Learning to install pickups

[Aceman]

Re: Learning to install pickups

45 watt Pen style is great midline. Too cool is tough to use, and you can cook things. Too hot can be easy....but you can cook things. 45 is a nice midline wattage.

as said - YouTube is your friend.

80's M is using a cool clamp. I find a 3rd hand tool with magnifier is very helpful.

Take your time. Very little that you can't undo, or redo until it works.

 

[Artie]

Re: Learning to install pickups

If you wire up 100 guitars you won't get enough lead in the environment to even detect and certainly not enough to hurt you at all. In other words, the lead exposure is less than minimal using lead/tin solder for what you will be doing.

Not only that, but guitars don't often end up in landfills. Even cheapy's get handed down from generation to generation. I have several Tiesco/Silvertone/Dano's that will never fade away.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Learning to install pickups

Not only that, but guitars don't often end up in landfills. Even cheapy's get handed down from generation to generation. I have several Tiesco/Silvertone/Dano's that will never fade away.

Yes, good point.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Learning to install pickups

45 watt Pen style is great midline. Too cool is tough to use, and you can cook things. Too hot can be easy....but you can cook things. 45 is a nice midline wattage.

as said - YouTube is your friend.

80's M is using a cool clamp. I find a 3rd hand tool with magnifier is very helpful.

Take your time. Very little that you can't undo, or redo until it works.

Yes. "Mistakes" are only temporary and can usually be corrected very easily. Nothing scary here.

Just make sure you protect your guitar's finish while soldering. You don't want to accidentally touch your finish with the iron, or have solder drop on it. That can't be easily fixed!

 

[TinPan]

Re: Learning to install pickups

I use a Weller 20watt iron I got for 19 bucks at my local ace hardware store, it's great.

These little clamps are my best trick to offer.

View attachment 98754

BOOM! Great idea, I never thought of it, and always wish I had some kind of "holder", one added tip here I always put painters tape around the work area to help prevent scratches and solder splash's.