INstalling pickups for dummies

[JeffB]

any good guides online (or a book/video you can buy) how to do this? what kind of equipment is neccessary? basics of soldering, etc? Totally unfamiliar with it..

I really want to learn how to do this myself so I can start trying out different pickups without paying $30-50 bucks a pop at the local shop...

standard gibson 2 pup wiring...nothing fancy...

 

[tone4days]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

soldering iron - probably 35 watts is ideal ... too little powe and it takes too long to heat up the back of pots ... too much, and you fry stuff

damp sponge

22 gauge stranded wire (a few different colors are ideal)

solder sucker and solder removal wick/braid ...

small wire clippers

small wire strippers

small needle nose pliars

small screwdriver set (phillips and slot head)

ruler (scale) that measures to at least 1/32" (1/64" even better)

heat shrink insulation tubing

electrical tape

pair of extra hands

patience

time

practice soldering on some wires and old components before digging into your #1 guitar ... fight the urge to use alot of solder .. it makes things worse, not better .. keep the soldering iron tip clean by wiping it on the damp sponge before starting each connection .. heat the connection point and let the solder flow onto the joint ... do not heat the solder and expect it to drip onto the joint ... good connections look shiney .. 'cold' connections look dull ... only strip as mcu insulation off the wires as you need, too much stripped leaves conductor exposed that could short out

plan each step thoroughly before starting the job ... make sure you leave enough slack to work, but not soo much that you crowd up the cavity when you are done

check EVERYTHING before you put strings back on the guitar

good luck
t4d

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

Also, for the solder you choose, get the thinnest rosin core electronics solder available. I made the mistake of using the larger stuff meant for bigger electrical connections and it takes a lot of heat for that stuff to melt. The thin stuff melts quickly meaning you'll get good joints and it will prevent you from frying pots and whatnot.

Also the stand meant to hold thing while you solder is nice. If all you have to worry about is the iron in one hand and the solder in the other you can do a nice job. When you have the iron, solder, wire and component yet only two hands, it becomes more difficult. It can be done, but this is a new skill you are learning. Did you learn to hit a baseball off a tee or in the fast pitch cage?

+1 on practice. Strip wires and solder them to old electrical components. You'll learn a lot if your first attempt.

 

[bluey@sunni]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

tone4days and PFDarkside have got it 100% right in that you need the right tools and practice, whilst the electric guitar is a simple thing you can still make the most basic mistakes that drive you to the edge of insanity trying to track a fault down.

Over the years I've done LOTS of electrical/electronic work for guitars/cars and medium voltage switchgear(the stuff that powers the local shopping mall, industry, your suburb.) and every time I have to fix something it just about ALWAYS comes down to someone not taking enough care or forethought.

Currently I'm working in hydraulics and the number of CR*P wiring jobs done by non-electricians is amazing, my boss just can't get it right! As I don't hold an electrical licence I WON'T do it without it being checked/tested by a suitable technician. The last thing you will ever do is get a jolt from a 415V 20A supply you've mis-wired. I live in dread of turning up to work one morning to find the boss electrocuted, but his loss is my gain!

Study the wiring diagrams first and plan your attack, if you fail to plan you will fail!LOL

 

[RW James]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

Good stuff above... but I wanted add: I've been through a lot of soldering irons over the years along with all the accessories - I finally bought the best device for me. I got it at Radio Shack but you could probably find the same thing at a good electronics store.

It's called a Soldering Station. It has a wire cage to hold the hot iron, a tray to hold the wet sponge, and a switch to enable you to choose between 20 watts and 40 watts. It works great for me primarily because everything is at one location and I'm not temptd to balance the hot iron on end of the table and risk burning my arm or something.

I think I'll have to look into the small wire stippers - I've been using the space between my front teeth. :nervous: (probably not the best idea)

As for online guides - there is some good information here (the forums as well as the Seymour Duncan site itself)... there are other sites around that can help such as Guitar Nuts - I've found them very useful.

Good luck,
and have fun,
Rick

 

[JeffB]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

Thanks everyone.....zakkly what kind of info I'm looking for!

 

[Ez74]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

http://www.all-spec.com/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=showitem&w3product=WLC100&w3path=cat&sp=weller

i bought this weller soldering station a while back. it goes from 5-40 watts and they offer a bunch of diffrent style tips to choose from. They make some fancier 1s but this 1 seemed perfect for me. As for what solder to use, i find that the .05 rosin core works great.

 

[Nate]

Re: INstalling pickups for dummies

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that has saved my ass many many times: wire holding stand. Pic will come once I find my camera.