Author Topic: Types of solder....fact vs fiction (Read 9141 times)

magma · « **on:** April 16, 2006, 05:12:30 AM »

I'd heard recently that some types of solder are prefferable over others for using with guitars... specifically solder with a higher content of silver?
Is this another product of the guitar myth factory? Or is there truth in this?

I usually just use bog standard stuff from Maplin...

dave_mc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2006, 03:20:37 PM »

well i was advised by a techie on another guitar site that silver was better, but I have no idea, lol.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2006, 05:10:53 PM »

snake oil (imo)

:twisted:

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2006, 06:54:25 PM »

There is some truth to this
However my only warning is to avoid the lead free solder

i know it's supposed to be environmentally better and safer on the person using it - BUT IT JUST DOESN'T WORK VERY WELL

I chose to use the "multicore" brand which has a 60/40 tin/lead mix

they also do a higher silver content version which works very well

magma · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2006, 10:01:27 PM »

Cheers for the advice fellas, yes there certainly is a whiff of snake oil :lol: !

I am a bit confused as to what the benefit of using solder with a percentage of silver in it, as opposed to the 60/40 tin/lead multicore mentioned earlier?

Is it purely a more sturdy join? Or could there be some improvement in conductivity or something?

Damnit wish I had paid more attention to physics in school!

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2006, 10:03:13 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

There is some truth to this
However my only warning is to avoid the lead free solder

i know it's supposed to be environmentally better and safer on the person using it - BUT IT JUST DOESN'T WORK VERY WELL

yeah, i also heard that from said techie, jonathan.

Underground_Player · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2006, 12:56:00 PM »

I think the person who advised you would have thought that the silver content would mean the solder joint would pass a purer signal, not anything to do with reliability. From reading through those articles I linked to in the Time Out section (under Bob Carver), I doubt whether even a pure silver solder joint would pass a measurably better signal - so a 'hint of silver' one would IMO make absolutely no audible difference whatsoever.

magma · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2006, 01:42:38 AM »

Thanks for clearing that up.... snake oil it is then.

HJM · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2006, 08:44:52 AM »

Hifi boys like silver content, but a lot of the silver solder around today is lead free, the silver is there to get a bit more flow.

From July 1st you can't really use lead in electronics manufacture, and under the list is electric guitars, so for the EU ROHS laws all manufacturers must switch to lead free solder, trouble is it just doesn't flow like the good old lead solder!!

Most important when you choose a solder is get one that's relatively pure, old tandy solder used to be full of impurities, Rapid Electronics do a great high grade solder, much better than the generic multicore solder most places sell.

Wonder solder is the best low lead solder around, Russ Andrews and some other high end hifi boys use it, it's dear though and I doubt it'd make a difference in a guitar, you're better off just getting a really good solder joint that has mechanical strength.

R/2e · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2006, 08:45:31 AM »

The best solder for guitars of course is hand rolled from free range organic ingredients by Mississippi cotton pickers while da blues is sung, da spliff is smoked, and Mamma done makes corn pokes.

Kind of difficult to get these days but I have a small supply at outrageous prices if anyone really wants that MOJO. :lol: :lol:

Otherwise the quality of the joint (solder, don't get me started) is more important than the solder. The thing that has improved my soldering more than anything is a temperature controlled soldering iron, makes a lot of difference.

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2006, 04:56:38 PM »

F'#king brilliant post!

PDT_004 PDT_004 PDT_004

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2006, 05:08:28 PM »

Maybe Tim is about to start making his own solder....
It could be a reason for him moving to Cornwall (and buying up all the old Tin mines ??)

On the other hand he may be about to take up surfing or something equally healthy

JamesHealey · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:45:10 AM »

silver is the most conductive material known to man. Go figure.

R/2e · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2006, 02:05:37 PM »

Conductive like Diamonds and Gold. The fastest way of conducting money out of a man's wallet.................

Kilby · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2006, 05:50:23 PM »

Quote from: JamesHealey

silver is the most conductive material known to man. Go figure.

Most contuctive metal at room temperature ;)

Rob...