Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

[mjarema414]

I was thinking of trying to solder because I like to try different pickups. Unfortunately, I've been taking my guitars to a tech since I am not experienced at this. I do have some tech ability with regard to live sound/wiring and tube guitar amps. What type of iron/solder is needed for the job? Right now I have Seths in one of my SG's and Jazz/JB in the other. I love both but would like to try something in place of the Seths. I feel like I can dig into the Jazz more but like the output of the Seth. Therefore, it'd be convenient to learn the skill rather than taking my guitars to a tech every time I want to try a different pickup. THanks for your help with this. MJ

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

60/40 rosin core solder

 

[blueman335]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

You need a soldering iron, not a gun, as the iron has a pointed tip, and is a lower wattage. The guns get too hot, making the solder liquify too fast & is hard to work with for small connections.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

I just upgraded to a 40 watt from a 30 watt (both radioshack) and the 40 watt is a LOT easier to use on guitar parts. It makes me feel like a pro rather than waiting around for the solder to heat up. The extra 10 watts really makes a difference for me.

 

[John Wymore]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

60/40 rosin core solder

Agreed, and I like the thin light duty stuff from Radio Shack. It's only about 1/32 " in diameter so you can really control how much you apply. Makes it easy to do great looking solder joints. An 8 oz. roll will last for years!!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

I would say though, get a solder with as little tin content as possible, if you want a very long lasting solder job. They sell silver solder, and for the price versus how much solder people tend to use, in my opinion it's probably the best.

 

[lex666]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

I just upgraded to a 40 watt from a 30 watt (both radioshack) and the 40 watt is a LOT easier to use on guitar parts. It makes me feel like a pro rather than waiting around for the solder to heat up. The extra 10 watts really makes a difference for me.

+1

I've had problem soldering to the back of pots with a 30 watt iron. It took me several frustrating attempts to get solder to stick - and when I finally did, its was usually very messy looking.

When I finally switched to 40 watts the solder flowed like glue.

 

[Pushpin&Poetry]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

So it sounds like many people use the Radio Shack iron's. I've heard that the tips break easily on these. Once the tips break, do you buy replacments or just get new irons? As I'm probably going to get a radio shack iron

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

I like the Kester 331 solder. Kind of all purpose stuff. Never liked RS solder.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=370-076

These 3/32 screwdriver tips work well for me in guitars and amps.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=372-122

I use a 40watt Weller soldering iron, and a soldering station with a wet sponge to clean the tip, but I just plug the soldering iron right into the electric outlet. I don't bother with any reduced heat settings.

I try to make the connection solid, even before it's soldered. You don't really want the solder connecting the lead to the terminal.

 

[TSE]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

For the guys having trouble getting the solder to stick to the pots, are you adding flux to the connection before you add the solder? When I started soldering I had no idea what flux or anything for that matter was until I got a job at an electronics factory and they trained me for six months and I got certified in Class 3 hand soldering, ECO(wires), AWG30, and the IPC. So that's where I get my soldering experience. Do you guys think I can get a job as a guitar tech with that?

Also, Home Depot has great soldering irons. I have the one with the orange handle and it is very quality. I paid about $20 for it. Oh, and upon getting your new iron, before turning it on don't forget to tin the tip. I remember when I first started I never did that and I couldn't understand why I was having such a hard time with it! You just put some flux on the tip, tightly wrap some solder around the tip and turn it on holding it over a safe area for the solder to drip(if it does) as it heats up. The tip should be shiny after you wipe it on the sponge, you should add a small amount of solder to the tip before turning the iron off every time because the tinning on the tip will last longer an make your job easier. Good luck.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Soldering - which iron/solder for pickups?

For the guys having trouble getting the solder to stick to the pots, are you adding flux to the connection before you add the solder? When I started soldering I had no idea what flux or anything for that matter was until I got a job at an electronics factory and they trained me for six months and I got certified in Class 3 hand soldering, ECO(wires), AWG30, and the IPC. So that's where I get my soldering experience. Do you guys think I can get a job as a guitar tech with that?

Also, Home Depot has great soldering irons. I have the one with the orange handle and it is very quality. I paid about $20 for it. Oh, and upon getting your new iron, before turning it on don't forget to tin the tip. I remember when I first started I never did that and I couldn't understand why I was having such a hard time with it! You just put some flux on the tip, tightly wrap some solder around the tip and turn it on holding it over a safe area for the solder to drip(if it does) as it heats up. The tip should be shiny after you wipe it on the sponge, you should add a small amount of solder to the tip before turning the iron off every time because the tinning on the tip will last longer an make your job easier. Good luck.

I use flux because the Air Force taught me to do it that way, and it's never failed me. I prefer silver solder because of its very low tin content, because tin tends to cause these microscopic "fingers" that can cause a short or just a failure of some sort over time.