13-PIN PLUG & SOCKET DUST COVERS

Started by billbax, June 24, 2016, 11:22:35 AM

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billbax

#50
Hi All,

The essential 13-pin plug & socket dusts covers are now available in a 30-pack, with 10 of each type.



Prices including shipping:

UK - £10.00

USA & CANADA - $16.70 USD

EUROPE - 14.67 EURO

ELSEWHERE - $16.90 USD

With shipping they work out at about £0.33GBP each, and feel this is a reasonable price to pay for protecting 13-pin plugs & sockets.

You wouldn't believe it, but there's a new youtube movie in progress, showing how to make all three 13-pin dust covers. It also stars Mr. Dirt & Mr. Dust, and this time I pick up a whole load of verbal abuse - most of which will have to be beeped-out :D

Movie preview.


Thanks for viewing,

Bill



http://www.separate-strings.co.uk/13pinprotection.html

mooncaine

#51
I use 'em, and I'll be using 'em some more when I eventually get that SY-1000.

admin

^^ Highly Recomended!

and part of the

GK 13 pin Cable Maintenance Tips.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3132.0

billbax

Hi Everyone,

We all need a bit of cheer right now, and thought these two 'little baskets' might give you a tickle. :D



Bill

HecticArt

A Review in Reverse
(Because I want to know if I should buy something and I like to look at the pictures before I bother reading the details.)

The Verdict:
I would recommend these to a friend.

Bottom Line:
These things are pretty slick! It's a very simple idea that could easily be a DIY project, but why bother? I've thought about making some of these for the last couple of years, but thinking about it doesn't keep dust out of your connectors. Even though he shows you exactly how to make them, the cost is low enough that it makes more sense to just get some of these to protect your equipment.

Product Photos:
My set-up – A GR-55 and a Helix. I dusted everything 2 weeks before I took these pictures, and am pretty surprised how quickly things got dusty again!



(PS. I dusted everything after I took the pictures, because I was grossed out!)

The 13 pin cable I use at home.  I flip it when I switch between my Reverend with the internal GK pickup, and my Guild with the external GK-3 pickup.


My Helix and GR-55 go into separate backpacks when I travel.


I noticed that tabs on the dust covers bind on the sides of the backpacks when they get packed, so I decided to try a modification to try to keep them from getting in the way.


I wrapped a couple of covers in tin foil, bent them into a 90° shape, and held them briefly over a candle and held that shape till they cooled. They kept their shape nicely when I unwrapped them. Now they don't stick out when they go in the back packs and aren't in the way of any cables while playing. The covers that go on cables aren't going to get modified.


The  90° bend works well in and out of the case.

I've been been doing virtual band practice during COVID, and hope to get back together with the band in a few months. When I'm traveling again, I'll have to see how well I'm able to keep track of the covers between set-up, and the end of the night. Mooncaine mentioned putting a hole in the flat end to fasten them to the cable or to keep them from getting lost. I may try something like that when the time comes.

Build Quality:
Pretty decent. Especially considering the price. I can imagine that the leading edges might get a little stretched or bent over time and a lot of use, but there are plenty in the bag, and it can't hurt to get some extras. I can't picture the build quality getting better unless they were injection molded and 4 or 5 times the price.

How Well Do They Work?
They fit nicely, and shouldn't get easily knocked off during transit if you take reasonable care of your gear when you pack up. (If you have this kind of equipment, you probably already do.)

Why Do You Need Them?
My old I.T. director used to tell me two things; "You don't really have your data if you don't have it in at least two places.", and "Dust is the enemy." Those are the two best bits of advice I've ever gotten about protecting my data and hardware.

What they are:
Protective dust covers that have been custom molded to fit your GK, MIDI, & SLR plugs and sockets.

gumbo

....and what's more, they come free with Synth-Linx Jacks !!  ;D ;D

Thanks again Bill, for a great product ...

Cheers,
Peter
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

billbax

#56
Hi HecticArt,

Thanks for your extended and honest dust covers review 8)  You have made many good points and observations, and feel lost for words in writing a full reply. Your photos are excellent, and show exactly why it's important to cover all multi-pin plugs and sockets...enough said.

Bill

https://separate-strings.co.uk/13pinprotection.html

P.S. Like the straight and Codesmart's right-angled red 13-pin dust cover photo 8)


GuitarBuilder

I need about 50 of these...... ;D
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

GuitarBuilder

Quote from: GuitarBuilder on March 17, 2021, 10:57:04 AM
I need about 50 of these...... ;D

Just got my dust cover shipment from Bill!  I love the color coding and perfect fit - it makes finding the correct cover a breeze!  Now all my guitars, cables, and GK boxes are protected!  Awesome!
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

klunk

Another satisfied 13pin dust cover customer: these things are great!
If you are an owner of multiple GR/VG/SY devices and a 13pin cable collector like me (i have twelve 13pin devices and 15 cables!), then these dust covers are a great way to protect your cable-ends, gk and midi inputs from exposure-corrosion and particle-obstructions while the devices are idle; These and a dose of Deoxit once in a while and you should be in for decades of trouble-free use.
i ran out of the white ones fast because i have so many cables, but i found the red ones fit my straight cables: its tight, and you have to press on the locking thingy in to get the cover to slide on, but it works nicely!
Thanks Bill:-)

billbax

Thank you klunk,

This is another 13-pin protection success story!  Good thinking with the red right-angled dust covers fitting a straight 13-pin plug 8)

A red dust cover also fits a straight 13-pin plug


Guys, pm me a request for a dust cover 30-pack, and in no time your 13-pin plugs and sockets will be protected.

Approximate prices including shipping:

UK - £10.00

USA & CANADA - $16.70 USD +

EUROPE - Not shipping to EU at the moment.
Must be something to do with stupid brexit >:(

ELSEWHERE - $16.90 USD +

With shipping they work out at around £0.33GBP each.

Thanks for viewing,

Bill

https://separate-strings.co.uk/13pinprotection.html


Don't let these little baskets get you...

Rusty Kirkland

Hi Bill:    I want to order the 13 pin protection covers but have no luck
using the "EMAIL BILL" links on the separate strings website..

I've tried a couple of web browsers, no luck.
Rusty
    it's fine to email me also             linda.rusty@gmail.com

billbax

Hi Rusty,

Ahh, the perils of using 'mailto' email links today, as they often jump to a generic email registration popup.

Anyway, I've sent you an email, and we'll get this sorted pronto.

Bill 

Dave C09

Hi Bill,

I'd have liked to order a bag of these (an elegantly simple solution to a problem I had not thought of) but as I live in Ecuador & to say the postal system here is "unreliable at best" is an understatement...

I wanted to thank you for the how-to video of making them, which is the approach I'll have to try (if I can find 3/4" heat shrink tubing here...), since I'm not sure when I'll next be travelling to somewhere that I can have them mailed to... I appreciate your generosity in sharing this fantastic idea!

Thanks again,
Dave

billbax

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your comments on the 13-pin dust covers.  You are probably right about the Ecuador postal system :(

If you can get hold of some 19.1mm heatshrink with a 2:1 shrink ratio, you should be able to create all of the various 13-pin dust covers.  It takes practise with a lot of messing just to get the covers right.  The white straight covers are the easiest, while the 13-pin socket covers require tweezers and an extracted 13-pin socket plastic centre!

My supplier here in the uk: 

http://www.rapidonline.com

White Heatstrink straight 13-pin plug dust covers.
https://www.rapidonline.com/unistrand-19-1mm-x-1-2m-heat-shrink-sleeve-white-03-2435

Yellow 13-pin socket dust covers.
https://www.rapidonline.com/unistrand-19-1mm-x-1-2m-heat-shrink-sleeve-yellow-03-2369

Red right-angled plug dust covers.
https://www.rapidonline.com/unistrand-19-1mm-x-1-2m-heat-shrink-sleeve-red-03-2358

Strictly speaking, you don't need to buy all three colours, as you can easily colour code them with a pen or electrical tape.  What's important is the 19.1mm 2:1 supplied heatshrink specification, And the rest is up to you.

Bill

https://separate-strings.co.uk/13pinprotection.html

Dave C09


Rusty Kirkland

... these 13 pin cable/socket covers are GREAT!
I got mine from Bill about a week ago...

I had tried the DIY route and was not happy with the results, went ahead
and ordered Bill's very inexpensive pack....   I'm Very Happy!!
Rusty

billbax

Thanks Rusty! 

The DIY YouTube movie guide route takes a lot of practise, while the 13-pin socket and (codesmart's) right-angled plug molding is tweezers fiddly.

Bill

https://separate-strings.co.uk/13pinprotection.html


gearhound22

I got a set of midi hammer one control cables the other day and they came with the dust condoms!

billbax

#69
At last, a multi-pin cable manufacturer recognising the need for plug protection.  If only we could get them to do the same for the socket?  It's madness protecting a plug, leaving the socket unprotected and exposed.  Replacing a multi-pin cable/plug is inconvenient, although replacing a multi-pin PCB socket is off the scale. :'(

30/13-pin dust covers - peace of mind included.

gumbo

Well...

ONE 'socket' manufacturer has been doing that for a couple of years now....
....and not charging any extra for the privilege.


...I wonder who that could be ?

Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

billbax

Apologies Peter for not mentioning you as a manufacturer, and thanks for supplying a free dust cover with every 13-pin socket. 8)

I have plans to make a new 13-pin plug/socket DIY dust cover instruction movie, and hope 13-pin users gain a simple independent route towards preventing multi-pin plug/socket problems - Codesmart's right-angled plug dust cover included!  With half a dozen thumbs up (likes), I'll post a new DIY plug/socket dust cover movie by Sunday 10th.

Bill

billbax

#72
Hi Everyone,

Don't know about you guys, but unprotected XLR plugs and sockets give me sleepless nights.  A simple solution is an easy to make XLR dust cover, and you only need a length of 19mm diameter heatshrink to get started.  If you don't have a heat gun for heatshrink molding, then you can always opt for a hairdryer....girlfriends preferably, when she's not around. If the dryer burns out, that's hard luck and you don't know anything about it. :-X
Alternatively, get yourself a heat gun  https://www.rapidonline.com/black-decker-kx1650-heat-gun-1750w-84-8843
Suitable heatshrink 19.1mm.  https://www.rapidonline.com/unistrand-19-1mm-x-1-2m-heat-shrink-sleeve-yellow-03-2369

If you want to make an XLR socket dust cover, you will need a couple of cheap plastic XLR sockets, which can easily be broken down to socket depth.
Nice and cheap XLR panel socket. https://www.rapidonline.com/neutrik-nc3faah1-horizontal-pcb-xlr-3-pin-socket-20-2361

Daw interface XLR socket dust covers. Heatshrink material costs works out to £0.05GBP a piece.


XLR plug polished pin-1 ground and two badly oxidized/tarnished signal pins.  Unprotected XLR plug age 43 years.


XLR plug cover...should have done it years ago but didn't.


Female XLR cable connectors need covers too, and hate to think of what's inside of those dark tunnel contacts.
Unprotected XLR female connector age 43 years.



Female XLR connector cover...should have done it years ago but didn't.



Food for thought.

Bill

https://separate-strings.co.uk

AAT65

#73
I'm just a new V-Guitar owner so this is my first experience of working with GK-13 cables and sockets. So far, a new cable, GK-3 and GP-10, no problems — and I intend to keep it that way! So @billbax and his 13-pin covers seem a very cost-effective way to keep those connectors clean.

My GP-10 is already settling in to life in it's new home on my pedalboard and in the pedalboard bag, along with the 13-pin cable: the 13-pin covers are going back on the GP-10, the GK-3 and the GK-13 cable every time they go back into their bags. Bill's service was excellent - he let me choose to skew the order more towards straight connectors since I don't have any right-angle connectors yet, delivered quickly, and was pleasure to deal with. If you don't have 13-pin covers yet, what are you waiting for? You know those 13-pin sounds are worth it... ;)


stingfan24

I recently had an issue with one of my strings (5th) not working when plugged into the VG-8ex. Some helpful folks on this forum helped me identify the issue as a bad cable pin. Swapped out the cables and all is well. To prevent further issues, I contacted Bill and purchased a set of the plug and socket dust covers. Bill is awesome - very responsive, and the covers shipped fast.

In short, they work great. I have pets in the house and they kick up plenty of dust. The sockets fit perfectly over the cable pins and the sockets in the VG system preventing anything from getting in there. Highly recommended to protect your gear and lengthen its lifespan.