How hard is soldering?

It's not very difficult at all if you have a somewhat steady hand. You can probably find some decent "how to" examples on youtube. If you can follow a wiring diagram then hooking up the pups is very simple.

I hadn't done much of this until recently and now I've modded a couple of pedals and have an amp project in the wings. Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a bit of fun as well as satisfying.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=soldering+tutorial&aq=0&oq=soldering+

 

soldering is easy, but you should practice before you do your first soldering job http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X87Vt38ceSg&feature=related

just google soldering and there are a bunch of video demonstrations available...

 

Soldering takes practice. DE-soldering is a pain in the rump.

 

One of the toughest things to get right is soldering to a pot, which is often where pickups connect. Problem is heat dissapation, and the pots take a lot of energy to heat.

I recommend making some small kits before you attack the guitar.

GAD

 

Get some clamps, alligator clips, or something to hold your work piece in place while you solder. Otherwise you'll be wishing you had three hands.

 

you can buy some lessons which include some really awesome resources to get you started right.

If you can learn to solder competently it really opens up opportunities for making cool stuff, modding guitars, building amps etc...

 

I just recently learned myself. One of those helping hand tools is essential imo, especially when you're soldering multiple wires into one location like the backs of pots. I practiced one a bunch of el cheapo pots till i had the confidence to tackle my first pickups/electronics install. Oh, and make sure you clean the tip often and tin the tip, area to be soldered, and the wires or whatnot that'll be going to it. Hope that helps :AOK

 

Get the right wattage iron for the right job. I use a big mother 100/140 watt gun to solder to pots, and a pencil tip soldering station set to 600 + degrees to do fine work.
It's really easy once you get the practice.
Rick

 

I just did my first "big job" on a guitar - pots, wires, cap, pickups. I had done some soldering before and it always turned out badly. I went on youtube and searched "guitar soldering". There is some really useful stuff there and very helpful. When I did the job I felt pretty confident, had all the necessary stuff and, it was a blast!!!

I say go for it, just practice a little first to get the hang of it. I had used a 25w iron in the past and it wasn't hot enough. A 40w did the job no problem.

BTW - I'm just about to add a middle pup to my tele, turning it into a "nashville" tele. I've got it down pretty good if you have any questions.

 

Use a large chisel tip for soldering to the back of pots. A 40 watt iron, a chisel tip and a finer tip for wires and lugs is all you need. Just watch out for surrounding wires and caps. I've burned/melted more than I care to mention.

 

+1 on " Bigger iron " for pot bodies , get a "3rd Hand" gizmo , and I change out one of the gator clips on it for one like this : (Mueller 48b)





or a "modded" plain old clothespin . Gator for wire , Big'un for potshafts ....

 

I got all the info i needed from Stewmac's website. A month & a half ago,
i bought a soldering iron. Took my time & everything went as planned. If
a moron like myself can figure it out,anyone can.

 

if you do enough soldering you'll get so good at it that you'll brag to your friends about how well you can solder....and they'll look at you like you're absoulutely crazy.

 

Terry Downs over at TDPRI has an instructional video which is superb.

He's recovering from a serious car crash but I think he's able to fill orders at this point.

 

A 25 Watt iron is big enough for all but Gibson pickup covers and strat spring claws. If you go with a 40 be careful not to overheat stuff and destroy it .
DPDT switches and small stuff will melt.