What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

[nuntius]

Ok I've found the schematic I need, I just need to know what tools I need for the job (first time :newangel)

What wattage soldering iron etc...

Thanks in advance

[tone4days]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

the 40 watt irons seem to get rave reviews ... you'll want a 'solder sucker' to get the old solder off cleanly ... a damp sponge to keep the tip clean ... some heat shrink tubing can be helpful to make a nice clean job and prevent shorts ... if you can manage to have a friend help you, so much the better .. soldering is really a 3 or 4 handed job .. if not, they make these little alligator clip, 'robo hand' stands that could help ... i always try to have more than one of the 'little things' (pots, caps, etc) around in case i screw up and fry one ..

i always forget the type of solder that the experts recommend, so i'll defer to an expert who'll be along shortly

you also need plenty of unhurried time, and a well-lit space to stretch out ... nothing bugs me more when i am trying to do a project like this than being hurried or cramped or having to squint into the shadows ...

good luck
t4d

[nuntius]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

Well the extra hands won't be a problem, me and my dad are gonna attempt it together (gives me someone to blame when it doesnt work!! )

I've never heard of a solder sucker are they expensive?

[tone4days]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

not too expensive .. they make simple ones that are really just a rubber ball with a little tube-like opening .. like this

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F009%5F007%5F004&product%5Fid=64%2D2086

they make more elaborate ones (that arent too costly) that create a gentle vaccum with a spring loaded pump and a button to push when you want it to draw the heated (wet) solder away ...

here in the states we have 'radio shack' and i bought this one there and it works great .. i suppose you might find an equivalent over there ...

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F009%5F007%5F004&product%5Fid=64%2D2098

cheers
t4d

[Artie]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

63/37 is considered "perfect". 60/40 is more than adequate. Kester is a great brand, but the stuff they have at Radio Shack is perfectly fine. Don't get anything too thick. Thin is better for guitar work.

[Fusion1]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

63/37 is considered "perfect". 60/40 is more than adequate. Kester is a great brand, but the stuff they have at Radio Shack is perfectly fine. Don't get anything too thick. Thin is better for guitar work.

Artie did you ever try the newer no-clean flux Kester 63/37? Just wondering how that would work compared to the rosin flux type.

Also what diameter are you using 15mm, 21mm, 31mm?

Thanks.

[Artie]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

Artie did you ever try the newer no-clean flux Kester 63/37? Just wondering how that would work compared to the rosin flux type.

Also what diameter are you using 15mm, 21mm, 31mm?

Thanks.

I've never actually heard of this, but if its made by Kester, its probably a good product.

I'm not sure what the diameter is. I'll find out Tuesday.

[Kent S.]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

63/37 is considered "perfect". 60/40 is more than adequate. Kester is a great brand, but the stuff they have at Radio Shack is perfectly fine. Don't get anything too thick. Thin is better for guitar work.

You know, everybody likes the thin diameter stuff, I'm the only one that likes the larger diameter solder ... but most seem to agree that the thinner is easiser to work with ... also, get the lead free stuff, just as good, without the added health hazards ... it's availble in silver solder version also.
You can also use desoldering braid (sometimes called solder wick) it kinda soaks up the old solder, some people find that easier to work with than a sucker. A pair of hemostats work well as a heatsink, and for holding the stuff, most electronics places carry those pretty cheap to, the curved nose ones are better. Wire cutters and wire strippers you may need also, but you probably have those laying around somewhere anyway.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What equipment do i need to swap pickups?

Black positive, green & silver twisted ground, red/white twisted together and taped off, unless you have a coil split switch. Soldering iron, solder, soldersucker (optional).
The most important thing is a towel to lay over your guitar's top, while you handle tools and melted solder. Soldering is the easy part. Getting a new humbucker into the ring w/springs/bolt is the hard part, which you'll get better at every time.

I do it in this order.
Take off the back plate and unsolder the pickup, taking note of what you've done.
Slack or remove strings, unscrew the pup ring, and pull pickup out.
Put new pickup in the ring. Feed cable back through the guitar. Screw it down.
Strip pup cable. Solder the green/silver & solder red/white. Tape the red/white down.
Solder the black and ground leads. Tune guitar to make sure it works.
Put backplate back on.