How To Solder Guitar Pickup Wires

Carefully de-solder each pickup wire and the ground wire.

How to solder guitar pickup wires. Resist the temptation to blow on the solder to hasten the process. If you dont have a solder gun you could just use a small wire nut or even twist them together well and cover all with electrical tape. I recommend putting a terminal between the jack and the PG itself so you dont have to do any soldering near the guitar and changing loaded pickguard can be done in 5-6 minutes without soldering.

The 6040 number defines the ratio of tin to lead. Get some 6040 tinlead rosin core solder or the more modern lead-free electronic solder which avoids the health hazards associated with lead and youre ready to start. Repeat this process several times during the first few minutes of its life and your soldering tip will last longer and conduct heat better.

Modifications that can be done to your guitars internal wiring and pickups to change or increase the range of tones available and tips on techniques. For working with guitar wiring all you need is a 30-watt handheld soldering iron preferably with a chisel tip. Knowing how to solder I would take some very small wire similar to what is there and solder the two wires together followed.

The best solder for guitar wiring is standard 6040 rosin-core soldering wire. Then dip the repair in hot wax and let it dry. Helping Hands these aligator clamps on a stand are great at holding coils and wires while soldering.

Be sure to trim back any excess wire or solder that might touch the cable upon entry. I know the right way to do it is to fish all the pots and wires out and solder the new pickup wires directly to them. Skip the center lug for now and solder a wire from Lug-3 to the back casing of the Volume pot.

No high-tech digital soldering station required. GFS Humbuckers may also be wired using Seymour Duncan wiring codes. Once the solder has flowed remove the iron and allow the joint to cool naturally.