Neutrik NP2 RX

These plugs have an ingenious, time-tested strain relief, which works perfectly every single time, but the terminals inside of them are quite a bit closer to each other than on some of their competitors, so soldering a thicker cable to them is not as easy. It is not hard, but it is harder. Since I had never experienced any issues with these plugs, I ordered six of them for my home-made patch cables. When I opened the bags and inspected them, I noticed that on some of them, the molding of the strain relief was a little less precise than on others, and when I screwed them together, the parts did not fit together as well as before, and sometimes, there was an uneven gap between the metal body of the plug and the strain relief. I tried taking them apart and putting them back together a few times, but the issues persisted. In a moment of creativity, I even tried mixing and matching parts between plugs, but it did not help much. Then, I looked at the packaging the plugs had come in. Curiously, on some of them, it was written “Made in Liechtenstein”, while on others — “Designed in Liechtenstein”. Does that mean the manufacturing has been moved elsewhere? That would explain some of the plugs being lower quality. In any case, I will not be risking my money with the Neutrik plugs anymore. While all the six plugs were still functional, as a perfectionist, I want my cables to not only work but also look nice and tidy. In the past, the Neutrik plugs used to fulfill that request, but not anymore.

I don't use effect pedals, my pedal is a polytune. Straight jack connectors, into & out of my polytune, on the stage floor, get broken easily when I "by mistake" stand on them.

The answer is, remove broken jacks, then fit elbows. They last for years.

The cheapest ones do a good job, but these (a few cents more) do a "very" good job, chrome looks better than plastic (to me) and saves a few bucks on buying new cables.

Local music shops around here, have to order spares like this, then they really cost a lot of money (if/when they arrive), plus the "fuel in the car". Thomann deliver to my door within 3 days.

Great to see somewhere who still carry & sells this sort of guitar and PA spares & accessories for us musicians at sensible prices.

For a few pennies more this system holds the cable much more tightly than the lower grade plugs. There is an internal long cylindrical plastic claw that keeps the cable in place without biting it. In case something pulls the cable it won't strip or break the soldering points.

Simplistic plugs with a pliable metal holder that clamps over the cable can damage the cable when you crimp it or if something pulls the cable. This system is safer and tougher so there is no reason to use another in my opinion. I have a couple Neutrik plugs that I bought almost thirty years ago, I soldered them to several cables over time, and they still work flawlessly. The metal frame is so tough.

Made a set of cables for my brother. I used this on the guitar end on the input cable.

We use tube amps so NOT having to put the amps in standby while changing guitars is invaluable in a live situation.

The 90 degree angle is also great for directing the cable towards the strap so it doesn't need a huge loop to pull your cable between the body and strap. Keeps it tight to the body.

NOTE - if your guitar or bass has the output plug on the front, this may not work for you. You would be better off with the straight version of this connector.

As soon as the plug is removed from the guitar, this connector creates a short which silences the amp. Plug back in, connection is completed. Simple as that. No buzz, no hum, no thump.

Termination is very well designed and built.

I don't know if it's because I'm so used to the Switchcraft plugs, or these are really THAT bad in comparison. The angled version is even worse than the straight: solder joints access is terrible here.

I don't like pretty much everything about them:
1. I don't like how they solder
2. I don't like how they hold the cable
3. I don't like how they are built

Try (better not) to use them with a cable with a diameter on the higher side—something like Klotz AC110. I had to sand off a piece of the plastic (like 2 mm or so) to get the cable to fit reasonably well. The cable is within the specs of what should work with the plug.

I don't understand why everyone is so in love with these plugs.