Author Topic: i can't get the pickups installed! :( (Read 15625 times)

aisuru · « **on:** April 09, 2005, 05:39:05 PM »

i can't get my pickups installed! i've been trying to wire them up, but the solder is not cooperating. it's a new 25w soldering iron i just bought today. every time i get the red wire onto the tab, i go to do the earth and the red just comes off again. that's on the bridge pickup, on the neck one i haven't been able get it to stick once. :(

Tim · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2005, 05:56:58 PM »

Clean and prep your surfaces properly, the hook up wire is tinned ready to go-do the same to the pot tags and rear of pot.
Solder red to hot tag on the volume pot, let it cool, then solder black and screen to rear.
As long as your soldering iron is hot enough you'll be fine.
If you've never done it before don't be afraid to ask someone who's more experienced or a reputable guitar repairman to do the job. Best to get it done right and then you don't have to worry.

Good luck.

aisuru · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2005, 06:07:13 PM »

cheers Tim. i'm gonna leave it until tomorrow and try again. when i've calmed down a bit and i don't have my wee cousins running in and out of the room every two minutes. :roll: i'll get my dad to help me out, he's usefull for some things. i've soldered before, but that was back in school, about five years ago. i probably just need to take my time a bit more.

HJM · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2005, 09:36:02 PM »

Soldering 101

Folow Tim's advice and:

Tin both pieces to be joined by heating them and applying a solder to both, let it flow baby...oh and put the solder on the parts not the iron.

Then bring both parts together and apply the heat, usually this is enough and you shouldn't need any more solder.

Don't move the joint until it's cool - it should be nice and shiney - if it's really dull and cloudy it 's bad.

Have fun and "carefull with those fingers, Eugine"

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2005, 02:35:12 AM »

also be careful how long you hold the soldering iron on the pots - that 25w iron is pretty beefy and you don't want to $%&# the pots up.

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2005, 09:29:18 AM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

also be careful how long you hold the soldering iron on the pots - that 25w iron is pretty beefy and you don't want to $%&# the pots up.

yes good point - and it can help to rub down th eback of the pot with sand paper, it can help a bit!

aisuru · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2005, 03:02:05 PM »

cheers guys!

aisuru · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2005, 09:12:01 PM »

it's finally working! in the end i got my dad's pal to come round and solder the pups in, took him all of five minutes to do what i hadn't managed in two days :P

then i had to 'adjust' the pickguard a bit ( read: butcher ) since Epi didn't make the holes big enough to accomodate covers. then the screws were too long, so i had to hacksaw them.

here it is though!

sounds much better. highs are less abrasive, lows are less muddy. the clean sounds are more usable now. if only i could play the thing well :lol:

Tim · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2005, 09:36:19 PM »

Well done, looks great 8) !

aisuru · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2005, 11:17:31 PM »

cheers :D

i love my guitar 8)

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2005, 05:17:24 PM »

yeah - well done - looks cool.

Sometimes new soldering iron tips are a real pain to get working .
I tend to end up sanding or gently filing the end and then using a tinning /flux prep on the tip first.