Changing pickups for first time. Advice wanted.

sjo89

Hi,

I’m planning on changing the pups in my Mexican Strat. I’ve no soldering gear or experience whatsoever.

would appreciate some advice on what iron and solder to buy. Cheaper the better tbh. Maybe an Amazon link?

also any good videos with clear instructions you can link to and any tips in general.

cheers 

Jonathangus

For videos and guides, look no further than our very own @sixstringsupplies

https://sixstringsupplies.co.uk/pages/how-to-wire-a-stratocaster

Most jobs can be done with a 25-30W iron, but you really need something with more grunt for soldering to the back of pots - so look for about 60W.  60/40 leaded solder is easiest to work with, but if you want lead-free, go for one with a high silver content.

(And if you want advice from ICBM, don't call them 'pups'.  )

Funkfingers

I suggest practicing your soldering on a cheap beater guitar before setting about your MIM Fender.

Trim pickup output cables to leave a reasonable amount of slack on them.

Some of the most popular pickup combinations are available ready-assembled on a scratchplate, including the controls. Changing is a matter of six or eight touches of the soldering iron. (Two jack socket contacts. Bridge ground. Maybe, a separate ground for cavity screening.) 

Going this route is not cheap but it is easily reversible. As a bonus, your stock pickups, 'plate and controls assembly would have preserved the original height adjustments. 

Alternatively, there are Fretboarders who could assemble their pre-owned pickups and controls for you, leaving just a handful of joints to solder.

elstoof

I’ve used this iron for guitars, amps, cables etc it’s more than adequate for hobby use. It’s got enough grunt for pot casings, the only thing it struggles with is trem claws (preheat those with a heat gun or candle flame)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldering-Tilswall-Temperature-Transformer-Electronics/dp/B08LNHVYTD?pd_rd_w=Rfhcq&content-id=amzn1.sym.66d7527c-6da1-488a-a4ec-7fb13777a972&pf_rd_p=66d7527c-6da1-488a-a4ec-7fb13777a972&pf_rd_r=PX7RBYJ9TD35ZJKASQFT&pd_rd_wg=iFRAf&pd_rd_r=c914568a-ec9f-4a91-b3c8-659bed9d7c98&pd_rd_i=B08LNHVYTD&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_bia_rpt_ba_s_3_sc

Acdeezee86

I had zero experience of soldering before changing pickups on my MIM tele...I was terrified but found resources here super helpful: https://tech.seymourduncan.com/

I didn't do the neatest job but it all went surprisingly smoothly in the end and I learnt a lot in the process.

I used a cheap Antex HP40 that I got on ebay for £13 new.