Good resources to learn how to change pickups?

[jthompso]

Hi guys,

Id like to learn how to change the pickups in my guitar so I can experiment a bit without having to pay someone to do it all the time! Can anyone recommend some good web based material to learn from? If not, what else?

[ailean]

I think if you take a look in the tech section you'll find a load of stuff in there. I'd look for you but I have to leave for work!

[Roobubba]

what ailean said ^

You're specifically looking for a wiring diagram (the colours of the cables vary between manufacturers!). There's a Seymour Duncan wiring diagram which is quite useful for basic wiring, and couple this with a knowledge of which colours in their diagrams correspond to which colours for BKPs, and you're set.

You'll aso need a soldering iron, and preferably a little bit of experience (and a little bit of confidence - it's not rocket science, but good technique will help you a LOT!).

Looking forward to hearing your results :)

Roo

[jthompso]

Thanks for the info guys. Ive never soldered anything in my life so Im not sure if its a good thing to use my guitars as guinnea pigs!

[Roobubba]

Agreed, find some tutorials/basic electronics books to learn how to do it (it's not hard, but there are a few things that you need to be told when you start out!), and practise on something unimportant first! Simple circuits like a battery-powered light (ie something that you can test to see if it works after soldering!) are a great place to start.
Everyone should be able to solder!

Roo

[ailean]

I started a thread in the tech forum a while ago with soldering tips.

It's not hard to replace pickups, but leave yourself lots of time to do it, don't rush it. Try to find someone who knows how to solder to show you the first basics. It really isn't hard, but you don't want to mess it up.

Take a photo of the wiring before you start removing anything, that way you can at least get back to your starting point if it all goes wrong. You are unlikely to cause any damage by mis wiring  (currents are too low). But you can 'cook' a pot if it gets too hot (it will get hot anyway) so try to get those solders on smoothly.

Use a good soldering iron, your standard cheap 'pens' are usually not hot enough to work well with the large mass of a pot. You can use them, but it makes the job harder.

[jthompso]

Thanks for the advice. What sort of soldering iron do I need - how do I know if it is good enough for the job?

[ailean]

Look for a solder 'station' with temperature control, and can go up to 400C +. 50-60watts would be about right I imagine.

I bought this one when they had it for half price.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218050

That is probably overkill, but at half price it was a good buy :) Check eBay for a second hand unit if you can't find a good deal with a retailer.

[Hybrid_Child]

I've heard people recommend not to use solder irons over 30 Watts. They get too hot and may damage the electronics in your guitar. I guess a 30 Watt solder iron can do damage as well, but you basicly have more time to do the work.

Of course using 60 watts won't do damage instantly, and will probably be better if you are skilled, so you can do the job quick and smooth. But since you're a beginner, I'd suggest you follow this advise. 

[ailean]

I've heard people recommend not to use solder irons over 30 Watts. They get too hot and may damage the electronics in your guitar. I guess a 30 Watt solder iron can do damage as well, but you basicly have more time to do the work.

Of course using 60 watts won't do damage instantly, and will probably be better if you are skilled, so you can do the job quick and smooth. But since you're a beginner, I'd suggest you follow this advise. 

Perfectly true. However I found that a low power soldering iron can't get enough heat into a large solder joint fast enough to desolder it. The heat disipation on a big solder blob on a pot is quiet fast and when I used a lower power (25W I think it was) I really struggled to get the solder to melt, but with a more powerful iron it's much faster.

But it's a good point, you have to work a bit faster with a hotter iron, and you run more of a rick of cooking your pot. I've changed a few pickups with my current iron and I've found it easier on balance, but I will completely conceed that I'm only talking from personal experience and I'm not an expert :)