steve00

I own a standard strat and am planning on swapping the pickups, but I am starting to get quite a taste for this stuff and will probably not stop there. The next upgrade I'm thinking of is the bridge, but I've tried unsucessfully to find info on the web about different types of bridges, what's good/bad, how to install a new bridge, etc...Can anyone direct me to a good website to learn about bridges? What are the benefits of swithcing to a higher quality bridge? Also, my bridge sits at about a 25-30 degree angle off the body of the guitar. Is that typical or does it need adjustment? Thanks, -Steve

Thanks guys

You guys are awesome, thanks, -Steve

I've been playing guitar for a while, but I know virtually nothing about the technical aspects of electric guitars. I'm going to be changing the pickups on my Strat for the first time, which I think will be a good start, but this is something I'm really interested in learning a lot about and would like to get a good book about guitar work. Can anyone recommend anything? Thanks, -Steve

I'm replacing the stock pickups on my standard Strat for some Jeff Beck hot noiseless pickups. I just bought a 35-watt Weller soldering iron. I did a little bit of soldering in a circuits class I took last semester, but I don't have a lot of soldering skills, so I have a few questions: 1. Should I practice on some junk PCBs before I go to work on my strat? Is the soldering involved in this job tricky or sensitive in any way? 2. I have some left over 60/40 resin-core solder from that class. Will that work OK or is there a specific type of solder that should be used for this job? 3. Are there any other materials I need to buy? What is a "shield kit" (I've seen this advertised alongside pickups on a lot of websites)? Do I need to use a heatsink anywhere on this job? 4. Should I put in a new output jack at the same time I switch the pickups or is the stock output jack on a standard strat good quality? I would be really grateful to anyone willing to take the time to answer all these questions. Thanks, -Steve

I went with a 30 watt Weller. Thanks guys. -Steve

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help, -Steve

I am going to be changing the pickups in my strat for the first time and I know almost nothing about soldering irons (althought I do have some limited soldering experience), so I have a few questions. I am trying to decide which soldering iron to buy, but I've been recommended different wattages and am a little overwhelmed at the options. I have decided to go with Weller and I've narrowed it down to a few different irons. First, what is the difference between modular, temp-controlled and non-temp controlled irons? I was told to get a soldering iron between 10 and 30 watts to do the pickup work, but there are quick a few in that range. I've chosen a few Wellers that meet those specs, if someone could please help me narrow it down to a specific iron for this job because I really have no idea what to get. Here's the narrowed down list: WP25 and WP25D 25 watt (anyone know the difference between the two?) WM120 12 watt pencil type SL325 23 watt Anyone help or advice that anyone can offer would be very much appreciated. Thanks, -Steve

Ok thanks for the info guys. I'm ok with spending a little more to buy something quality, so I'll probably go with Weller. Where's the cheapest place to find Weller stuff online? Thanks, -Steve

I'm going to be changing the pickups in my strat for the first time and I don't know what wattage of soldering iron to buy. I have limited soldering experience but feel comfortable enough to do this. Can anyone tell me what soldering iron to buy? I am buying one specifically for this job, but I would like to get something quality that I will be able to use for future projects. Thanks for your help, -Steve

I'm going to be changing the pickups in my strat for the first time and I don't know what wattage of soldering iron to buy. I have limited soldering experience but feel comfortable enough to do this. Can anyone tell me what soldering iron to buy? I am buying one specifically for this job, but I would like to get something quality that I will be able to use for future projects. Thanks for your help, -Steve