Author Topic: call me stupid.. (Read 13667 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** June 17, 2005, 10:34:01 AM »

..but i just got my mule today (oh the excitement!) and it looks like theres only one wire in the braided thing? i thought there was meant to be 2? also i dont understand the diagram for wiring :(

rinse_master · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2005, 10:40:12 AM »

You can get single conductor pickups, basically the braided bit gets soldered to the back of the pot as the ground, and the inside wire goes on the appropriate lug on the pot. (these were on my Gibson)

Like you said though, I thought BK was 2 or 4 cond.

Ratrod · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:21:11 AM »

Hi Stupid. (Well you asked for it, sorry)

Take off some of the braid, you'll find an inner wire. The braid is wire 1, the inner wire is wire 2. Solder the braid to the back of the pot, the inner wire to the far left connector of the pot and all should be fine.

_tom_ · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:44:19 AM »

haha oh right. how should i go about taking off some of the braid? i dont fancy ruining the whole thing! i thought maybe cut like a slit down it somehow then unravel it? i dunno i need help!

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2005, 12:39:58 PM »

When I installed my Miracle Man, I used an Xacto knife to make a small slit in the braid, then twisted it together. The braid very easily pushes back to reveal the cloth dialetric; you can push that back to reveal the center conductor. The center conductor is hot (+) and the braid is ground. Take your time and have fun; it's pretty straightforward. :)

_tom_ · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2005, 01:21:53 PM »

arrrrrrg i am so pissed off!! nothing will stick onto where its meant to go!! ive also ran out of solder now

why wont it stick down? its really frustrating, ive been looking forwards to this for ages and now it wont work. also for some reason the pickup wires go onto the tone pot instead of the volume one :? i think at this rate i might just take it to my teacher and get him to do it, i dont want to wreck this pickup!

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2005, 02:47:16 PM »

My advice, tom, is to stop and either go back to it when you've calmed down a bit, or take it to someone that can do it for you.

The technology is 60+ years old, so it's not rocket science. It's not even as hard as getting a virus off your computer; but it does require a bit of manual dexterity and soldering experience. The vintae style wire that Tim uses is a bit different from your more commen Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio wires, too.

Are you sure you're heating the area you need to solder enough for the wire to attach properly? Have you tinned the ends of your wires with solder?

Just check out my earliest threads about the hum problems I was having with my Miracle Man ... I'm happy to tell you that it was all stupidity on my part, not any kind of defect with the pickup. So, don't feel so bad. :)

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2005, 02:53:45 PM »

If really won't stick to the pot, try to apply some resin solder tin.

Or take it to your teacher and watch closely.

_tom_ · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2005, 03:03:55 PM »

yeah i waited till i'd calmed down then tried it again.. still not sticking.. I'm gonna get my teacher to do it properly, i just rang him up and it'll get done on tuesday!! cant wait!! just "for a laugh" i tried taping the wires down with electrical tape and i was amazed - it actually worked! Obviously i will get it done properly but i just wanted to make sure i hadnt messed up the pot or anything. It sounds F'n sweet!! Im sure itl sound even better when properly soldered and adjusted!

Did i say i cant wait :P

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:17:32 PM »

Time for soldering 101 I think
Useful info that will benefit many

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2005, 04:22:33 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Time for soldering 101 I think
Useful info that will benefit many

Make sure to include pics! :)

HJM · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2005, 08:28:55 PM »

Sounds like you need a man's iron on the pots!

remember - solder is not a connector......

tin the parts, heat the parts, join the parts. Works most of the time!

Tim · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2005, 08:48:27 PM »

I find that lightly abraiding the rear of the pot helps then, like HJM says, apply solder to all surfaces to be connec.ted and use a soldering iron that is man enough for the job, ie at least 25 watts.

Braided jacket hook up is 2 conductor-the braided screen is used to ground the pickup and the inner core,protected by the cloth jacket runs the signal.

If you're unsure of what you're doing, hang fire and get a repairman to do the job for you-in the long run it'll be worth it

_tom_ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2005, 09:24:30 PM »

yeah my irons 25w but its beyond nackered, the handle heats up so i have to wear an oven glove and it gives me electric shocks! i decided i dont wanna mess anything up so my guitar teacher will do it on tuesday free of charge 8) i cant wait!

tech33 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2005, 08:44:22 AM »

erm... sounds like you need a new iron!!
For future reference.as tim said, make sure you "scratch" the back of the pot where you want the solder to stick. Solder doesnt usually bond to shiny/polished surfaces!
definetly buy a new iron tho!!

Author Topic: call me stupid.. (Read 13667 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey