Special solder for guitars???

[Eggy]

I'm not a complete noob when it comes to actualy soldering something but the last two times I messed with putting new solder in guitar wiring I've got myself in problems.

I've been using solder I found in the bottom of my tool box. I've re-soldered the wiring in the exact same way it came out but when I plug it in it doesn't work. My freind said that it's bacause the solder I was using had flux(sp?) in it and audio stuff shouldn't be soldered with that ??? He also just lost £40 to me as he said CR7 wouldn't get 25 goals this season so I don't completely trust his judgement

If there is a certain type of solder I should be using then any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

[540s]

Originally Posted by Eggy

so I don't completely trust his judgement



Cheers,
Ben

You are wise Ben

Flux core solder has been used on electric guitars since....... well since there were electric guitars.

[drizzt75]

to my knowledge flux helps the solder to stick all i can suggest is using decent solder also have you tried holding the wire in place and testing to see if its a dodgy wire thats stopping the sound rather than just the connection i always hand wire stuff to test before soldering

[Jaden]

yea, something has to make the solder flow - flux is yer man
some profess that silver solder is the way to go......... haha...

must be a wiring mistake... i know its shocking but these things happen

[waylay00]

KEster 60/40 rosin core (essentially flux) solder is the way to go.

[albee1952]

Just do not use acid core solder that is (or was) used for plumbing.

[LuredMaul]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Just do not use acid core solder that is (or was) used for plumbing.

ding ding ding the conection will corrode.

[Eggy]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Just do not use acid core solder that is (or was) used for plumbing.

Bingo !! I think we have our winner.

As I said I've been using some solder that I found at the botom of my tool box (not the wisest thing to do I know) so my guess is that it's prolly plumbers solder.
I'll get some new stuff and try again,

Cheers guys!

[albee1952]

If it was plumbers solder, you should clean off every bit and start from sparkling clean parts Now when does Don Pardo tell me what I won?

[wbreslin951]

Originally Posted by Eggy

Bingo !! I think we have our winner.

As I said I've been using some solder that I found at the botom of my tool box (not the wisest thing to do I know) so my guess is that it's prolly plumbers solder.
I'll get some new stuff and try again,

Cheers guys!

its probably not the solder, i mean if its plumbers solder it will still work, but like whoever said it it will corrode.. start with sparkling clean new parts, new wires, and a correct circuit diagram.. if it still doesn't work.. practice your soldering.. heres an awesome tutorial on how to solder correctly : http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm