Does anyone use connectors or terminals to quickly swap out pickups?

[MattZilla]

[sarc]1/4" mono.
[/sarc]


Gator/roach clips for <a week.

Solder for >a week.

Crimping/soldering connectors takes as much effort/time as just plain soldering, and once or twice I've crossed paths with passages that those emg connectors *barely fit through. Unnecessary stress.

 

[two fingers]

You need a bread board and some wire. For short tests you can literally twist wires together and leave the rest of the circuit in the bread board.

 

[bobdabilder]

Peta called.

View attachment 3500624 If I know I'll be swapping pups out a couple times I'll use dolphins

 

[Skillet]

This EMG solderless conversion kit even has a bus you run all your connections into, as well as 9/18 volts if need be.
It does take up some space though.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[ELG60]

Not exactly, but my guitar technician figured out a very cool way to have interchangeable control plates using Molex connectors: NBD redux

 

[jaroh24]

These replies have been very helpful in my decision to use connectors or not. The general consensus seems to be to use connectors for convenience and short-term wirings. For more permanent situations and once you have figured out the pickups/circuit you prefer, soldering is the way to go. Thanks everyone!

 

[knuckleduster]

I've got a GFS Kwikplug setup in one of my guitars, and man, that puppy went together FAST! I'm a believer! Since nothing's actually moving, I'm not worried about losing contact down the road. Even if something does lose contact later on, it's easy enough to just bust out a soldering iron anyway.

 

[logdrum]

Go to a Maker Faire and attend soldering class.

 

[40Hz]

Solder hot and ground leads onto your harness as appropriate depending on whether it's for one or two pups. Connect you pickup(s) to those leads. Twisting the ends together and using some heatshrink tubing is just as effective as using fancy connectors. No soldering required. When you want to swap puckups, an Xacto blade to remove the tubing and a quick tug are all that are required.

Can be left on permanently too. It isn't going to go anywhere on its own.

 

[shodan]

In the aircraft industry, connectors are just another point of failure...

 

[Toddcaster64]

More props for the solderless Obsidian wiring harness. I am pretty OK at soldering but after installing a couple of the Obsidians, I've seen the future. What a joy!

 

[bearhart74]

how about an interchangable preamp? Brubaker Guitars Introduces JXB-Standard Bass with Interchangeable Preamp System

 

[JimmyM]

In the aircraft industry, connectors are just another point of failure...

Good thing we're not playing aircraft.

 

[fhm555]

Look for some JST connectors. They come in several sizes and wire counts. Here's a deal on ten connector sets with right gauge wire already attached.

US $0.99 |10 Set 100mm Male&Female Connector JST Plug Cable For RC BEC Battery Helicopter DIY FPV Drone 2 Pin Connectors Terminals-in Connectors from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Here's an American seller of all manner of mini connectors designed to handle 2~3 amps

Link Removed

 

[fhm555]

I've thought about making a single plug for a j control plate so it could just be unplugged when you take the screws out. I'm always thinking i'm gonna mess up my paint when i rest the control plate on a rag on the body.

 

[Aidenn7]

How long are having the pickups in for.. If it's for a few minutes a red and black gator clip,mounting foam, and painter tape.. Tape around the pickup hole to protect the finish and create a base for the pickup tape to hold too.. Wires connected.. Put pickup mounting down next the pickup Then tape over the pick up To hold them in. You'll get the idea very quick and it won't hurt the instrument.. Don't bother screwing in the screws.. Do the quickest cleanest replacement.. pick a pickup.. And enjoy your bass you'll have to rotate pickup a few time back a forth.. Save the mess And resheilding for later.. Simpler the better

 

[Winslow]

Good thing we're not playing aircraft.

But if we could...

Air Force Bass - Doner Designs

Navy Bass - Doner Designs

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Good thing we're not playing aircraft.

I take great comfort in knowing I will not send anyone plummeting to a fiery death, no matter how catastrophically my pickup wiring fails.

 

[ELynx]

set it to 685 degrees

How much? 60/40 is soldered at 360-370 *C for through-hole. I would go 400 *C to solder, IDK, holes in kettels and piping. At 685 *C it is burning, not soldering.

 

[mojomike001]

Why have easy pickup swaps? Have multiple basses instead. Much more fun.