StrangeDay
New member
If everything is connected in the right place, but some of the old solder remained on the connections, and the new solder didn't run "smooth and shiny," will that affect the sound in any way? :smack:
Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
- Thread starter StrangeDay
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rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
It's possible. The best thing to do is test each of your solder joints with a multimeter. If you get abnormally high resistance readings, resolder that joint. If your readings are normal and everything works as it should, then you're probably okay. Sometimes you can get away with sloppy soldering jobs, other times not. My first attempt at installing pickups was a mess, with huge globs of dull-looking solder everywhere. But it worked and sounded fine.
You can prevent this from happening in the first place by using a 40 watt soldering iron for all your guitar work. No matter how good my technique was, I always had trouble with dull-looking solder joints, and I could never get solder to flow on to a pot casing when grounding. Upgrading to a 40 watt iron made all the difference in the world. Now all of my soldering jobs are works of art.
Ryan
It's possible. The best thing to do is test each of your solder joints with a multimeter. If you get abnormally high resistance readings, resolder that joint. If your readings are normal and everything works as it should, then you're probably okay. Sometimes you can get away with sloppy soldering jobs, other times not. My first attempt at installing pickups was a mess, with huge globs of dull-looking solder everywhere. But it worked and sounded fine.
You can prevent this from happening in the first place by using a 40 watt soldering iron for all your guitar work. No matter how good my technique was, I always had trouble with dull-looking solder joints, and I could never get solder to flow on to a pot casing when grounding. Upgrading to a 40 watt iron made all the difference in the world. Now all of my soldering jobs are works of art.
Ryan
Last edited:
StrangeDay
New member
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
Thanks so much, Ryan! That makes sense. I am just curious because my Custom Custom (A2 magnet) sounds so BRIGHT in my Tele. I didn't make a soldering mess, but the solder was very dull and globby on the connections.
Thanks so much, Ryan! That makes sense. I am just curious because my Custom Custom (A2 magnet) sounds so BRIGHT in my Tele. I didn't make a soldering mess, but the solder was very dull and globby on the connections.
danglybanger
ReelItInologist
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
My DD sounded very bright when I first installed it. Not enough solder. More solder on the joint fixed it.
Yes, it can affect tone, definitely.
dan
My DD sounded very bright when I first installed it. Not enough solder. More solder on the joint fixed it.
Yes, it can affect tone, definitely.
dan
StrangeDay
New member
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
Thanks, Dan!!
I knew it!! :smack:danglybanger said:
Thanks, Dan!!
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
What type of iron and solder are you using? I've gotten the best results with a 40 watt iron and thin silver bearing solder. I would suggest a trip to Radio Shack, where you can pick up a 40 watt iron and some thin solder for less than $15.
Ryan
What type of iron and solder are you using? I've gotten the best results with a 40 watt iron and thin silver bearing solder. I would suggest a trip to Radio Shack, where you can pick up a 40 watt iron and some thin solder for less than $15.
Ryan
StrangeDay
New member
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
I am going to radio shack today. Thanks. I was using a 25 watt iron before. :smack: :22:rspst14 said:
Davey
Goliath of Tone
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
you have to know your stuff and have some experience with low watt soldering irons, so you get the solders nice and shiny.
the #1 mistake people do is, they take the solder and the iron, put the solder on the tip and then take it to the joint. WRONG. you should first take the tip of the iron to the joint, heat it a little, then put the solder wire to the joint, along with the iron. then take away the wire and then the iron. you dont want to leave it on the joint for too long though.
soldering usualy needs more than 2 hands, especially when you're dealing with wires, so get a friend/brother/sister/father to help you.
and to sum it up, yes, a bad solder joint will affect tone a great way
you have to know your stuff and have some experience with low watt soldering irons, so you get the solders nice and shiny.
the #1 mistake people do is, they take the solder and the iron, put the solder on the tip and then take it to the joint. WRONG. you should first take the tip of the iron to the joint, heat it a little, then put the solder wire to the joint, along with the iron. then take away the wire and then the iron. you dont want to leave it on the joint for too long though.
soldering usualy needs more than 2 hands, especially when you're dealing with wires, so get a friend/brother/sister/father to help you.
and to sum it up, yes, a bad solder joint will affect tone a great way
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
how about feedback? can they affect that?
I'm debating a hollowbody soon, and planning on rewiring it for less feedback...once i figure out how to do so, haha
how about feedback? can they affect that?
I'm debating a hollowbody soon, and planning on rewiring it for less feedback...once i figure out how to do so, haha
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: Will a bad soldering job affect tone?
heh, yeah, it's gonna be a pain swapping out those pickups
heh, yeah, it's gonna be a pain swapping out those pickups
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