I Have Soldering Iron - Any Advice!

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I Have Soldering Iron - Any Advice!

Mike Seddon View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:00 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:00 PM	GMC:er Posts: 60 Joined: 5-April 07	All, I've an old Les Paul Copy that is in need of some tender loving care. Basically the pickups need replacing. The tone and volume controls also (they are either on full or off). The toggle switch clicks loudly when I change and the lead connector bangs loudly if I knock it while playing I have two options. 1) Take it into my local Guitar shop and get them to do a full revamp - no idea what that costs yet 2) Buy new pickups & pots and install myself. Also resolder all the electronics (someone suggested that I might have dry solder problems so this might help greatly). Any comments? Is option 2 really only for professionals who know what they are doing? I'm lucky enough to have Regent Guitars on my doorstep (www.guitars.co.uk) and they could offer a service so maybe thats my best bet. Ta Mike You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

fkalich View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:06 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:06 PM	GMC:er Posts: 2.789 Joined: 12-February 07 From: People's Republic of Lawrence Kansas	QUOTE (Mike Seddon @ Apr 8 2008, 02:00 PM) All, I've an old Les Paul Copy that is in need of some tender loving care. Basically the pickups need replacing. The tone and volume controls also (they are either on full or off). The toggle switch clicks loudly when I change and the lead connector bangs loudly if I knock it while playing I have two options. 1) Take it into my local Guitar shop and get them to do a full revamp - no idea what that costs yet 2) Buy new pickups & pots and install myself. Also resolder all the electronics (someone suggested that I might have dry solder problems so this might help greatly). Any comments? Is option 2 really only for professionals who know what they are doing? I'm lucky enough to have Regent Guitars on my doorstep (www.guitars.co.uk) and they could offer a service so maybe thats my best bet. Ta Mike why replace everything. just diagnose the problem, or replace one thing at a time. you really don't need a PhD to solder, you heat the metal and let the solder flow onto it. don't heat solder directly. don't rip it apart, what is this dry solder crap? just figure out the problem, or replace one thing at a time, least expensive parts first. just like an auto mechanic does. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Trond Vold View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:10 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:10 PM	Instructor Posts: 3.497 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Norge!	Soldering isnt that hard, but you should practice it a bit and get some experience before attempting it on a guitar. There's a few good and safe soldering guides on youtube, might want to take a look at those first aswell. But professional resoldering isnt that pricy really, not sure on a estimate.. but it's a fairly quick job You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace!

Mike Seddon View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:23 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:23 PM	GMC:er Posts: 60 Joined: 5-April 07	QUOTE (Trond Vold @ Apr 8 2008, 07:10 PM) Soldering isnt that hard, but you should practice it a bit and get some experience before attempting it on a guitar. There's a few good and safe soldering guides on youtube, might want to take a look at those first aswell. But professional resoldering isnt that pricy really, not sure on a estimate.. but it's a fairly quick job Thanks for the advice. I'll certainly look at youtube. I suppose what I was also asking is whether it is that simple to just solder in the parts or is there more to replaceing pickups, pots etc? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Trond Vold View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:33 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:33 PM	Instructor Posts: 3.497 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Norge!	QUOTE (Mike Seddon @ Apr 8 2008, 09:23 PM) Thanks for the advice. I'll certainly look at youtube. I suppose what I was also asking is whether it is that simple to just solder in the parts or is there more to replaceing pickups, pots etc? It's fairly simple. Just make sure you get a fitting wiring diagram. If your Les Paul copy has got 2 humbuckers, 4 pots (2 vol, 2 tone), and a pickup-selector like usual Les Pauls, then a diagram for a ordinary Les Paul should work. Also, make sure that when you buy new pots, you get some with the right ohm ratings. 500k ohm is usually the most common for humbuckers. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace!

DeepRoots View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 08:38 PM
Apr 8 2008, 08:38 PM	Get to da Chopper! Posts: 2.700 Joined: 18-March 07 From: South Wales, UK	I resolder my output jack all the time, damn wire always finds a way to break free, its easy for just one little wiring problem- but i've no experience in rewiring the entire guitar. I guess that step my step would be okay to do though. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Hisham Al-Sanea View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 09:48 PM
Apr 8 2008, 09:48 PM	Instructor Posts: 4.085 Joined: 19-October 07 From: middle east / lebanon	before soldering you have to draw the map of the wires . between pickups and all volume /tone nops and swich. you can do a test on some wire as a demo. so you can learn that by your self so isnt hard to do it You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- email me *my video lessons* *instructor board*

Mike Seddon View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 10:23 PM
Apr 8 2008, 10:23 PM	GMC:er Posts: 60 Joined: 5-April 07	QUOTE (Hisham @ Apr 8 2008, 08:48 PM) before soldering you have to draw the map of the wires . between pickups and all volume /tone nops and swich. you can do a test on some wire as a demo. so you can learn that by your self so isnt hard to do it Thanks guys. Looks like I'll have a go myself. I've already seen lots of advice about pickups but what about pots? Any suggestions? Ebay seems awash with them You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Mike Seddon View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 10:27 PM
Apr 8 2008, 10:27 PM	GMC:er Posts: 60 Joined: 5-April 07	QUOTE (Mike Seddon @ Apr 8 2008, 09:23 PM) Thanks guys. Looks like I'll have a go myself. I've already seen lots of advice about pickups but what about pots? Any suggestions? Ebay seems awash with them Sorry another quick question. I just went onto ebay to pick up a soldering iron and I notice some state they come with lead free solder. I fully understand the health reasons for lead free solder but what about the electronic benefits - or is it all lead free now anyway? Sorry if this is getting into an electronics class! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Tmas View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 10:49 PM
Apr 8 2008, 10:49 PM	GMC:er Posts: 66 Joined: 5-November 06 From: USA South Carolina	Just don't burn the bottom of your foot like me! lol You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Yeah... I'm member number 911. What about it?

Mike Seddon View Member Profile	Apr 8 2008, 10:57 PM
Apr 8 2008, 10:57 PM	GMC:er Posts: 60 Joined: 5-April 07	QUOTE (Tmas @ Apr 8 2008, 09:49 PM) Just don't burn the bottom of your foot like me! lol I haven't seen the top of my feet let alone the bottom since I turned 40! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Apr 9 2008, 09:46 PM
Apr 9 2008, 09:46 PM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Trond gave a great advice - the main thing is to try soldering on other wires to see if you can do a proper good standing and firm soldering job. I fyou are certain to do it, - then do it yourself. On the other hand these jobs done by pros are not that expencive, maybe 20-40$ top in my estimate. So if you have the money it is imo better to take it to the shop. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

Danilo Capezzuto View Member Profile	Apr 10 2008, 11:04 AM
Apr 10 2008, 11:04 AM	Instructor Posts: 1.829 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Italy	QUOTE (Mike Seddon @ Apr 8 2008, 11:57 PM) I haven't seen the top of my feet let alone the bottom since I turned 40! good one!! I agree with Trond, you need a little practice, but you can do it by yourself, soldering is not hard to do, you save some money and you'll proud fo yourself! Post some picture after you have completed the work! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

Danilo Capezzuto View Member Profile	Apr 10 2008, 11:06 AM
Apr 10 2008, 11:06 AM	Instructor Posts: 1.829 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Italy	QUOTE (Danilo Capezzuto @ Apr 10 2008, 12:04 PM) good one!! I agree with Trond, you need a little practice, but you can do it by yourself, soldering is not hard to do, you save some money and you'll proud fo yourself! Post some picture after you have completed the work! uff sorry...little mistakes as ever...you'll be proud of yourself...sorry again... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

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