your solder choice
- Thread starter telerifik
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kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: your solder choice
I use Silver sodler from radio Shack. Cat #64-013
I use Silver sodler from radio Shack. Cat #64-013
Norman_T
New member
Re: your solder choice
I am also new to this game (soldering I mean) - but as I recently installed a new pickguard (loaded with pups etc) I had to buy a soldering iron and also some solder. I was recommended to buy Lead Free Silver Solder and I have to say that it was good and did not make any mess.
I am also new to this game (soldering I mean) - but as I recently installed a new pickguard (loaded with pups etc) I had to buy a soldering iron and also some solder. I was recommended to buy Lead Free Silver Solder and I have to say that it was good and did not make any mess.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: your solder choice
Alpha-Fry tech 60-40 solderwire.
And a Gakko 936 solder with variable temp......this thing is a must when you solder everyday
Alpha-Fry tech 60-40 solderwire.
And a Gakko 936 solder with variable temp......this thing is a must when you solder everyday
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: your solder choice
Kester 63/37 is considered to be the "perfect" solder blend.
You really shouldn't use silver solder in guitar wiring. It raises the melting
temperature, which adds risk to damaging guitar parts, and it provides no
benefit.
Remember - we put the Space Shuttle together using Kester 63/37.
Also, if you didn't make a mess, you may not have used flux - which is
very important. Go ahead - make a mess, then clean it up using
alcohol.
Kester 63/37 is considered to be the "perfect" solder blend.
You really shouldn't use silver solder in guitar wiring. It raises the melting
temperature, which adds risk to damaging guitar parts, and it provides no
benefit.
Remember - we put the Space Shuttle together using Kester 63/37.
Also, if you didn't make a mess, you may not have used flux - which is
very important. Go ahead - make a mess, then clean it up using
alcohol.
J
Jackal
Guest
Re: your solder choice
Silver is the best metal known for conductivity. Solder you choose will probably be best if you go with a silver solder from Radio Shack or wherever... don't skimp on flux though.
Dip the wire in a little flux, heat the wire with the iron just enough to let the solder "wick" into it.
Silver is the best metal known for conductivity. Solder you choose will probably be best if you go with a silver solder from Radio Shack or wherever... don't skimp on flux though.
Dip the wire in a little flux, heat the wire with the iron just enough to let the solder "wick" into it.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: your solder choice
Sorry Jackal, but this is just incorrect. Sure, you can look on a metals chart, and read that silver is lower in resistance than lead or tin, but whereas, those metals are somewhat resistant to oxidation, silver will tarnish overnight.
There is absolutely no benefit to using silver solder in a guitar - or any other circuit, for that matter, and the risk of damage by the increased temperature is far more important.
Remember, you have copper wire measured in feet, or even yards, from the pickup to the speaker. . .
. . . 000001" of silver ain't gonna make a difference.
Jackal said:
Sorry Jackal, but this is just incorrect. Sure, you can look on a metals chart, and read that silver is lower in resistance than lead or tin, but whereas, those metals are somewhat resistant to oxidation, silver will tarnish overnight.
There is absolutely no benefit to using silver solder in a guitar - or any other circuit, for that matter, and the risk of damage by the increased temperature is far more important.
Remember, you have copper wire measured in feet, or even yards, from the pickup to the speaker. . .
. . . 000001" of silver ain't gonna make a difference.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: your solder choice
Not true, and I disagree. For the few pennies extra, go with silver solder.
Lee said:
Not true, and I disagree. For the few pennies extra, go with silver solder.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: your solder choice
I don't think there's any doubting the sonic differences using silver solder or wiring ... but that's me, and I'm no scientist!
It's very true that sometimes convention can be just as strong, or stronger than law, but if it only costs a few pennies, why not err on the side of safety, and go silver anyway? What have you got to lose?
ArtieToo said:Sorry Jackal, but this is just incorrect. Sure, you can look on a metals chart, and read that silver is lower in resistance than lead or tin, but whereas, those metals are somewhat resistant to oxidation, silver will tarnish overnight.
There is absolutely no benefit to using silver solder in a guitar - or any other circuit, for that matter, and the risk of damage by the increased temperature is far more important.
Remember, you have copper wire measured in feet, or even yards, from the pickup to the speaker. . .
. . . 000001" of silver ain't gonna make a difference.
I don't think there's any doubting the sonic differences using silver solder or wiring ... but that's me, and I'm no scientist!
It's very true that sometimes convention can be just as strong, or stronger than law, but if it only costs a few pennies, why not err on the side of safety, and go silver anyway? What have you got to lose?
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: your solder choice
Now, I'm really intrigued!! How is this the case?
ArtieToo said:
Now, I'm really intrigued!! How is this the case?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: your solder choice
Are you saying that you can hear the difference .00001" of silver makes in how many feet of copper wiring? Nonsense.
Damage to your guitar. Using silver solder is not erring on the side of safety, precisely because of the added heat problem.
TwilightOdyssey said:
Are you saying that you can hear the difference .00001" of silver makes in how many feet of copper wiring? Nonsense.
TwilightOdyssey said:
Damage to your guitar. Using silver solder is not erring on the side of safety, precisely because of the added heat problem.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: your solder choice
Because the melting point of silver is higher. If you want to use silver, and aren't having problems, thats fine, but I don't think its good advice to give noobs who are asking how to solder. Overheating guitar components is already a problem with novice solderers.
Thats mainly what I'm concerned with.
I think our posts are getting out of sync.
TwilightOdyssey said:
Because the melting point of silver is higher. If you want to use silver, and aren't having problems, thats fine, but I don't think its good advice to give noobs who are asking how to solder. Overheating guitar components is already a problem with novice solderers.
Thats mainly what I'm concerned with.
I think our posts are getting out of sync.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: your solder choice
LOL! I agree, and will now respectfully bow out of this thread! I bow to your superior knowldge in this one, as all I have to go on is experience ...
You def. know your shiz, Artie, and anyone that can quote melting points on metals and has Steely Dan for their avatar? I know when I'm over my head! lol
ArtieToo said:Because the melting point of silver is higher. If you want to use silver, and aren't having problems, thats fine, but I don't think its good advice to give noobs who are asking how to solder. Overheating guitar components is already a problem with novice solderers.
Thats mainly what I'm concerned with.
I think our posts are getting out of sync.
LOL! I agree, and will now respectfully bow out of this thread! I bow to your superior knowldge in this one, as all I have to go on is experience ...
You def. know your shiz, Artie, and anyone that can quote melting points on metals and has Steely Dan for their avatar? I know when I'm over my head! lol
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: your solder choice
Heh - I hope I didn't sound too arrogant there.
This issue came up not too long ago in the old forum, so I asked my solder instructor, who's just donw the hall, and he's the one that told me about the silver not being good to use in circuits such as this.
I'll have to talk to him again when I get back, and see if I can the "official" word on the do's and don'ts of this.
Heh - I hope I didn't sound too arrogant there.
This issue came up not too long ago in the old forum, so I asked my solder instructor, who's just donw the hall, and he's the one that told me about the silver not being good to use in circuits such as this.
I'll have to talk to him again when I get back, and see if I can the "official" word on the do's and don'ts of this.
Re: your solder choice
I just use a general purpose lead-free solder from the local DIY store. It does the job. I'm not too worried about what type of solder it is (provided I don't damage anything soldering), given that the guitar itself, the pickups, the number and type of leads, the amp, all the effects pedals, and even the room I'm playing in change the sound
I just use a general purpose lead-free solder from the local DIY store. It does the job. I'm not too worried about what type of solder it is (provided I don't damage anything soldering), given that the guitar itself, the pickups, the number and type of leads, the amp, all the effects pedals, and even the room I'm playing in change the sound
Re: your solder choice
60/40 solder solder is fine, but better to go with the lead free for health reasons ... the lead free silver solder is what i like best, gives a bit stronger connection. Many people advise using smaller diameter solder 0.050 or again I like the slighly larger diameter, but it depends on what you are doing at the time. A good lead free rosin core solder on the thinner side will do you.
Just about anything will work as long as it's rosin core solder.
60/40 solder solder is fine, but better to go with the lead free for health reasons ... the lead free silver solder is what i like best, gives a bit stronger connection. Many people advise using smaller diameter solder 0.050 or again I like the slighly larger diameter, but it depends on what you are doing at the time. A good lead free rosin core solder on the thinner side will do you.
Just about anything will work as long as it's rosin core solder.
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