Solderless is such a nice thing

[donaldr]

I have a set of EMG Fat 55 in my Ibanez SZ520 (a PRS copy). I really like them but I find the bridge pickups a little too vintage for my taste. I ordered the EMG Super 77 and received it yesterday.

Using EMG solderless connectors, it took me less than 5 minutes to replace the pickup and test it. I didn't even open the control plate.

I can't imagine in 2025 why all pickups are not using that same system. Those that are use to swap pickups on a regular basis may don't find it that problematic to desolder/resolder, but it's not the case for the majority of guitar players. I'm installing/modding the electronics in my guitars myself, so I know how to solder. But it's always a pain and YMMV.

EMG also has a wiring kit for passive electronics, and all the parts available separately. I'm looking to convert my Fender Strat from SSS to HS and I think I'm gonna go that way (it currently has an Obsidian Wire kit).

Not having to deal with a solder iron may lead to guitar players trying more pickups/pots/switches/configuration IMHO. Anyway, swapping a pickup with solderless connectors was a positive experience.

 

[beaubrummels]

That's why I routinely solder in a mini terminal strip in my guitars so I can do 10-minute swaps.

 

[donaldr]

Is your terminal just for the pickups or do you use it as a bus (pickups/switch/output/power) like EMG?

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Using that bus, replacing a bad volume pot or swapping a 5-position to a 3-position switch will take less than 2 minutes.

 

[Chistopher]

Gibson tried this in like 2013 and everyone hated them for it. GFS currently does it and most people don't use it.

The ultra purists will hate it because it's different. People that just want to play their guitar and don't change their pickups more than once per guitar will think it's a gimmick that will require they redo the wiring on their whole instrument to accept a pickup rather than just changing two wires. Most people dont care about modding their guitars, especially expensive ones. These three demographics are much larger than a pickup forum would have you believe. So why would a company spend extra money on a feature that only a few people want, and might make their instruments less desirable to certain people?

Also, standardization makes it an issue. Gibson and GFS use two very different standards. If SD did a quick connect system, they would have to either create a 3rd standard, and try to use this to force brand loyalty, or they would have to adopt another companies standard and this would cause it's own problems. For example, if SD copied Gibsons standard, would they also copy Gibsons color code and and pinout? What if they did and Gibson later on changed their standard, would SD update their stuff to follow suit. This isn't so much an issue with soldering, but the easier an install is, you have to start considering cases where less skilled people do the work, at the risk of it looking bad on your company if the user makes a mistake.

The only case where it makes sense is EMG. You have to yank all the components out of most guitars to make it accept EMGs anyway, so having fancy looking quick connect harnesses both creates the image of a super modern product as well as reducing the amount of user error in installing the product. Most guitar players are not hobby electricians, so spending an extra few bucks so their customers don't have to pay for an installation is a good idea to move more units. Standardization isn't a problem either for EMG because they have entirely cornered the market on active guitar pickups.

Their are certainly ways to get a quick connect harness that's agnostic to pickup brand if you want one, but I don't think it will be OEM equipment any time soon. Their was a forum user here a while ago who designed a pretty cool system he let me test out, I'll try to pull up the info on that if you are interested.

 

[donaldr]

I have a Gibson Les Paul with the quick connectors, it's totally different because you need to use their PC board where the pots are already soldered. It's not like the EMG solderless system. I'm ok with the '61 Burstbuckers in mine but I would have tried Seymour Duncan offering if they have offered Gibson quick connect. They don't, their choice.

Anyway checking some EMG threads it's really clear that the solderless system is favorable to try more pickups and/or different configurations.

I was not saying SD should introduce their own solderless system, they're already EMG compatible with Blackout if I'm not mistaken so why not continue with the full catalog. Why not have all pickups manufacturer embrace one system? I think the EMG system is brillant as you can use/mix and match whatever component you want, not just pickups.
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[Mincer]

Why not have a choice? Make a universal system that could be soldered, or solderless. I'd think that making guitar wiring open to more people can only be a good thing.

 

[Chistopher]

Why not have all pickups manufacturer embrace one system? I think the EMG system is brillant as you can use/mix and match whatever component you want, not just pickups.
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https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Molex/50-57-9003/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtsLRyDR9nM13kGx0WjOXXXk%2FHE1gNdx7Q% 3D

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Molex/50-57-9002?qs=hSmm4fxMIuPN0%2B32zyqW%2Bw==

You can use emgs system with any pickups by installing one of these two connectors on your pickup leads, depending on if it's active or passive.

 

[Artie]

I don't mind solderless, but like any mechanical assembly, they require periodic maintenance. Since metal-to-metal contacts can corrode/oxidize/tarnish, the pins should be treated with something like Deoxit or similar. Then, since we tend to keep guitars 10, 20, 30 years, they need to be periodically unplugged, treated, and plugged back in.

If done properly, soldered connections tend not to need those steps.

 

[Mincer]

I've used 2-prong Molex connectors for the jack on a Strat, so I could build loaded pickguards and swap them out quickly. I think Ernie Ball used to do this on their pickguards, too. While connectors do certainly require some maintenance, I'd bet that most people don't keep guitars for 20-30 years. But any system that invites more people to hot-swap guitar electronics would be a good one. It wouldn't have to replace soldering- if you like to solder, or if you love soldered connections, you could still do that.