Where to get the silver solder that S.D. uses on pickups

[JB6464]

Where can i get that silver solder Duncan uses when they solder pickup covers on?
I've looked everywhere and all i se is that dull 60/40 Roslin stuff.

 

[Artie]

IMHO, you really don't want to do this. The purpose of adding Silver to solder is to raise its melting point. This is great for circuit boards that live near jet engines or ovens, but not much else. I wouldn't think you'd want, or need, that extra heat around a pickups thin wire and plastic bobbins.

Just my 2-cents worth.

 

[beaubrummels]

I think I got it at either Home Depot in the tools section?, or maybe an electronics place, like Radio Shack? Wherever you can find electronics hobby stuff, I'd bet you could find it.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I agree with Artie...you really don't want to use silver solder. It takes WAY more heat to melt than 60/40 which could damage many of the components in a guitar. Heck, people all the time are frying pots just trying to use 60/40.

 

[jeremy]

usually they fry pots cause they dont have a hot enough iron so they leave it on there too long, but i agree, you dont need silver solder.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

60 tin / 40 lead or 63 tin / 37 lead. Home Depot, etc. or Amazon.

The latter is called the "eutectic" alloy, which has the lowest theoretical melting point and goes from liquid to solid or solid to liquid without any intermediate "mushy" phase.

Don't use silver solder or any "lead free" solders. Silver solders have a higher melting point and higher strength (usually) but you don't need those properties on a guitar. Lead free solders are a PITA to work with, usually crack or fail electrically after a while and don't mix well with lead / tin. And unless you're eating the stuff or soldering all ray every day, the tiny amount of lead exposure won't hurt you.

 

[JB6464]

Thanks everyone for the comments.
I bought a new soldering iron and stayed with the 60/40 stuff, and the joints came out nice and shinny.
So, I'm guessing my old iron was losing its heat and that's what was causing the issues, not enough heat.
Thanks Again!

 

[Blille]

IMHO, you really don't want to do this. The purpose of adding Silver to solder is to raise its melting point. This is great for circuit boards that live near jet engines or ovens, but not much else.

You clearly underestimate how hot rock and roll can get.

 

[Artie]

You clearly underestimate how hot rock and roll can get.

I get it. You only solder for Slash.

 

[Blille]

I get it. You only solder for Slash.

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