HELP! Question on 3 way selector and Pickup install

[marcg71]

Could really use some insight here. I am relatively new at installing pups and doing my own soldering of components (caps, pots, etc). I installed two new pups yesterday and the bridge pickup had a relatively short single cable, so once installed, the metal grounding sleeve would touch the 3 way selector. After some review, checking my tone & volume pots, and selector, I noticed the middle position wasn't working. After review, when I would pull the cable off of the selector everything worked. So I removed the the work put a rubber sleeve and reinstalled and everything worked. I am still "uneasy" about the install as I am trying to improve my solder joints(ensuring they are not cold solder and have a strong a connection). So my questions are as followed::help:

1) was the interaction with the ground and 3 way normal OR did I perhaps have a bad ground solder joint (there was no noise when using the pups if this helps)?

2) should I always use the rubber sleeves in that area where there is potential for unwanted connections (but I think that may depend on the answer to number 1)?

Thanks,
Marc

 

[hermetico]

Re: HELP! Question on 3 way selector and Pickup install

If a ground touches a hot, you get a shortcut and, therefore no sound. So, yes, it's "normal".
When you are soldering, be sure to leave the peel section of the wire as short as possible to avoid to accidentally touch a closer lug or case or whatever else that would create a shortcut.
A long peeled thread can touch other parts when assembling back the pickguard or pushing down wires to install the cavity's tape.
When you solder resistors and/or caps, put a heat shrink tube in each leg (before soldering), to avoid those legs to accidentally touch any other unwanted part.
If you don't have heat shrink tubes, you can always use the good (ugly but functional) electric tape to protect every peeled section.
Or you can throw some drop of sylicon or glue to isolate them.

 

[marcg71]

Re: HELP! Question on 3 way selector and Pickup install

If a ground touches a hot, you get a shortcut and, therefore no sound. So, yes, it's "normal".
When you are soldering, be sure to leave the peel section of the wire as short as possible to avoid to accidentally touch a closer lug or case or whatever else that would create a shortcut.
A long peeled thread can touch other parts when assembling back the pickguard or pushing down wires to install the cavity's tape.
When you solder resistors and/or caps, put a heat shrink tube in each leg (before soldering), to avoid those legs to accidentally touch any other unwanted part.
If you don't have heat shrink tubes, you can always use the good (ugly but functional) electric tape to protect every peeled section.
Or you can throw some drop of sylicon or glue to isolate them.

Thank you so much for the insight and suggestions! Back to the woodshed.