Marettes

[MtManiac]

I use small marettes to connect pickups to the stock pickup leads that are soldered to the pots. I just clipped the stock pickups off and wired a different set to the remaining wires.

is there any reason to not just do this? Seems like an effective way to try out different pickups, and I can't solder to save my life.

 

[Bloomfield]

Sure, why not? Definitely fine as a temporary measure, and if there is room you could use them permanently as long as they are small enough that they are getting a good hold on the wires. By the way I'm not totally sure if our American friends will know what we're talking about.

 

[MtManiac]

Sure, why not? Definitely fine as a temporary measure, and if there is room you could use them permanently as long as they are small enough that they are getting a good hold on the wires. By the way I'm not totally sure if our American friends will know what we're talking about.

Thanks! That's what I thought. But really? They don't use marettes in the US for electrical work?

 

[b/o 402]

In the US we call them wire nuts.

 

[MtManiac]

In the US we call them wire nuts.

Ah, ok! That's helpful, thanks! Any opinion on using small wire nuts for pickup connections?

 

[BunchyMutt]

If they got, and if the wire connections are prepared properly, I don't see why not

 

[96tbird]

I want to try these on a bass sometime, I use them on my motorcycle and RV they're great. More secure than marrettes. Marrettes are cheaper though.

Posi-Twist
Posi-Lock(TM) - The Best Connectors You'll Ever Use!

 

[J-Mags]

I used them for a period when I swore off soldering after causing a small explosion. Some of the instruments I've used them on are still unopened and working fine. Nowadays, if I can find them small enough, I still sometimes use them for ground wires.

I'd like to find some of the small push-in ones that EMG uses to attach ground wires.

 

[J-Mags]

I think the ones I'm talking about are these. Non-reusable, but $6 for 25 of them. Designed for low-voltage applications, and very small.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Insulation-Displacement-Wire-Connectors-25-Pack-85-925/100192058

 

[MtManiac]

I think the ones I'm talking about are these. Non-reusable, but $6 for 25 of them. Designed for low-voltage applications, and very small.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Insulation-Displacement-Wire-Connectors-25-Pack-85-925/100192058

Those look super useful! I couldn't tell though, are they permanent?

 

[J-Mags]

Those look super useful! I couldn't tell though, are they permanent?

Yeah. The ones that EMG uses are too. You have to snip the wires if you want to get them out, and if you do it wrong, you can't open it. The advantages are that it's very small and very secure.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Those look super useful! I couldn't tell though, are they permanent?

Yes, they're permanent. I've never used them on an instrument but have in my regular job. Insert up to 3 wires in the holes in the side, no need to strip insulation, squeeze the red disc with pliers or the manufacturer tool and, as long as you did your part, the wires are connected. You'll need to cut the wires outside of the connector if you change your mind.

 

[Geri O]

I used them for a period when I swore off soldering after causing a small explosion.

Good conversations here.

But am I the only one here that would like to hear more about this "small explosion "??…

 

[byacey]

In my opinion, soldering is the only way to go. Any mechanical and IDC connections are prone to oxidation and eventually becoming intermittent.

 

[J-Mags]

Good conversations here.

But am I the only one here that would like to hear more about this "small explosion "??…

I accidentally touched the tip of the soldering iron to the cord of the soldering iron. It was one of those slow motion things where you're a passive observer to your own life, and you know what's about to happen but you're powerless to stop it. I was holding some stuff together with one hand and the soldering iron with the other.

 

[MtManiac]

In my opinion, soldering is the only way to go. Any mechanical and IDC connections are prone to oxidation and eventually becoming intermittent.

Hmm… I wonder why people don't solder speaker wire to their home theatre speakers and receivers?

 

[Geri O]

I accidentally touched the tip of the soldering iron to the cord of the soldering iron. It was one of those slow motion things where you're a passive observer to your own life, and you know what's about to happen but you're powerless to stop it. I was holding some stuff together with one hand and the soldering iron with the other.

Oh, my, glad you are okay!

I'll bet a bunch of us have done that. Mine was a (very slightly) delayed explosion. I set down the iron and didn't see it roll away and onto the wire it was attached to. Took about 5 seconds, then there's that slow-motion thing you mentioned….

 

[byacey]

Hmm… I wonder why people don't solder speaker wire to their home theatre speakers and receivers?

Speaker wire is stranded, not the best for IDC, and it's also a high voltage / high current connection, compared to small signal wiring like found in a bass guitar. Binding posts or screw terminals are appropriate for this.

Voltages encountered in a passive bass are measured in millivolts, with currents in micro-amp range; at these low levels, it doesn't take much contact resistance or much of an oxide layer to interrupt the signal.