Where to buy Cliff jacks?

[mbratch]

I'm interested in getting some genuine Cliff jacks. I can find a couple of places that have the switching mono jacks (which I need), but I also need non-switching mono jacks for speaker output. I can't seem to find the non-switching versions anywhere.

Where can I buy these?
Thanks

[frankeg]

Have you tried Antique Electronics Supply (AES)?

[Steve Conner]

I don't think I've ever seen a non-switching Cliff jack. I usually see the switching ones, and the switch contact lugs are left disconnected if they're not needed.

The same jack style is made by several mfrs. including Neutrik.

[guitarmike2107]

You can turn a cliff style switching jack into a non-switching jack by ignoring the switch contact or by removing the switch contact.
In the same way you can also turn a stereo jack into a mono Jack by removing the middle tabs or just ignoring them, no harm done.

Its easy to do and if you buy the switching stereo type then you can always have the option of using the switch if you needed too or using the stereo function/additional switch.

Also what is a genuine cliff jack, and is that Cliff UK or Cliff USA, who both source their parts from factories in the east. i.e. they are not made in the USA.

cheers

Mike

[dai h.]

from what I've read (from an apparent "insider") :

Marstran.com • View topic - get back jack

Cliff UK jacks were made in UK (maybe this has changed since?).

[mbratch]

Duh.... I got so stuck on the specific app, I didn't think about just "not connecting" the switch of the switched version. :-/ I'll just go that route. Thanks guys.

[guitarmike2107]

“From the UK” and “Made in the UK” are not the same thing, admittedly when I spoke to them about ordering a few hundred I had the option of how many contacts were fitted and whether I fitted them myself or if they fitted them. But that’s just an assembly process, and the parts could be sourced from Asia. I don’t know, but both companies used to be one and the same. Both the websites are quite informative about the issues.
if you phone them just don’t mention the other company as they get very suspicious.

[Ken Moon]

Without getting into the merits of the Cliff jack controversy, here are a few facts:

The Cliff UK jacks have "UK" stamped on them, and are part number S4BNB, or S4/BNB - Newark/Farnell sells these. Some consider these the "genuine" Cliff jacks.

http://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/jacksockets/S4.pdf

The CLiff USA jacks, which are sold by AES and most others, are part number S4-1298.

CLIFF USA - Electronic Components. Manufacturing jack plugs, sockets and optical components.

As stated above, Neutrik also makes them, and Mojo offers some with chrome nuts and gold-plated solder lugs and switches.

I bought a zillion of the UK ones a few years back and haven't run out quite yet, and they've been very reliable, so I'll probably stick with them.

[Ken Moon]

I can't seem to find the non-switching versions anywhere.

Where can I buy these?
Thanks

Cliff makes non-switching versions - you can get them at MCM (not totally sure, but these may be the UK ones):

Cliff Electronic Components Unswitched SNS Chrome Nickel Mono 1/4 in Sockets | CL1282A | Cliff Electronic Components

[Ken Moon]

Cliff UK also uses part number CL1298A instead of S4/BNB on this web page (you have to click on the picture of the jack with the chrome nut):

CLIFF Electronic Components - Professional Jack Sockets

MCM Electronics is a subsidiary of Newark/Farnell, so these ones MCM sells (and the price is good) might be the UK ones:

Cliff Electronic Components Switched BNB Chrome Nickel Mono 1/4 in Sockets | CL1298A | Cliff Electronic Components

Too bad they don't have a pic of the bottom of the jack - the only other clue I find on the MCM page is the reference to Cliff Electronic Components, which is the UK company name, but it doesn't say 'ltd' - this is getting way too confusing!

[Enzo]

Wow.

SOmetimes I flip a jack over and say "Hmmm, this one's a Cliff." Sometimes I flip one over and say, "Hmmm, this one's a Rean."

Most times I don;t flip them over at all. I have to say I never cared who made them. All I care about is whether the legs are centered or offset front or back, and I have some that have extended legs for I forget what now.

And if the offset isn;t right, it is usually a matter of either adding or eliminating the fiber spacer/washer.

[rf7]

I talked to the US distributor for Cliff UK and currently only MCM and Newark are US dealers. But, you can purchase jacks in boxes of 100 directly from the US distributor at www.cliffinc.com

[rf7]

I just found out that ARS Electronics carries the Cliff UK jacks.

ARS Electronics

[jrfrond]

Cliff connectors are nothing special, and you can just replace them with the comparable Re'an/Neutrik jack. If you need mono and all you have is stereo, just clip the two middle pins and leave the contacts intact. Why? The extra contact grips the plug tighter. This is an old trick I learned a long time ago for passive guitars. If you use a stereo jack, the plug won't pull out so easily, and I always connect the ring and sleeve terminals for a redundant ground connection.

[Enzo]

Amen, I just stuffed a couple of those jacks in a small speaker crossover board last night. I only have the TRS in stock, so snip snip, off come the unused ring contact legs so the jack will fit into the holes.