Some pickup questions

[Mach]

Ok, first off, I've got a S470DXQM(TL). I'm interested in swapping the pickups out for Dimarzio, namely a Breed neck and a Tone Zone at the Bridge.

First question, it's about the middle single coil pickup. I'm thinking about putting in an Area '58, but the Chopper seems like a plausible choice too. What's the main difference between the dual blade pups and the standard strat pups? Fatter tone? I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm going with the '58 as long as no one bring up some kind of huge problem with it working with the other pickups, but everyone seems to like the Chopper so I just thought I'd beg the question 'Why'.

Second, Ibanez's wiring diagram doesn't show the green wire Dimarzio's does, the green wire's mainly for people who happen to want to install the pup upside-down and make sure they get the coil that's closest to the middle pup on in the coil-split position, correct? So as long as I install both pups correctly I shouldn't need worry about messing with that wire other than to solder it to the volume pot? (I haven't bought the pickups so I don't have first-hand experience with how their set-up)

Thirdly ...I have to admit this is going to be my first adventure in soldering electronics, any tips? I'm the OCD kind of person who needs to be aware of Everything before he starts and if not he second guesses himself during the process. Any tools recommended other than the obvious soldering iron and solder? I'd really like to be able to do this myself instead of paying someone an over-priced amount, so I'd like to do it myself, but I just fear my inexperience will end up ruining the guitar.

Thanks for any- and everyone who comments, much appreciated!

[reguv760]

What's the main difference between the dual blade pups and the standard strat pups? Fatter tone?

Dual-blade pups act like a "humbucker" except it has the attitutde of a single-coil. Tone-wise? that's subjective... Benefits? depending on the model, a "louder" and/or "Fatter" than a single coil tone with no noise. I have an FS-1 for my 760's neck and its good for what it is, and much better than the C2 in the neck position.

Ibanez's wiring diagram doesn't show the green wire Dimarzio's does, the green wire's mainly for people who happen to want to install the pup upside-down and make sure they get the coil that's closest to the middle pup on in the coil-split position, correct? So as long as I install both pups correctly I shouldn't need worry about messing with that wire other than to solder it to the volume pot?

first question: further elaborate - stock Ibanez pickups or Ibanez's stocked with DiMarzio's??? As long they're "properly" soldered, pickup-orientation becomes personal preference.
2nd question: as long the DiMarzio green and bare are soldered together to the volume pot, red connected as hot(+) and black as cold (-), it's wired in series.

I have to admit this is going to be my first adventure in soldering electronics, any tips?

15w-30w soldering iron, 60/40 rosin core solder, and maybe a solder sucker as well. Preheat iron for 5-10 minutes. While that's happening, pre-cut the new p/u wire sleeves before the fun begins. Apply/melt a little bit of solder on the bare wires. This is optional but you can apply a tiny bit of solder on the iron's tip. It usually takes a couple seconds for the solder to melt. Once that's done, follow wiring diagram, desolder old p/u's, and solder new p/u's away at switch's contact points. Also, make sure you don't use too much solder (it just looks sloppy) and watch your fingers and/or arm from touching a hot soldering iron
If you need practice, find an unused computer cable or a pos instrument cable.

Reg

[Mach]

Dual-blade pups act like a "humbucker" except it has the attitutde of a single-coil. Tone-wise? that's subjective... Benefits? depending on the model, a "louder" and/or "Fatter" than a single coil tone with no noise. I have an FS-1 for my 760's neck and its good for what it is, and much better than the C2 in the neck position.

Thanks, I knew it was designed to be a humbucker in single coil size I just didn't know if there was anywhere else in the design the deviated from the standard single coil design. Still going with the '58 on this one.

first question: further elaborate - stock Ibanez pickups or Ibanez's stocked with DiMarzio's??? As long they're "properly" soldered, pickup-orientation becomes personal preference.
2nd question: as long the DiMarzio green and bare are soldered together to the volume pot, red connected as hot(+) and black as cold (-), it's wired in series.

1st: It's got stock INFs in it, and I'm looking to switch them out for a Breed Neck, Area 58 and Tone Zone in the bridge.
2nd: Ok, gotcha on that. I just saw DiMarzio said if they weren't working properly to switch the green to hot and red soldered to the bare that it was fixed, so I assumed it was for pickup-orientation.

15w-30w soldering iron, 60/40 rosin core solder, and maybe a solder sucker as well. Preheat iron for 5-10 minutes. While that's happening, pre-cut the new p/u wire sleeves before the fun begins. Apply/melt a little bit of solder on the bare wires. This is optional but you can apply a tiny bit of solder on the iron's tip. It usually takes a couple seconds for the solder to melt. Once that's done, follow wiring diagram, desolder old p/u's, and solder new p/u's away at switch's contact points. Also, make sure you don't use too much solder (it just looks sloppy) and watch your fingers and/or arm from touching a hot soldering iron
If you need practice, find an unused computer cable or a pos instrument cable.

I've been warned a number of times about touching the iron

Thanks again Reg, you've been a tremendous help!