Workingman Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 The ground wire on my Electra bass is not soldered to the bridge, it just rest under it giving a less than good ground. When I try to solder it on, the best I can get is an obviously cold solder joint (lumpy and dull looking). Is there any trick so that I can get a good joint when attaching a wire to such a big piece of metal or do I have to get a better soldering iron? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 The ground wire on my Electra bass is not soldered to the bridge, it just rest under it giving a less than good ground. When I try to solder it on, the best I can get is an obviously cold solder joint (lumpy and dull looking). Is there any trick so that I can get a good joint when attaching a wire to such a big piece of metal or do I have to get a better soldering iron? Thanks I never solder on the ground wire. The screw and pressure of the bridge keeps the wire in contact. Bass bridge I am talking about. Soldering it could discolor the bridge due to the heat necessary to melt the solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donovan Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 The screw and pressure of the bridge keeps the wire in contact. Bass bridge I am talking about. Soldering it could discolor the bridge due to the heat necessary to melt the solder. You could use a solder formulation that melts at a lower temperature. Most of these contain Indium to bring the melting temperature down, up to 100C lower than standard SN63PB37 solder. So long as it does not contain Bismuth, which adds a negative brittl factor. Another solution better than pressure would be to use electrically conductive adhesive or grease. The problem with relying on pressure is that any exposed metals will oxidize over time and any 2 differing metals in contact with each other exhibit galvanic corrosion, especially in any environment with high humidity and/or heat and this will increase the rate of oxidation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foil1more Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 I don't see a problem as long as the bridge is tight on the wire and metal is touching metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Thanks for the help. I moved the wire and wrqpped it around amounting screw and now the bridge grounds just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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