Help; First attempt at replacing a pick up

[Northsider]

Hey All, I'm considering replacing the bridge pick up in my Monaco Elite. I've never done this before so before I begin, would you like to offer any advice? Thanks

[carfish7]

Get a GOOD soldering iron......

Watch some videos, and then practice soldering before going at the real thing. It isn't hard to do, but some reps will help to avoid winding up withcold solder joints or the need for a professional intervention.

[Bobby Marshall]

Murkat recommended a soldering iron to me. Works like a charm. Before that I couldn't get a good solder.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html

[carfish7]

I could send you a couple dead pots to practice on if you'd like..........

You need to heat both the connecting wire AND the point it is attaching to, but don't want to linger too long on the surfaces. Keep the tip clean and use the right solder/temp and it is pretty easy to get the hang of it with a little practice.

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

On the non-soldering front, protect your guitar from scratches and other damage. Pups have lots of sharp edges, so if you drop it you'll damage the guitar's finish. I use a fluffy towel to cover up the guitar.

Solder forms little hot balls which fall off of soldering irons. It will burn right through the finish of your guitar, melt plastic pick guards, and wreak havok with skin.

Never try to catch a falling soldering iron.

Learn to strip wire without damaging the copper wires.

[hamerhead]

Don't you have some old PRS laying around you could practice on?

[Northsider]

This should do it. On a Hamer no less.

[aknapp]

Never try to catch a falling soldering iron.

+1

Your hand will hate you for days if you do catch one!

[Toadroller]

+2

When I was a wee lad, my father was working on the wiring on one of his motorcycles and I picked up the "electric screwdriver" by the blade. It was a soldering iron. Dropped it right away.

I didn't even cry. Not until mommy came home, that is.

[rj2858]

Murkat recommended a soldering iron to me. Works like a charm. Before that I couldn't get a good solder.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html

Just had to watch the attached video on this, when I saw the title.

I just had to see where that was going to go!

[gorch]

Practise is always helpful. Unsolder and resolder an old radio or other electronic equipment. It's worth to own a lead pump or what it's called in English. Cleanup of old lead is essential before leading new stuff.