the guitar when doing that step. The recommended tool for the job is a tapered reamer. I don't think a step-up drill bit is the correct tool, because you must drill through the end block as well as the thin side wood. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

@neen070456 Thanks for your very kind comment. Fran

[@mcyhowe]

Hi Mr. Homebrewedmusic, how if the nut inside get loosen? How to tighten the nut from inside? I tighten it I think 2 months ago, now it get loosen abit, I was thinking, it actually loosen from inside or outside, if from outside, I guess it shall be easy by using the same technique you use with a allen-key to hold it, but what if from inside?

[@homebrewedmusic]

@DropD1123 I'll have to mention to my wife that I am now officially awesome. Somehow I don't think she'll agree, but I appreciate having your opinion in the mix (grin). Fran

[@KeithMoonbeat]

Thank you for this vid . Very helpful , peace !

[@kurtinklern3262]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Very glad you found the clip useful, but just to let you know I found a better way. Hardware store has a 1/4" wood dowel for under a buck and it works to grab the jack, pull it into place, and then hold it while you tighten the outside nut. Fran

[@kurtinklern3262]

@@homebrewedmusic Do you mean that the dowel will firmly press into the end pin and stay there while I pull the dowel and end pin back through hole?

[@homebrewedmusic]

@@kurtinklern3262 That's exactly right. It really simplifies the process. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

So, did you do a pickup install? How did it go? Fran

[@jules153]

Thank you!

[@usahatman9993]

If you now wanted to have a sholder strap what do you do because this would be essential for a busker

[@homebrewedmusic]

All my 1/4" acoustic guitar jacks have a shoulder to hold the guitar strap. I'm sorry I didn't take some closeups to show the details of the jack I'm working with. Fran

[@xanh350]

here's my problem, ive bought an acoustic guitar "Martin 000x1" my friend actually bought it for me from America, and delivered it to me here, I live in asia, and my friend doesn't know much about guitars and i'm new aswell. problem is my friend got me this guitar without the jack end-pin, it was empty. I can send you a picture if you give me your email, my question is. is there a problem if my guitar doesnt have this? + in my country we dont have any guitar repair guys. or any tools. help me

[@jacobcleaver9180]

Great video! Very helpful. I may be a rook guitar tech but my Martin seems to tighten the opposite way. Tightening nut is on the inside. Tips?

[@franguidry]

+Jacob Cleaver In my experience that inside nut is an adjustment feature. That's why I measure the depth of the hole then use that inside nut to adjust the functional length of jack before pulling it into the hole. With the proper adjustment of the inside nut the outside nut then tightens up "just enough" to get a solid installation. Fran

[@jacobcleaver9180]

perfect thank you. I never expect anyone to respond. very much appreciated.

[@shaunacarroll9462]

Hi, I was just wondering, is it possible to install an endpin pickup in an acoustic with no previous pickup, ie, not a semi acoustic, just a standard acoustic?

[@homebrewedmusic]

Yes, it is quite possible. The problem comes in enlarging the endpin hole, without the proper tool (a tapered reamer) it's very easy to damage the guitar. Fran

[@shaunacarroll9462]

@@homebrewedmusic thank you very much!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Now that I look at this I wish I'd had an HD cam back then. I think I should do the video over to take advantage of KZbin's new technology. Fran

[@User-hz5vz]

thanks you very much sir

[@homebrewedmusic]

You're quite welcome, but I have learned a much better way. These days I use a 1/4" dowel from the hardware store. It cost less than a dollar and it holds the jack both for positioning and for tightening. I need to make a new video to demonstrate this better way. Fran

[@benwil6048]

Thanks, this vid helped me fix my guitar where the shop seems to have failed ^^ The measuring trick did the trick :P Also I have a question, I tested if it worked while the cable was hanging out of the guitar (and plugged the jack in) but it didn't work. After I put it back together it did work. Could somebody part on me the knowledge as to why this is please? :)

[@matthellard609]

very helpful! thanks

[@5589daniel]

This would work great if my Fishman end pin jack had a hole to put the small Allen wrench through.....It has 4 very small wires through it and drilling a hole would be a bad idea. Great idea though for those who have this type of end pin...

[@homebrewedmusic]

I should do another video some day because I have a much better method that I use these days. Go to a hardware store and get a 1/4" dowel for a buck or so. Feed the dowel through the end-pin hole and catch the jack on the end of it, then pull it through and use the dowel to hold the jack in place. Fran

[@jasonables8119]

Lifesaver!!

[@homebrewedmusic]

Thanks so much for adding your comment. It's very gratifying to know that someone finds these clips useful. Fran

[@vlouz64]

Merci !

[@jazzman1954]

I knew there was something useful you could do with a ping pong table!

[@homebrewedmusic]

I'm embarrassed that I got caught using my TT table for a guitar project. Things are even worse now ... I upgraded to a much nicer table and now my sweet wife has spread out our extra serving plates and extra kitchen gear all over the new table! Fran

[@jazzman1954]

@@homebrewedmusic 😊

[@sbennett15]

thanks so much

[@harrythebassdawg]

Thank you!!

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

brilliant !

[@khanhnguyengiakhanh107]

thank you sir!

[@homebrewedmusic]

I hope it saves you some headaches. Fran

[@homebrewedmusic]

My arm is much too large to allow me to hold the jack inside the guitar, that's the real problem this technique solves. Fran

[@marselom]

Thanks!

[@mikemorales3932]

.it's....a.great..video...!!..You would make a great Martin Luthier..!..I had..an.end.pin..already..on.my.Oscar Schimdt..Washburn.6 string.acoustic( left-handed)..and.had.one..(.chrome..one) .installed.you know..where..I needed it at.the..point.where.the.neck..piece..meets..the.back..body.. centered..ok..thank the LORd and you.for.instruction .it's.a.treasure.to.store.it.up.for.reference....Mikel ..Morales...Colorado..

[@PhilGillis]

not yet . .still shopping :-)

[@bigsong]

Thanks, saved me about a dozen F bombs

[@humancentered3447]

Except for the part where not all jacks have that hole

[@homebrewedmusic]

I've done a new video with a better technique and doesn't require a little hole in the jack - I use a 1/4" dowel to control the jack and it works great! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGXWn4Codpl7ra8 Fran

[@alexkassmya7413]

After watching that bed bath and beyond bag in the back doesn’t seem so weird

[@homebrewedmusic]

It's funny what catches the eye. Even though that video is 9 years old, we still have that bag hanging in the same spot. We keep other plastic bags in that bag, even though we don't have a dog anymore and don't need to carry bags with us when we go for a walk. Fran