Removing Pickup Cover...

[pound]

When I removed the cover on my bridge pup, I had to use a tool to drill through the solder holding the cover on, because my iron just would not get hot enough to do the job.

I'm thinking about taking the cover off of my neck pickup now, and have three questions:


1) If I try to use my iron, could I damage my pickup by heating it for too long?

2) Will I cause damage to my potentiometer if the pickup is still wired to it while I heat the joint?

3) Are there any helpful tips you can give towards the process in general?


Thanks.

 

[greco]

Re: Removing Pickup Cover...

If you do a search you will find that this topic has been discussed many times.

There might even be something in the vault.

1) If you use an iron, you need a fairly high power (45 watts or so) soldering iron ......and the pickup WILL act as a heat sink, so you should try to be quick. It is also helpful to have a solder sucker OR copper braid to remove the molten solder. It will still flow along the pickup cover/pickup seam and this can be really frustrating.

2) NO...one less worry

3) Rather than using a soldering iron, many forumbro's suggest CAREFULLY cutting the solder joint with a Dremel tool.

Good luck.

Dave

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Removing Pickup Cover...

3.) I use a box cutter to cut through the solder joint. No mess, no heat, no dust--done in 5 seconds.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Removing Pickup Cover...

I've use a Dremel tool with a miniature sawblade to zip right through it. For some reason, the solder they use at the factory is stubborn with a soldering iron. It doesn't melt easily.