Learning to install pickups

Hsb

Hsb

Well-known member
So after reading a bunch of posts on here about installing their pickups, my curiosity has been peaked and wanna learn how to do it myself. Ive read a few things on here and Ive learned if I take my time and follow the instructions I should be fine. What are some good resources to learn to solder, Ive never soldered in my life and what is a good recommendation for a soldering iron. Ive read on here I should get at least a 60w iron. Am I better getting a pen or gun style soldering tool, what else should I set myself up with to do a decent job? Im not looking to be the next Rembrandt of soldering, just so I dont end up with a mess or destroying something in the back of my guitar.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

you want a pen style, not gun. 60w is fine, 45w is probably fine too. i used a weller station but a simple 45w iron will work fine
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Pen style is gonna make soldering easy. Make sure you use good quality tin that doesn't contain lead and do not breathe the fumes. Remember to prepare the contact points and wires with solder before you install the wires. Don't use too much solder since it can cause a poor contact. Pressing the iron too long on some components can break them.

Here's a good video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eufuszrOTog
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Shooweri said:
Make sure you use good quality tin that doesn't contain lead . . .
Click to expand...

I've got to disagree with this. Especially as a beginner solderer. All good solder contains some lead. 63/37 is the perfect blend. 60/40 will be easier to find and is close enough.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

jeremy said:
you want a pen style, not gun. 60w is fine, 45w is probably fine too. i used a weller station but a simple 45w iron will work fine
Click to expand...

+1 on the Weller station. I’ve got the same unit. I’ve never turned the heat up past about 2 o’clock. It’s plenty hot.
 
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.

IMG_20190531_111645425.jpg
 
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Re: Learning to install pickups

The 20w gets hot enough to do the job? Ok so got the iron psuedo-figured out, now on to solder, someone mentioned the 63/37 or 60/40 solder, is there any I should avoid? Im guessing the solder made for copper pipe wpuldnt be a good choice. And what about flux, for our application is it needed?
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

I would NOT go for 20W as a beginner.....even as someone more experienced I would hesitate to even consider it.
The hotter the better (to a point) really.
The longer you have to add heat to the component to get it to temp the more likely it is to melt internally as the heat spreads to other areas.
 
Learning to install pickups

I use 60/40 solder.
I always tin both the wires and mounting surface...very important.
Any time you can run the wire through a hole, like in the pots or switch, do so.

I have this soldering station

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153434158107

And one of these to clean the tip

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282819884225

I also have liquid flux which I usually use. I’ve soldered without it and didn’t have any issues but it won’t hurt to grab a small bottle. It lasts forever.
 
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Re: Learning to install pickups

So by tin you mean add solder to the wire, etc? I was looking at that or very similar station on Lowes site, pkus O have a gift card there, so might be the way to go.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Hsb said:
So by tin you mean add solder to the wire, etc? I was looking at that or very similar station on Lowes site, pkus O have a gift card there, so might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

Yes. Look up some YouTube vids on it. It will be talked about. YouTube is how I learned to solder.
You pretty much need to tin.
Because we only have 2 hands you can’t hold the gun, wire and add solder all at once. For example.

If you are soldering your ground wires to the back of the pot:

Tin the wires
Melt a blob of solder on the back of the pot.
Then with one hand heat the solder blob while touching the blob with the ground wires, using the other hand. Once the blob melts push the wires into it.
Remove the iron and keep holding the wires in the blob as steady as possible. Ina few moments the blob will cool and the wires will be embedded in it.....DONE!!

Be careful to keep your hands away from the heat....you’ll burn the crap out of yourself fast if you’re not careful.
I have a pair of hemostats I use so I can keep my hands clear.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Ok, think I can handle, just reading some of the posts I wasnt sure on some of the info I was reading. Appreciate the help fellas. Time to start modding soon.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

You can definitely do this. It’s not as scary as it seems.
It’s actually pretty simple.
I won’t pretend to know how to draw up a schematic for various wiring tricks....I can’t do that. But I can without a doubt follow a schematic and perform the labor.
I know you can too.
I’ll be installing a set of pickups in a guitar tomorrow as well...
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Tin with lead vs tin without lead: I come from Europe, which introduced the Rohs system, so i read enough about that.
If you are beginner and solder once in a year, take a spool of 60/40. If you are mass manufacturer of short lived electronic devices, you should be forced to use lead free solder. We all don't want tons of lead and other hazardous materials in our landfills or burned in power plants.
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Shooweri said:
Pen style is gonna make soldering easy. Make sure you use good quality tin that doesn't contain lead and do not breathe the fumes. Remember to prepare the contact points and wires with solder before you install the wires. Don't use too much solder since it can cause a poor contact. Pressing the iron too long on some components can break them.

Here's a good video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eufuszrOTog
Click to expand...

Actually, NO to everything except to use a pen style soldering iron (not a gun).
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

Hsb said:
So by tin you mean add solder to the wire, etc? I was looking at that or very similar station on Lowes site, pkus O have a gift card there, so might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

That solder station (40 watts) is just ok, not great. I had one and always wished that it had a bit more heat/power. The one I use now has 50 watts but has a design that keeps the iron at the set temp even when soldering lots of metal (back of pot).
 
Re: Learning to install pickups

The best solder to use is (like was said) a 60/40 solder WITH rosin core. The rosin acts as a flux to help the solder to flow (and stick) onto the metal and/or wire. Sometimes I have needed to use an additional flux when the solder just wouldn't flow, but DON'T use the liquid flux. It will get into areas that you don't want it to. Use a paste flux...much easier to control.

Absolutely do not use lead-free solder. It is a nightmare to use even if you are very experienced. Plus you'll need a much higher wattage iron that can get way hotter in order to melt it. 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.
 
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