Help with installation -- solder paste?

[Ashane]

I got my Dimarzio Air Norton and Seymour Duncan TB6 pickups yesterday, and I'm in the process of installing them. The TB6 is pretty much done; I just need to solder two wires to my 3-way switch as a ground. The Air Norton needs to be soldered to the neck part of the switch, a couple wires soldered and taped, and grounded to the switch. Here are some problems I've encountered:

1) I cannot get the wires to bond with the side of the switch. Ever. At all. I remember having a lot of problems with this before when I was putting in a new switch. Should I get some solder paste to help with the bonding? Should I use something else to ground the wires?

2) The Air Norton in the neck slot is crooked, the bridge side being a bit higher. I've pushed it, but no luck. Could this be a confliction with the pickup wire, springs, a crevice in the wood?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Lightning]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

1) Solder flows to the hot mass. This is a drag cause with the exception of the iron tip the larger mass that takes the longest to heat is what your soldering to. Be patent, some will say tin your lead but IMO this makes the lead hard to secure around the fragile lug. Apply the heat to the lug and feed the solder to the lug.

2) A bigger hammer? (LOL) Sorry can't help there.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

2) The Air Norton in the neck slot is crooked, the bridge side being a bit higher. I've pushed it, but no luck. Could this be a confliction with the pickup wire, springs, a crevice in the wood?

Any help would be appreciated.

This happens to me sumtimes. Normally its due to one of the little legs on the Pickup being slightly bent. So the screw threads into the leg and since the leg is bent a bit it makes the pickup set crooked. Its a really easy fix though. Just take the pickup out get some needle nose pliers. Take a close look at the legs of the pickup. See if you can see where either is bent a bit, and use the pliers to bend it back to the correct shape. If it doesn't look bent. Then odds are theres a slight spaceing difference between the legs on the pickup and the holes in yer mounting ring (or pickguard). In which case just bend the legs little by little till you get it setting in the slot the way you want it to. It might take a few trys but its not really anything to hard to do.
Or if ya don't wanna do any of those things. Just don't do anything at all. Its not really a big deal.....Ed

 

[Lightning]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

Ashane,
No ones paying us to do this, confirmation of your success is the gratification we need!

 

[take2]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but Lightning do you know if there is a certain type of solder that should be used - I have heard that the type of solder used makes a difference. I am soon to try my hand at this wiring business so this sure would be helpful.....thanks

 

[Lightning]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

Dude your asking some one who's highest test score never exceeded the guy sitting next to him but I use 60/40 and despite the rice crispy guys (snap, crackle and pop) I somehow get my point across (LOL).

 

[Tony_H]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but Lightning do you know if there is a certain type of solder that should be used - I have heard that the type of solder used makes a difference. I am soon to try my hand at this wiring business so this sure would be helpful.....thanks

There are different types of solder based on the tin/lead ratio of the alloy. My knowledge about this is not that great.
But one thing I know for sure is you should use rosin-core solder, not the acid-core variety. The solder sells in coils of hollow wire (like pipe) the inside of which is filled with rosin. The rosin helps the solder to stick to the areas you need to attach it to.
Tony

 

[stratsandaks]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

Yes, use rosin core solder or a non corrosive flux like oelaic (sp?) acid. Don't use any flux that contains zinc chloride, it will destroy your wiring in no time.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

You need to have two soldering tools. One pencil point iron for soldering to terminals and one bigger iron for soldering to the back of pots, switches, etc.

Also, you need to sand and prep each surface...especially when soldering to the backs of pots or switches to remove any kind of finish or whatever that might be on the item you are trying to get solder to flow and attach to. You need bare, clean metal.

Lew

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

also you may not be heating the switch enough. to help with the heat transfer, put a small bead of solder on the tip of your iron. and then apply the beaded tip of the iron on the area you want to solder. leave it there for a couple of seconds and then apply your solder. put as much as you need but not too much (you should have a concave curve around the wire in the lug, but enough that it bonds on both sides). remove the solder first then the iron. don't leave the iron on pots too long, being that they burn up quickly. hope this helps.

 

[Lightning]

Re: Help with installation -- solder paste?

Solder is Radio Shack part # 64-001 ($4). it is .062 inches in diameter. A half ounce will last you years. While you are at Radio Shack get a solder removal wick ($4).