Squareplug SP400 and SP500 Assembly

The Squareplug SP400 and SP500 pancake plugs are a great way to save space on your pedalboard. They simply go where other plugs can’t because of their size. In this video, I do a simple assembly to show you how I assemble these plugs, and give you as many tips as I can to make them rock solid.
Thanks for watching!
Jason
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[@BobbyGeneric145]

Brother you just saved my life! Ive destroyed 15 sp500 with heat because I had such a difficult time getting the sleeve connection to solder and hold. This was amazing!

[@lanceraustin]

Man, what I wouldn't give for a clear visual of this work. It's a great verbal description, though.

[@cliffordjaysnider7200]

Thank you for this excellent video. You are an ace teacher! Subscribed and I don't even know what else you cover on your channel. :D

[@biskitbass]

Great video and explanation. Thanks a lot! 👍

[@Sperzel]

Squareplugs rock, and so does this channel!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@jezmez68]

Thanks for this. Just started my third one. This was helpful.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@HazeAnderson]

I was using the wrong audio cable for the job! I purchased some Mogami 2319 and maybe now I can actually close the plates flush when I screw them in! 😂thanks!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@clipdump]

great stuff man 👍

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks! Glad I could help.

[@Zappatalist]

Man, THANK YOU for this. I'm just about to start a big build where I wire up like 20 of these, this is mega helpful.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@Guitarsncadillacs]

Thank you!! Just started making some custom 2314’s. Very easy to over-solder but I’ve got a couple completed already!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

It definitely takes some practice to get in and get out quickly and cleanly without going overboard on the solder haha. Keep up the good work!

[@jeffreylbfd]

Great video. I am using the SP500 plug and was trying to put the ground through the small whole on the body hole. NOT HAPPENING. You just saved me a lot of headache. THANK YOU for posting this!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help! I often ignore those small holes on plugs.

[@rgr4929]

Thank you!!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@rgr4929]

@@AlphatoneAudio You really did!! I was trying to pre tin the connector and it was impossible!! Like the solder didn't stick to it... Now with your method there is no need to pre tin it :)

[@jasonthompson5140]

Great video. I noticed you pushed the tip post down. Is it touching the housing? Won’t that short it out?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

It will short out only if too much solder has been applied and it touches the housing. It usually does not touch the housing, and is bent back down after bending it up for easier application. It needs to be bent back down to allow a nice tight closing of the housing.

[@tomzeto]

is there any benefit to having the thicker wire vs thinner 2314?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Plenty os opinion on 2314 vs. 2319 if you search around. Personally, I like 2314 if everything is secured within a pedalboard, and 2319 if you just need general patch cords. The 2319 Is definitely sturdier, and even works well as a guitar cable.

[@slash0abid]

what gauge wire stripper are you using for the inner conductor?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

The inner conductor wire on the 2314 is usually 22AWG. The 2319 inner conductor is closer to a 20.

[@analogblues9606]

I definitely want to use the Sp400 or Sp 500 but having trouble deciding which cable to use on my pedal board. I’m looking at p/f and quality. Thinking Mogami or Lava. Do you or anyone else have a preference? Thanks so much in advance 😊

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Hey sorry for the delay in response. My preference is Mogami because of quality/price point. W2314 for SP400 and W2319 for SP500.

[@bellmusic9348]

Which soldering iron do you recommend?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Can't go wrong with a Weller WES51!

[@trey_dizzle4161]

Does the wire need to pass through the holes?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

In order to work, you technically only need a solid solder joint connecting the leads to the tabs, but I recommend using the through-hole for attaching the hot/tip lead at least. The 360 degree coverage is generally a stronger joint than just laying it over the tab. When soldering the ground, it's easier to wedge it underneath the tab and use a generous amount of solder to form a joint rather than worrying about getting the lead through the hole. Soldering isn't always an exact science, so sometimes it's best to experiment with different ways of making clean, durable connections. Thanks for asking!

[@trey_dizzle4161]

@@AlphatoneAudio ok! thanks for the detailed response!

[@trey_dizzle4161]

@@AlphatoneAudio ok finished my pedal board and had zero issues. I found the left tab to be tedious to get a good pre solder other than that it was easy but time consuming as a beginner. Thanks for the video!

[@MarcAntoineForget]

Hey! I'm getting better at soldering my SP500 plugs but I always get a cracking noise when I move the plug around (plugged in a pedal to test it). Any idea why? My solder job seems pretty clean. Thanks !

[@AlphatoneAudio]

It's probably not your soldering work, but maybe a dirty jack. Get a can of DeOxit D5, spray some onto a cloth and wipe down your plugs, and work them in and out of your jacks a few times. De-oxidizing plugs and jacks can make you orig sound like new!