Guitar Wiring and Soldering: Basic Technique Tutorial
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2018
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This is a quick guide to soldering guitar electronics. I share a few tips and tricks I've learned, as well as show you what tools you need for this (and they are inexpensive too!)
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice. Please check the links below for current pricing.
Here are the tools and components I use in this video:
soldering iron kit:
amzn.to/2GMuOkA
solder tip cleaner:
amzn.to/2Qbx1Zn
tip tinner:
amzn.to/2wO0QGy
wire strippers (not the exact ones I have, but these are basically the same and have good reviews):
amzn.to/2NUfKlS
22awg hookup wire:
amzn.to/2QiH2Ei
60/40 solder:
amzn.to/2wQfc9x
handy helper:
amzn.to/2wTpHbY
Deoxit D5 electronics cleaner/lubricant:
amzn.to/2CJYPSb
here are the pots I use (If I replace the kits ones):
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or these if I'm impatient:
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These are the dpdt switches I use:
2 position on/on:
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3 position on/off/on:
amzn.to/2oNWM5B
3 position on/on/on:
amzn.to/2sY0kVn
copper shielding tape (with conductive adhesive):
amzn.to/2Np2dG2
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission.
So to summarize this video:
-strip and TWIST the wire
-get a solid connection that will hold still while soldering (I use the 90 degree bend method)
-make sure your components are hot so the solder will stick
-don't hold the iron to the component too long or you can burn it out.
-a good solder joint will be shiny, and will be stronger than your wire or the component you soldered to. test this to make sure! - Hudba
One thing I didn’t expect to find in this video is a throwback to my childhood. That “handy helper” that he has, the magnifying glass with 2 alligator clips, my grandpa had one of those in his drawer and I would play with it as a kid wondering what the heck it was for. Now that’s been answered, and I’m flooded with childhood memories. What a random thing to give a flashback
Dude, I love that you're doing guitar work with affordable tools. Most videos are like, "Yep anyone can do this at home, just grab this tool from Stewmac" and when you search, it's like $350!!?
Eg. I'm not going to spend $70 for a radius-shaped block of wood, that's just silliness.
I assume most people are like me, just learning as we go and using whatever tools we can afford or already happen to have. So, thanks for showing what's possible with reasonable tools and equipment without having to sell your firstborn child.
The last time I got into seriously upgrading and fixing up my guitars, the cost of some jobs was just prohibitive. But now a lot of those things (like fret dressing) I'm realizing I probably CAN do myself. Or at least attempt on my cheaper guitars lol.
And I prefer doing stuff myself, if I can. Even if the results aren't as professional, So... yeah, thanks. I appreciate it.
Dan, thanks for another video that gives me “I can do this” confidence. One video idea I would love to see you do that no one has done as far as I can find, is: when creating one’s own guitar, what controls and switches to use/plan/think about. I see so many combinations and approaches among popular guitars but no one has ever explained the why of it all. I know it’s preference to some degree and versatility to another, but I would love to hear your thoughts on planning it out and determining cavities and placement strategies for ergonomics, versatility, pickup changes, etc. you have a great way of making the thinking seem simple. I hope you consider this.
I read a lot of comments here about the pronunciation of solder as 'sodder', walk as "wak", salmon as "samon" etc and, well, to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one's view's and by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and everyone's valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely forgot what I was going to say.
Oh man, this is the funniest comment. I literally just laughed out loud and woke up my wife
We're all from different cultures and each one pronounces different words in a diffrerent way. OK ,enough different. The internet has thrown us all into a giant cauldren where were exposed to each others cultures. GET OVER IT !!! Everyone in the UK pronounces 'it' Solder, in the US sauder. Still spelled the same way. How about herbs vs erbs? Enough said !!
This is the best, is it ok if i copy this to my channel and use it anytime things get funky.
I was wondering about the heat. I guess that the solder sticks best to whatever melts it the best, and therefore flows to what ever melts it the best. What's that called when a liquid does that at the edge of the glass?
@J G Smith Long ago, I was based in England and had a great Brit friend and coworker in my Squadron. I was giving out the duties on my schedule and he corrected me on it being pronounced "shedule" ....back and forth this went and I said we yanks say it that way and that is what I learned in "shool ". Everyone laughed and he said "ok, point taken" hahaha! Why do the British spell it school and pronounce it differently anyway!?
Tinning wires is preferred but not always needed. It’s better to do than not do but not always needed. Couple things to keep in mind when soldering to the back of pots move the iron around a bit to spread the heat and not burn out the pot also solder will move towards the heat so when positioning your tip and solder keep that in mind.
Um, should be tinning the wires before soldering to the components, it takes less time/heat and is easier on the component.
Also, use of small copper alligator clips can be utilized for heat sinks to protect the components.
When soldering a potentiometer always turn the pot (volume or tone) all the way to zero, that way in the event too much heat is used when soldering any damage or deformation occurs when the pot is zeroed and not halfway through the operational part of the resistive material.
And above all, always use a towel, cardboard or painters tape to protect the guitars finish when soldering.
A soldering iron only has to touch, brush against or get to close to a poly or lacquer finish for immediate damage that can not be buffed/polished out, same goes for plastic pickguards as well.
Soldering techniques and standards courtesy of Uncle Sam. when I was a Technician in the Military.
Thanks for the tips! I never heard about soldering with the pots at 0 but it makes total sense!
HK Guitar honestly that is alot of good information in not alot of space thank you sir.
Which service? I was Navy. I graduated top of my engineering common core class, but instructors screwed me out of IC (interior commutations technician) & I got sent out undesignated. I eventually, became a JO, propaganda specialist.
Thank you for the tip about soldering pots. Never have heard of that before but it makes sense.
Thank you!
Really good tips. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you have a really hot iron the clip isn't really nesecery right?
On my first build now and I’m totally hooked , so many options and techniques to choose from
1. That blue. I dig.
2. Thanks because I haven't soldered anything for a bit and have a warmoth bass I'm working on and just bought Duncan's for.
"Soldering takes like nine hands" Truer words have never been spoken!
Dan, I honestly enjoy _Guns & Guitars_ very much & it's been useful in teaching me several things, it's a great Channel... I'm an Electrical Engineer... 250K Potentiometers (pots) are for Single Coil Pickups, 500K Potentiometers are for Humbuckers (2 single-coil pickups wound opposite one-another, wound together, making 500K necessary), however, if you pair a 500K Potentiometer with Single Coil Pickup, all the audible variance the potentiometer gives you would take place between number 1 and number 4 (on a numberd knob like a Stratocaster has). Aside from that, Audio Taper Potentiometers (Pots) are Logarithmic. they have to be like that because decibel levels are Logarithmic so it's necessary & appropriate that Audio Taper, pots be used to control volume because they share the same non-linear scale...tone control is linear, so it's appropriate to have a Linear Taper Potentiometer in place of tone pot... if you want to do something interesting with Potentiometers which is _different_ get the Bournes Wolfgang 500K _"No-Load"_ Disappearing pots (when they're turned all the way up, there's a detent which is like a switch & when you flip said switch, the pot _" disappears,"_ the pickup never gets loaded by a tone control at all & therefore, the pickup runs "Wide-Open" _(so-to-speak)_ & I'm currently contemplating buying a red EDEN Stratocaster body (normal tremolo routed but undrilled), putting a black Floyd Rose Original or "Pro" tremolo on it, a black HSH pickguard, Red Dragonfire Crusaders (Seymour Duncan Invader clones), black Seymour Duncan Triple Shot Switching Humbucker Pickup Rings on top of the pickguard to split the coils of the humbuckers, a 1-Meg Short/Split Shaft Volume pot, 2 Bournes No-Load Wolfgang Linear tone pots, a Richie Sambora Style Perloid Stars outlined in Black inlay, painting the headstock red to match the body, putting black sperzel trimlock 6 inline locking staggered tuning machines, a Floyd Rose R3 Locking nut, a black floyd rose string retainer bar (if a retainer bar is needed, my Jackson Professional Randy Rhoads RR3 doesn't have a retainer bar, but my custom Dimeslime colored Ibanez RG220X does have a retainer bar & so does my _Desert Sunset Blue Burst_ Ernie Ball Musicman Axis...
I absolutely love that you put the links in the description. Such an easy concept that not many do. I find using cheap tools where possible is fine. I cant even tell you how awesome your vids and DIY attitude have been to me in my blossoming guitar tinkering hobby. Thank you and God bless.
This
I work on guitars all the time. You did a great job on the video. This will be a excellent video for any beginner to watch.
Thanks that was my hope!
@@GunsandGuitars I am a first timer and loved your vid. great pace, loved your humor and info. way to go!
doing. videos like this on the most "basic" things is a great service to use first time DIYers... thanx
Thanks for your videos. I helped launch this guitar kit industry back in 1975 making and selling exotic guitar bodies and necks from the family’s custom furniture shop in New York.
I’m thrilled to see how enthusiasts like you have made great advances to this hobby and created a way for everyone to enjoy music, and beautiful instruments from their own efforts.
Grateful for your sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Thank you
Out of all the videos I've seen for some reason and thank you for it , you explained soldering technique in a way that finally made sense then everything came full circle and 100 percent get it now! I must go now confidant to my guitar mod project ..
Thank you!
He teaches is like someone who had to learn something the hard way, excellent explanations!
PERFECT TIMING! I'm waiting on pickups then soldering my first build once they come in 😁
I love how de-oxit! It took my crackling pots and turned them into 'new' pots. It's a great fix for various issues.
lol everyone dissing him about how he is screwing everything up... if you already know so much about soldering and you consider yourself an expert why are you watching the beginner tutorial?
Experts are experts by constantly looking for new and better ways to do things. Including the basics. When they find someone they can help, why would they not put forth the knowledge to help them?
@@slapdish277 I guess that's a pretty decent point. Consider me proven wrong.
SLAPDISh also to help beginners to be wary of potential bad advice
Thats a fact.this guy does amazing mods and these critics out here cant even play guitar yet do half wut this guy does
Because if I trash someone on the internet, I feel good about myself and everyone in the comments section envies how awesome I am
Nice tuto as usual, Dan. What I usually do to be more comfortable is to immobilise the pick guard with adhesive tape, cause when applying the solder iron, it can shift a little bit.
I'm subscribing just because of this channel's name. Seriously. Really helpful info, thanks.
Yes great this is exactly what I want to learn...you definitely sound confident. 5 mins in and I've already learnt soldering iron naintenance, so I for one will be regularly visiting here. Thank you.
I like that you took the time to explain how to build a solder bridge connection. Good workmanship technique.
Awesome video! Wish I would have been able to watch this before I did my build! I got so frustrated and burnt out my components so I just paid a local guitar tech to do my wiring for me. But this video definitely makes me want to take another crack at wiring and makes me excited for my next build!
If you tin the wire first you won't have to twist the wire and it will make it sturdy. Awesome videos, I don't think you understand how much you videos have helped me.
Worked in a Chinese factory, its not just the cleanliness thats the issue. Quality control, attention to detail, and most of all the quality of raw materials is why its cheaper and less likely to be well made. In US, the worker might get paid by how many they make, but the quality control in China also does, from head to toe the objective and incentive is for quantity.
Thanks for the info! I stand corrected
Dan Hi !!! :-) !!! Man I miss you where'd you go ??!!
So glad to see your channel again !! You have one of the best video channels on things to do with guitars !!
The BEST !!
Thanks so much for these videos, they are so helpful. I'm about to try my hand at a jazz bass DIY kit and I'm looking forward to building it. Wish this old guy luck!
Came here to see what it took to fix some solder joints. Have a Squier Jag I've had for years but it was unplayable because I thought the electronics were garbage. You made a point about using electronics cleaner on components to clean them out. So i soaked my pickup selector and pots and put her back together and wow. Immediate fix. Pots are still weird design, but at least i can play it now! Thanks a ton for that tiny pointer that saved me.
Very informative and helpful. Thanks dude.
Thanks for this man. Transitioning from acoustic to electric so I've been looking forward to modding.
Thanks for the video, love the blue finish by the way! Great choice
Soldering is one of the jobs/hobbies that has a massive following of people who don't agree on lots of things, because as you mentioned some solders aren't available in all areas, and also some of these people are from different backgrounds like appliance repairmen would solder completely differently to a navy engineer.
But this is good all round information on the best methods for this application!
Thanks Sam! Yeah I tried to make this video specific to guitar wiring, I know there are other methods and techniques for different applications. I’m not gonna pretend to be an expert on those. In fact, I’m not gonna pretend to be an expert on guitar soldering either!
What I'd like to see is a video on what can go wrong. I mean, I realize that the number of things that can go wrong is basically infinite, but I will say that I screwed up my first rewire job so abysmally that I think I learned more ways that a rewire can go wrong than tips and tricks to doing it correctly. So many small inconsequential aspects of soldering that people who have never had a problem doing it don't even think to mention (e.g. Don't blow on your joint to cool it down faster. Don't leave solder on your heating tip for an extended amount of time. Tinning is helpful. Prepping the back of pots by roughing them up can help. Etc.)
awesome content! love your energy man! very informative. currently thinking about gettin all the proper gear and star messing around a bit more with my guitars.
Great Video, man! keep up the great content, and I'll keep viewing
I did really need a video like this. Thank you❤️
Thanks for another good video, love that finish!
Thanks a lot Dan for the great videos!
Bought some stuff using the links. Hope you get some cash. It’s only the beginning. I want to start building soon.
Playing bass for the church and was having a huge problem. We played at our old building and the sound was fine. Moved to our new building which is a all metal structure and I have so much fed back that I can’t play. Going to clean the pods and put cooper tape in the bass. Learned about the RF frequency in metal building watching your CZcams channel. Let’s see how it works.
Thank you so much for making this video!! I have tried soldering before, but it was basically an experimental circuit board. It was okay, at least I got a feel for it. But this video has really enlightened me. I found a few guitars on the cheap, and they feel great to play - they just need better pickups. I ordered some copper shielding tape today, and now I just ordered the cleaner and tinner. You have a wonderful way of making sense of things, and you're so positive.
Also, thanks to you, I was able to do this yesterday - I installed a new pickup in the bridge of a guitar I absolutely love. If I hadn't watched your video, it would never have gone so smoothly. The pickup (a Mighty Mite single coil) - plus shielding the cavity and pickguard with copper tape - makes it a better guitar, with better balance between all the pickups. It was such a thrill to hear it when it was done!!
WOO HOO! another great video, thanks dan! this has been a weak area for me for a lng time. i'll be using this as a help guide.
Very helpful video. Nobody explained why you need to heat up the wires to me before and I've been doing it really wrong for longer than I'd like to admit
You are a saint! I've been wanting to do this with my bass! Thank You so much!
You’re welcome! Glad I didn’t finish the mosrite build this week then
Well, I will plan on using your links. I’ve got everything but my pickups and my soldering iron for my classic Fender Strat Squier rebuild.
Thank you for this. I am trying to learn how to work on my own guitars and I appreciate videos like this. This video was very helpful and informative. 🧠👽
Nice ! This is one thing that i need to get better at. I have a nice soldering station and dont really know how to use it.
Guns and guitars it doesn't get any better than that
Thank you so much Dan for the sharing.. It helps me a lot..
Great video Dan.
What makes it great to me is that you really got back to the basics down to the level, that most people apparently find beneath them.
But as a noob or beginner, these videos can't be basic enough.
There is so much that pros take for granted that still may be a revelation to the beginner.
It would be great if you could make a series it off this.
Next you could wire a working circuit with a single coil. Next video make it two, like in a telly. next make it a single coil and a humbucker with coil tap and/or reversable polarity and so on, until even noobs like me get it.
That would be great.
Keep it up, man we appreciate it!
I actually want to do exactly what you’re asking, but in a live stream format so people can ask questions while I do it. It’s just a matter of finding a good time to do it
@@GunsandGuitars I think I prefer it the way you did this one.
But I'm willing to give the Livestream a chance.
... Oh, time wise a Livestream might be a challenge for people like me who live in Europe...🤔
This is great basic information that everyone needs to build these kits. Nice job!
Thanks Gene!
Another great video, Dan. Thanks.
Thanks Tom!
13:29 "I didn't take my cocaine this morning so I'm shaking a little bit" lmao
Awesome video Dan thank you 😊👍👍
I got the soldering iron kit, happy to support the channel! =)
great vid! nice job! thanks
Another Fantastic Video. Thank you . Cheers.
Finally I have been looking for a video of this
Nice Dan! You finally got around to the Mossy!
This was so helpful!!!
Just what I needed... thanks man!
The soldering police will be here shortly......................
I am definitely a member of the soldering police, and I think he did a great job.
I should apply for soldering police academy
Somebody should revoke your membership.
Lol
Today was my first day as tech and I’m gonna try this method tomorrow when I resolder an output jack
This video is gold! Thanks a lot!
Love the new video format! I cant speak for anybody else, but I'd love a dedicated wiring video, going into some of the science behind basic wiring, and showing basic wiring layouts. Great content as always!
6 hours without a dislike! You're doing well Dan
Cool video as usual
im going to older all these parts using the links provided .. i enjoy sardering, very therapeutic.
I love your videos, my man. I have a request for a build, though. I want to see how to fix a DIY Gibson EDS-1275, or a DIY Gibson Double Neck kit. I’ve wanted to get one, but knowing that diy kits aren’t always accurate at building neck and bodies, I’d like to see how to improve it before actually getting one. Thank you for making this video and I hope you can still do more. Keep up the great work!
i used maf cleaner, mass air flow cleaner from a can that i had laying around, to clean some old pots from a lotus guitar, :) i didnt need to replace them and it was super easy
I use the same solder you’re using and I’d say it’s ‘bout .62 diameter! Works quite nicely!
👍🏾👍🏾Great tutorial a real help
Yo man. Just fixed my LP Custom thx to this video. Thanks.
super helpful! thanks!
Best channel ever!!!
Big tanks you really helped me with thise vidio,
You and yor chanel are gust amazing tanks for what you are doing 😃
I've bought from his affiliate links and the products have worked for me. Especially the push pull pots. More wiring hacks please!
Thanks for your support! I’ve got a whole slew of wiring hacks coming your way!
Thank you so much 🙏 I love your Videos 🙏🙏🙏
Lol! I am not ashamed to admit it. I was doing the same thing you mentioned (trying to put the cold solder on a hot post). The crazy thing is, I can work with & repair mechanical things, I can even weld like a mother f..., but when it comes to electronics, I suck. This video was helpful, for me. Thanks. Now, I can wire up my own pickups & pots & stop paying guitar shps every time I want to swap out pickups.
Deoxit is good, though.. The guy who usualy wires up my guitars told me about it and it works wonders.
I love the American vibe this channel gives me.
"guns and guitars" :). I don't like guns but this guitar soldering demonstration is quite good.
Thank you great tips I like the thread through trick
Something that is very useful - more useful than a solder sucker IMHO is soldering wick. It removes solder in hard to get places and removes it completely.
My girlfriend does all the soldering since I'm too blind. Lucky me. I do think a temperature regulated iron would help her a lot. ID like like to see an explanation on turning your tine pot into a coil split fade knob
After watching the whole video you should really install CTS pots, their operation life span are usually rated at 15,000 full rotations (back and forth). The cheaper pots are not actually rated. Pay once cry once!
I really enjoy your videos, but for all the work that can be involved with building a guitar the electronics are not expensive to upgrade and really do make a substantial difference in the sound/reliability of the instrument.
Just remember, American made pots have a larger shaft diameter so mounting holes will need to be enlarged and the Asian knobs will not fit (you'll have to purchase new knobs if you upgrade the pots).
Again, just my $.02 Cents and I'm only trying to help, it's kind of like purchasing cheap bullets to reload for long range shooting. I'm just saying..............
Keep up the good work.
I do appreciate you input for sure!
New build yay
Dan, you're a boss.
One doesn’t need to solder back of the pots to the ground side of the circuit if grounding foil is used to connect the pots and other components.
In fact, by using the foil AND grounding pots with a wire you are creating an unwanted ground mesh that highly likely decreases the overall quality of grounding.
Always connect the components to ground in a star-manner, not a mesh.
Besides, make sure that the foil itself is connected to the ground, otherwise it will act as an antenna that captures hum. The same principle works for bridge and the strings.
Great video man, I would like all the wiring in one video ;)
Great tips, thanks Dan! It's really funny but this is like the third video I'm seeing today that is praising the DeoxIt stuff and I had never heard of it prior to yesterday. Seems like a lot of people think it's good.
We got him boys, we found the GrimmGreen of the guitar world
Soldering help ,oh thank u, thank u !!!
Three things, please tin (pre-solder) your wires , use Flux , and that style of soldering is called a J-hook terminal connection. The first two are to ensure a better solder connection, the last is just what it's called.
I would actually recommend 63 37 solder it’s nearly impossible to get cold solder joints. 60 40 is decent but 63 37 for the win
You savior.. .thanks brother
I was wondering when the Mosrite will be finished! Can't wait!
Copper is more conductive than aluminum. For the skeptics, just check the reference books. The difference is in price and weight.
awesome and informative! not intimidating any more Thanks!
thanks i understand a bit!
The high end pots also conduct the signal a little better, giving a tad higher and clearer output.
Have more questions:
1. Will speaker wire work?
2. Any tips on soldering tight spaces? I tend to melt more wire coating that actual solder.
3. Will that tip cleaner clean off melted rubber?
4. Aside from the housing, is that tip cleaner any different than copper scrubbing wool?
5. Being a beginner, I waste a LOT of solder. If you run out of solder, can you re-melt the wasted globs that didn't stick?
6. Have you used WD-40 Contact Cleaner? If so, how does it compare to DeoxIT? I already have the WD-40 and don't know if buying DeoxIT is worth it till I run out.
7. What's the best shaped soldering tip? Idk if it's better to use the flat tip to hold the wire easier and heat it up more evenly or if it's better to use the pointy tip for more precision.
8. Is a tone pot just a volume pot with a capacitor? Or is there more to it than that?
9. Is shielding necessary with humbuckers or active pickups?
10. If I DO try shielding, will just shielding the pickguard do anything? Or does it HAVE to be the full cavity?
It's official, I've stopped blaming my soldering iron and my solder today (03/07/2023).
Nice video.