Kennis Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I'm just getting into replacing pickups myself and rewiring the electronics. When I was at my local hardware store to pick up some things I needed, I just grabbed a random roll of lead-free solder. But when I get home and look around the web I find a guide to pickup replacement on the Gibson site saying I'd need Rosin-Core solder. The stuff I bought doesn't say anything about being this or not. Should I go exchange it to make sure I've got the right type? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Yes... by all means... it GIBSON says to use resin core... then I'd use it. I'm in the middle of doing a p/u swap myself. Just trying to work up the courage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 ALWAYS use rosin core solder on your electronics, the rosin core is the flux that cleans impurities from the surface of what you're soldering. Radio Shack carries pretty good rosin core, it has a fairly low melting point so you don't have to over heat the wiring and the controls. I normally use about a .031" (1/32 inch) diameter solder for use on guitar electronics. And be sure to "tin" the wires and the places you are soldering them to. If you google "soldering techniques" you'll find a lot of info on the web. Here's a couple links: A PRIMER ON HAND SOLDERING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS Better Soldering How To Solder And if you've never done any electronics soldering you might want to practice a little on a piece of wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Rosin or Resin core is what most solders are. You can buy acid core solders which is an aggressive flux and needs to be washed afterwards but these aren't sold by electronics shops, probably plumbers merchants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennis Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 thank you for the replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarlek Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 FWIW the "high-tech" solder Radio Shack sells goes a long way in preventing bad solder joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 ALWAYS use rosin core solder on your electronics, the rosin core is the flux that cleans impurities from the surface of what you're soldering. Radio Shack carries pretty good rosin core, it has a fairly low melting point so you don't have to over heat the wiring and the controls. I normally use about a .031" (1/32 inch) diameter solder for use on guitar electronics. And be sure to "tin" the wires and the places you are soldering them to. If you google "soldering techniques" you'll find a lot of info on the web. Here's a couple links: A PRIMER ON HAND SOLDERING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS Better Soldering How To Solder And if you've never done any electronics soldering you might want to practice a little on a piece of wire. +1. Very good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHH Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Just nosey, or curious, but why did you buy "lead free" solder? Is that all they're selling nowadays? I'm not planning for anyone to drink from my guitar, so I'd be thinking of the best solder for the purpose -- to make a good permanent joint free of electrical resistance. But I bought enough economy size spools of solder decades ago that I haven't bought any for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustache Guitar Repairs Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Just nosey, or curious, but why did you buy "lead free" solder? Is that all they're selling nowadays? I'm not planning for anyone to drink from my guitar, so I'd be thinking of the best solder for the purpose -- to make a good permanent joint free of electrical resistance. But I bought enough economy size spools of solder decades ago that I haven't bought any for years. you should be fine, just don't eat any of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtim Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 When I solder I use flux too. I have had alot of luck with the Dutch boy brand sold at lowes. the solder sticks real well and fast without heating up for periods longer than necessary for your soldering job. When tinning wires I just dip the wire into the flux and touch the solder from the tip of my iron to the wire and it goes right on instantly. I also flux my tip on my soldering iron while it is hot to clean it good. Also when grounding to new volume knobs and new tone knobs, take a small flat head screw driver and score the back of the pot real good where you intend to solder. Solder will not sick to the finished surface hardly at all without doing this and you can ruin a new knob by getting the pot too hot with the soldering gun by not doing this. Good luck, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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