Search Switchcraft's web site for a 332A . www.switchcraft.com

I've never converted one, but it should be easy.

While the switchcraft that is listed will work for a while, it still has to be screwed on an off everytime the guitar is put in the case. And therein lies the problem. Solder has lead in it and as such it is soft. Every time you screw it on. the solder in both the female AND male connectors is compressed down until you reach a point where it does not make contact at all. This was a problem from day one.

While I never did it, I have heard that the amphenol jack can be replaced with a regular phone jack. If this is true, it would really be the way to go.

I took my 1950 National New Yorker to Gary Brawer and had a standard 1/4" phono jack installed. It cost $43.68, which is probably too much, but they did a great job. The new jack fits exactly where the old screw on connector was and looks original.
Now I have a lap steel I can use instead of a nice looking wall hanger.
I don't think it would be hard to do this yourself if you have any electronic experience. I had it done because I have neither the time nor the inclination to do it myself.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Robbie

The other thing to watch out for is how much of the guitar body is left to have enough wood to install the jack plate screws. Some of the Supros and Nationls I have done comes pretty close. When you are relieving the area for the female jack check the fit with the 1/4 male plug installed. Remember it takes more room when the 1/4 plug is intalled.

Also look for a small nail usually driven in the side of the copper tube that is inserted into the body. Some of the screw on connectors were soldered to this tube and the nail was used to keep the connector from turning in the guitar body. It was not the best method as these sometimes developed some play in them as they were overtightened, thus the problem continued to get worse as time went on.

Just my 2 cents worth, not too hard to do, just take your time and keep checking the fit as you progress.

Thanks to The Forum to help me pass the time. I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon after having surgery to repair my left shoulder. This was the result of falling off a ladder onto concrete from about 7 ft high. Doggone concrete didn't give a bit but the shoulder did. Nothing was broken but some tendons and ligaments had to be reattached. Dr. says about 4 months to full recovery. I see him tomorrow to get some of these bandages removed and discuss when I can start physical therapy.

Since my playing skills are only exceeded by my typing skills it looks like a long haul. This was all typed one handed, so I won't be posting too much but still will be reading.
See you all later.

[This message was edited by Walter Jones on 04 March 2003 at 12:03 PM.]