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How many of you do your own electrical work?

C

Citizen Snips

May 23, 2012
25
0
San Diego, CA
#1
Well, one of my basses needs a volume pot replacement and I was looking for a decent welding kit. Then I realized that taking it to a repair shop would be cheaper. Taking into account that I'm broke and that I don't know how to do electrical work, would this be a good decision? I would like to learn eventually, but I'm broke right now and I just want to get my bass fixed ASAP.

So, how many of you do your own electrical work (for your instruments)? Is it difficult?
 
#2
You were right the first time. Many basses are passive, and thus, electicals rather than electronics. Rarely do people make any distinction, however.

I really think most people should be doing this kind of stuff themselves. Repairmen charge a fortune to do a job that is free to do yourself with minimal effort to perfect your soldering skills.
 
#4
It seems difficult at first, but once you understand how it's done and BE PATIENT while doing it you can get good results in little time. Google up "soldering is easy", it's a nice and easy guide to get you started. As for the tools, a basic soldering iron (best under 30W) shouldn't cost more than say 15 bucks. And the solder itself is a couple of bucks. The helping hands thingy... helps but it's not an absolute necessity.
 
#5
yup all my stuff, my amps, basses, guitars, all the band electrics and electronics as well
probably wouldnt use a welding kit though , I think the terminology you are looking for is soldering kit , most pencil irons are perfect. a good rosin core 50/50 solder and a decent flux is all it takes. I would find something like an old clock radio or the sort to practice soldering on and to hone the skill before you move on to the main event though
 
#7
Citizen Snips said:
Well, one of my basses needs a volume pot replacement and I was looking for a decent welding kit. Then I realized that taking it to a repair shop would be cheaper. Taking into account that I'm broke and that I don't know how to do electrical work, would this be a good decision? I would like to learn eventually, but I'm broke right now and I just want to get my bass fixed ASAP.

So, how many of you do your own electrical work (for your instruments)? Is it difficult?
Click to expand...

The word you are looking for is "soldering" which is how wires and parts are connected. A pot for example has three "ears" sticking out of it that are the connections. These tabs have a hole in them. You put the bare wire (you strip the insulation off a short distance from the end) through the hole, sort of wrap it on there and then flow melted solder (a low temperature metal alloy) over the whole thing, wire and tab, let it cool and the connection is made.

Anything at the passive bass level is required learning for bass players in my opinion, sort of like learning how to do your own setups. This doesn't mean you ALWAYS have to do your own setups or your own repairs, but knowing how to, is a big plus and helps you communicate your wishes even if you don't do the job yourself.

But as Dirty Harry says, "A man just has to know his own limitations". One does need to recognize when one is out of his/her league. A broken wire on an active circuit board is a common fault, but changing the wire takes some skill and care to not damage the active board. And it can go downhill from there. Changing surface mount parts on a modern circuit takes special tools, solder and flux as well as getting out the stereo microscope! There are few repair shops that go this far. Usually they change the whole board. But passive bass pots? That is a cinch!

Today there is plenty of how-to information on the internet. Hey, I figure if I can learn online how to remove the fingerboard from a bass with a steam iron and get it right the first time, then learning to change a pot should be no problem!
 
#8
I would recommend practicing on a broken pot or two before you go trying it yourself, but if you get good at soldering, it will save you much money. Me, I try and try and I can never quite get it right. Sometimes I do, other times I just botch the crap out of it. I've been told I need to get a better soldering iron, though, and after using a really nice one recently, I believe it.
 
#10
I've done it a few times. Once I fried a pot, but it was a Squier pot and I got the bass used, so who knows how much life it had left in it anyway. The hardest thing for me is desoldering. I think my iron doesn't get hot enough, so it makes that difficult. But once I'm actually applying the solder I don't usually have a problem. Still these days I'm lazy and just have someone else do it. I really should practice though.
 
#11
I do everything on the basses myself ... amps I let those that know what they are doing into them ... with that said, I am far from considering myself in the same category as someone like line6man on here, as I am sure he has forgotten more than I will ever know, but like Jimmy has found, a good soldering iron makes a big difference ...

.. I used to mess with radio control hobbies, and had purchased a Team Checkpoint solder unit for that ... with the adjustable heat ranges, I find it much easier to get cleaner solder joints ... and more importantly maybe, desolder existing when needed ..

... FWIW, I find taking my time, preparing the area, etc ... and then concentrating on working clean and neat lead to a happy ending ... the right size tip and good solder help too ...
 
#12
Do you have the new pot? It's a pretty simple matter to put one in, assuming the shaft size is correct. I'd be willing to put it in for you (I'm in San Diego), and you could watch and see how it goes. No charge. I think we could do it at Bass San Diego - I'll check with Chris. PM me with days you would be available to bring it in.
 
#15
Citizen Snips said:
So, how many of you do your own electrical work (for your instruments)? Is it difficult?
Click to expand...

I suggest you take Munji up on his offer. Learn how to do it if you have the interest. I've been doing this since I started playing over 30 years ago and I think it is an omitted educational step for many people. Thus they can't confront doing simple repairs themselves.

Learning music theory is more important, but if you are going to play an electric guitar or bass your whole life you may as well learn basic soldering skills.
 

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