Is it possible to connect one's pickups to some kind of easy, push-in connector and then hook up its mate to the rest of the signal chain so one can easily remove/replace the electronics without soldering?
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Solder-Free Connectors?
- Thread starter selowitch
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
It's possible, sure--but finding the push-in connectors in the right size for your wires may not be easy. Small screw terminals will be easier to find.
One option is mini screw terminal blocks. I am including a link to just one page of one catalog, but there is a proliferation of products like this in all shapes and sizes:
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Screw terminal blocks like this are used in heavy duty industrial machinery, so they are quite rugged.
There are also solderless crimp-on connectors, but many of them require specialized crimping tools that will cost more than your bass.
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Screw terminal blocks like this are used in heavy duty industrial machinery, so they are quite rugged.
There are also solderless crimp-on connectors, but many of them require specialized crimping tools that will cost more than your bass.
Seems to me it would be much easier to get a good iron and learn to solder properly, it's really not that difficult with proper tools.
Sorry to be so blunt,
Dirk
Sorry to be so blunt,
Dirk
True. But suppose someone wants to change control plates often (say, in the middle of a set) -- that doesn't lend itself to whipping out a soldering iron that operates at 600° or so.
On a Jazz Bass. You'd want a connector between the pickups and the control plate (and its attached pots, jack, etc.). Let's say you wanted to send the control plate out to be worked on and when it comes back, you might like to just snap the connectors together, screw the control plate back on, and play.
This example makes no sense to me. MUCH easier to switch basses if you really, truly need a different sound for the next set.
I don't have any problem with the connector idea if for some extremely unusual reason you need to change components often - but not in the break between sets!
I'm not actually suggesting I would swap components in the middle of a performance. I'm just saying that it is one instance where it might be worth the effort to avoid having to solder.
The truth is I'm just really, really, really bad at soldering. I have the ability to play bass but working on the electronics is not my forte.
I'm gonna side with my compadres above that your example is a little wonky. 
But seriously, if you are that bad at soldering, buy a crap load of wire and solder and start practicing, or find someone to pay. There is no substitute for solid electrical connections that will hold up to the vibration that the bass will go through. Also, the best connectors for what you're talking about are, you guessed it, solder on.
But seriously, if you are that bad at soldering, buy a crap load of wire and solder and start practicing, or find someone to pay. There is no substitute for solid electrical connections that will hold up to the vibration that the bass will go through. Also, the best connectors for what you're talking about are, you guessed it, solder on.
Soldering is a very basic skill.
I would be dumbfounded if a person truly could not manage to solder after much practice.
Take the time to learn how to solder correctly and you should be able to master it fairly easily.
Acme Guitar Works offers what you're looking for
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I just stumbled across a site that makes pre-wired assemblies, and they have a solderless option.
http://www.guitar-mod.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT
It looks like they use those Acme-style (not sure of original manufacturer, jsut going with the link above) pin and sleeve connectors.
http://www.guitar-mod.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT
It looks like they use those Acme-style (not sure of original manufacturer, jsut going with the link above) pin and sleeve connectors.
Still looks like it would require soldering for the first installation. After that, you could disconnect as you choose.
FWIW, I also once shared your adversion to soldering. These days, I am a little better at it. Still sloppy by many's standards, but capable enough to make good, solid connections.
1. Get a few small alligator-type clamps so that you can hold the connection in place hands free.
2. Heat the wire (or lug) not the solder itself. Hold the iron to the area to be soldered until the solder draws into. Never actually touch the solder to the iron.
Practice a little. You'll get the hang of it quick enough.
Extremely bad idea!
Think of all the money you are going to waste when you could have done it yourself with some practice.
I have to agree with what other people are saying, you should learn how to solder. It's likely that your main problem is you're using some cheap crappy soldering iron. If you spend $40-50, you can get a pretty good iron, and it'll make soldering a whole world easier.
