Krackle Killers™ - cleaning plugs for ¼” audio and musical instrument sockets

[KrackleKiller]

Hi Folks!
My guess is this new product is likely to be of use to a fair few members here.

Introducing Krackle Killers™ - the world’s first purpose-built cleaner plugs for ¼” audio and musical instrument sockets, as used in virtually all electric instruments, effects pedals, amplifiers, pieces of recording equipment and much, much more.



So, what do these Krackle Killers™ really do?

Let’s start by stating the problem I sought to fix when I invented Krackle Killers:

As we all know, open plug sockets allow dirt and corrosion to enter your instrument, amplifier or effects unit.
The result is at minimum an eventually noisy socket, which produces unpleasant, crackly noises when a plug is inserted or moved around (say when you move your guitar and the lead moves within the instrument's output socket).

At worst, it can result in a connection that produces frequent "crackles" or even becomes unreliable.

This is especially so in the case of equipment fitted with an exhaust fan (the fan effectively turns the unit into a vacuum cleaner, sucking crud into the equipment, which once again settles on connector contacts).

Enter Krackle Killers™ – the world’s first purpose-built cleaner plugs for ¼” audio and musical instrument sockets.

Here’s a video where we demonstrate how Krackle Killers work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPj-...ature=youtu.be

Simply moisten a Krackle Killer plug with quality electronic contact cleaner and insert it in the socket to be cleaned. Remove and re-insert it a number of times (the grimier the socket, the more applications might be needed).

In seconds you’ve solved the age-old problem of how to clean your output/input sockets without having to either dismantle or damage them in the process!

Don’t just take my word for it, though. I’d like to offer you a special introductory discount so you can secure a package of Krackle Killers™ and evaluate them for yourself.

Just buy your Krackle Killers through the http://kracklekillers.com site to receive a $2 discount per packet enter the coupon code “FSVPFS2G” to receive the discount.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here http://kracklekillers.com/shop to order your Krackle Killers™ cleaning plugs today!

Thanks very much for your time – I hope once you’ve tried them that you will agree with me that Krackle Killers™ are indeed a great way to “silence the static” and keep your signal clean and clear.

For further information, you’ll find our web-site at: https://www.kracklekillers.com

Regards,
David Benham
CEO, Krackle Killers Inc.

[Enzo]

Good luck. It does directly address an actual need.

I think it is cute the web site template was followed. TOP SELLER, FAN FAVORITE, NEW. all are the same thing.

I use a Qtip myself.

[nosaj]

Good luck. It does directly address an actual need.

I think it is cute the web site template was followed. TOP SELLER, FAN FAVORITE, NEW. all are the same thing.

I use a Qtip myself.

Me I just douse the jack with some CRC and use an guitar cable in/out about 20 times per jack.

Many ways to skin a cat, but this method seems to be more a guitar center type product than a tech product.
They do become pricey at $17 when shipped from Australia
nosaj

good luck with your product and don't forget Krack kills.

[mozz]

Harbor freight

[Leo_Gnardo]

World's first? Maybe the first that you know of Mr. Benham. Search back issues of Recording Engineer/Producer magazine, about 1980, you'll find ads for a similar product. The one offered back then was made of sintered metal (small grains pressed into a shape) and had a port through which solvent could be squirted. The grainy surface of the sintered metal made for a good scrubbing surface, and the pores between the metal grains allowed solvent to travel through, to wash away particles of, um... "crud," as you call it. "Schmutz" around these parts, "mung" in some other places.

Those jack cleaning gadgets, never seen 'em since.

So, it is nice to have such a product available after a 40 ish year absence. Meanwhile we have been struggling with wire brushes, bits of crocus cloth or 600 - 800 grit sandpaper rolled into a cylinder, perhaps other McGyvered solutions. And, there inevitably comes a time a hopelessly corroded jack simply must be replaced.

Thanks for letting us know. Maybe you will rattle up some sales. I'm sure your offer will be welcomed by some MEFsters.

[KrackleKiller]

Good luck. It does directly address an actual need.

I think it is cute the web site template was followed. TOP SELLER, FAN FAVORITE, NEW. all are the same thing.

I use a Qtip myself.

Hi Enzo!
Well spotted. Mind you, seeing as I only have one product at this point, it is indeed all of those things as regards my store's "product range".

I'll see if I can figure out how to edit the template - as you've doubtless observed, I'm a bit crap with WordPress - I was much happier editing such things in Dreamweaver (or even Notepad) back in the day.

As regards using a Qtip to clean sockets, I used to do the same, but found it tediously slow and not anywhere near as effective. Hence the Krackle Killers. Also, your wife's unlikely to steal them to do something make-up related.

Regards,
Dave

[KrackleKiller]

Hi Nosaj,
Your method's fine, but in a surprising number of cases, I've seen persistent crud that survived many jack insertions/removals (with cleaner added) that then came away easily with a couple of insertions of a cleaner-soaked Krackle Killer.

Good point re Guitar Center - these packages are literally intended for retail sale. If anyone wants to buy larger quantities without the packaging, then I can do MUCH better per-unit pricing. Just let me know how many you need!

As regards the pricing, what do you think would be more reasonable? The discount brings it down to $7.95 + $7 Shipping, so $14.95 per packet delivered. Also, if you buy a couple of packs at a time, the shipping stays the same - so $7.95 + $7.95 + $7 Shipping = $22.90, therefore $11.45 per pack delivered.

Thanks very much for the good wishes and your sound advice re Krack.

Me I just douse the jack with some CRC and use an guitar cable in/out about 20 times per pack.


Many ways to skin a cat, but this method seems to be more a guitar center type product than a tech product.
They do become pricey at $17 when shipped from Australia
nosaj

good luck with your product and don't forget Krack kills.

[Enzo]

I ran a pro shop for decades. I think your product is not really aimed at me, I think you are aiming more at the end user, like musicians. I have an arsenal at my elbow, soft brass brushes, the aforementioned Qtips, burnishers, the accumulated tool collection and chemistry set of 60 plus years of electronics. A lil bag of these in a guitar case can pay off for a single guy.

Pricing? You gotta charge something, and shipping is shipping. I mean you could charge a penny for it and it still costs $8. So yeah, get Musicians Friend and Amazon to sell them for you. Selling a lone pack yourself seems prohibitive. (I know, easy for me to say...)

At least here I think you will get honest reactions.

[KrackleKiller]

Hi Mozz,
Wire brushes will indeed remove grime and corrosion from the inside of a socket. They'll also be a good chance of removing any plating that might be on the bearing surfaces of the socket - therefore making it easier for crud to accumulate /stick in there in the future.

It's entirely your call, of course, but I would rather not have to replace sockets any sooner than I absolutely have to.

Note that back when I was buying cheap old instruments from pawnbrokers' auctions and then fixing them up for sale at a budget price, my preferred method of socket cleaning was to wrap some sandpaper around a small phillips-head screwdriver and swirl it in the socket.

Got things working quickly, but doubtless shortened the working life of the socket dramatically. Thankfully I was selling the instruments cheap, so the buyers shouldn't have expected too much from them...

Thanks for your input. Regards,
Dave

[QUOTE=mozz;548180]Harbor freight

[KrackleKiller]

Hi Leo_Gnardo, you've indeed got a point, as I do recall those metal plugs (yes, I'm a bit O-L-D myself).

Mind you, I always saw them as more a fluid delivery system rather than an actual cleaner plug. Metal on metal = meh in my humble opinion. Also, did they DO them in 1/4"? I recall them in Bantam/TT size, but not 1/4".

BTW, here's a modern version (stainless rather than sintered, as far as I can tell) - "Jackfield burnisher (By Vertigo)": https://www.canford.co.uk/JACKFIELD-BURNISHERS

Note that each one costs well over USD$50 (and that they only do them in Bantam and B-Gauge - NOT 1/4").

Nevertheless, I'll re-visit the line to make it more correct. Removing "Mung", eh? How about "scunge" (one of my personal favourites)?

BTW, thanks very much to all - these comments of yours are helping me formulate an FAQ that I hope will cover off most questions folks have.

Regards,
Dave

World's first? Maybe the first that you know of Mr. Benham. Search back issues of Recording Engineer/Producer magazine, about 1980, you'll find ads for a similar product. The one offered back then was made of sintered metal (small grains pressed into a shape) and had a port through which solvent could be squirted. The grainy surface of the sintered metal made for a good scrubbing surface, and the pores between the metal grains allowed solvent to travel through, to wash away particles of, um... "crud," as you call it. "Schmutz" around these parts, "mung" in some other places.

Those jack cleaning gadgets, never seen 'em since.

So, it is nice to have such a product available after a 40 ish year absence. Meanwhile we have been struggling with wire brushes, bits of crocus cloth or 600 - 800 grit sandpaper rolled into a cylinder, perhaps other McGyvered solutions. And, there inevitably comes a time a hopelessly corroded jack simply must be replaced.

Thanks for letting us know. Maybe you will rattle up some sales. I'm sure your offer will be welcomed by some MEFsters.

[mozz]

If i'm using a brass brush, it's 1, 2 done. I know what plating is and i know it's purpose. What also works is a gun cleaning bronze or brass brush, you have many sizes to choose from. If i'm working on a very old amp, no chemical is going to clean the inside sleeve corrosion, you need mechanical abrasion.

As was said, it's aimed at the musician or his roadie tech who wants a quick fix.

[nosaj]

Hi Leo_Gnardo, you've indeed got a point, as I do recall those metal plugs (yes, I'm a bit O-L-D myself).

Mind you, I always saw them as more a fluid delivery system rather than an actual cleaner plug. Metal on metal = meh in my humble opinion. Also, did they DO them in 1/4"? I recall them in Bantam/TT size, but not 1/4".

BTW, here's a modern version (stainless rather than sintered, as far as I can tell) - "Jackfield burnisher (By Vertigo)": https://www.canford.co.uk/JACKFIELD-BURNISHERS

Note that each one costs well over USD$50 (and that they only do them in Bantam and B-Gauge - NOT 1/4").

Nevertheless, I'll re-visit the line to make it more correct. Removing "Mung", eh? How about "scunge" (one of my personal favourites)?

BTW, thanks very much to all - these comments of yours are helping me formulate an FAQ that I hope will cover off most questions folks have.

Regards,
Dave

1/4 vertigo burnisher https://daleproaudio.com/products/ve...urnishing-tool
nosaj

[Leo_Gnardo]

yes, I'm a bit O-L-D myself. - - - Removing "Mung", eh? How about "scunge" (one of my personal favourites)?

O-L-D ? You bet! Old enough to have co-written the first published report on ScUNGe, along with a couple of fellow chemistry & physics students, around 1970. Scandium Uranium Nitrogen Germanium. One of the most perfidious pollutants you could ever imagine. And this was in New Jersey, where "crud" is just the tip of the pollution iceberg, so to speak. Same group* discovered the microflotz particle, which CERN seems to have picked up on nearly 50 years later, they call it the Higgs boson. Densest in the family of subatomic particles, and almost totally nonreactive. We found ours after a series of experiments, sitting in the bottom of a cloud chamber we made out of a castaway aquarium tank. Sitting there, doing nothing. As they do. Just one more of the amazing and unpredictable things found in Joisey. Here's another:



Some "urban legends" are real...

* : One of the researchers went on to fame, and I hope fortune. He's on the IgNobel Prize committee. Deservedly so! True story. I'll swear on a stack of Uncle Floyd videotapes.

[Enzo]

Wire brushes will indeed remove grime and corrosion from the inside of a socket. They'll also be a good chance of removing any plating that might be on the bearing surfaces of the socket

I maintain that if my soft brass brush takes plating off a jack, that plating was already loose.

[Mick Bailey]

There used to be a fibre, plug-shaped cleaner you moistened with an enclosed bottle of what may have been isopropyl alcohol. They came in regular 1/4" sizes, 1/8", as well as Bantam (GPO/B) sizes. I was a press telegraphist in the late 70s and we had ex-RAF bantam patch bays for patching teleprinters and tape readers to leased lines. We used the fibre cleaners to freshen up the sockets. I also remembered the sintered types. They also did a sintered relay contact spatula that could have doubled up to file horses teeth.

A nice idea though for end-users - guitars especially. The tip connection is usually pretty much self-cleaning but the grounding often suffers on older (especially unused) instruments. You get that greasy+ oxidised surface on nickel I have my own methods - mainly small-bore rifle brushes in various grades and specialist contact cleaner. By the time a socket needs cleaning to this degree I suspect any switching contacts would have gone south as well. Also, old sockets that have corroded will sometimes corrode between the crimped assembly where the tube is flared over onto the ground connection.