Replacing jack on Sennheiser EW mic

[Mike Watson]

Hi,

I've been using Sennheiser EW wireless lav mics for a few years now with good success. Recently, on the 1/8" end of the mic, the connector has started to fray and I can see the wires. One of the two mics is now shorting out.

I can either buy replacement mics or have new ends soldered on. I don't see the 1/8" jacks with the threaded connectors on them anywhere. Can someone point me to a source for those?

Thank you!

[Alan Kafton]

Google 3.5 mm locking plug. There are cheap versions, but if you want the best quality, go for the Switchcraft.

Go to Switchcraft : Home & type in 35HD Series Locking Plug.

--Alan

[Les Wilson]

If you don't want to replace the ends yourself, Sennheiser will replace the mics at "less than new" cost when you send in the broken ones. Contact their technical support.

[Paul R Johnson]

...but they won't replace it for anywhere near the price of a jack!

Best money saving tip - learn to solder. It really isn't hard, and once you're up to speed think of all the repairs and specialist cables you can do. On ebay, including postage, it's four pounds (7 dollars?) for the connector.

If you really can't do it, find a local radio ham/electronics student and pay them for ten minutes work.

[Rick Reineke]

A standard everyday Shack O' Shame 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS plug will work.. won't lock though.
I usually order locking 1/8" TRS plugs from Markertek , a huge A/V supply house in the Woodstock NY area
TecNec Locking 3.5mm Stereo Audio Plug Black 3.5, 2.5mm Mini Connectors at Markertek.com

Addendum: FWIW, unlike some locking plugs, these TecNec locking plugs can also be used with a standard non-locking socket, as the locking collar retracts enough for full insertion.

[Mike Watson]

Rick, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Mike Watson

Hi,

I've been using Sennheiser EW wireless lav mics for a few years now with good success. Recently, on the 1/8" end of the mic, the connector has started to fray and I can see the wires. One of the two mics is now shorting out.

I can either buy replacement mics or have new ends soldered on. I don't see the 1/8" jacks with the threaded connectors on them anywhere. Can someone point me to a source for those?

Thank you!

You can get metal locking jacks from your local Sennheiser distributor to solder on yourself.

I would leave a very short piece of wire on the cut-off plug so you can use a meter to make sure you know what colour cable goes to which part of the plug. Also - it is important that the ring and sleeve are shorted together as this tells the transmitter that it is a microphone being used.

[Steve House]

A little nomenclature quibble so you order the right thing. A "jack" is the female pluggy-into thing. What is on the end of the mic cable is a "plug."

[Greg Miller]

When training a new crew, I always told them to remember, "Jack is not male."

And there was always at least one guy named Jack on every crew. ;-)

[Mike Watson]

Originally Posted by Steve House

A little nomenclature quibble so you order the right thing. A "jack" is the female pluggy-into thing. What is on the end of the mic cable is a "plug."

Thank you for this tidbit of education. I enjoy not sounding like an idiot in front of people while I am trying to appear to be a professional. You will go down in history with the people who taught me how to say "fresnel", avoid the term "filming" when not using film, and spell the word "satellite". Thank you!