I really really hate soldering, circuits, stuff...

... :(

Even though I did a Beng in electronic engineering, I've always hated circuits and soldering; it's so horrible... &, I'm teaching a course in robotics in a couple of weeks where the students have to make robots (ok, I cheated and got kits that don't involve soldering!). It's horrible stuff.

Even though my bloody pickups did not arrive today, I thought I'd take the pickups (a Bare Knuckle and a Peter Florence Voodoo) out of my Epi LP and put the original Epis back in. Then I had a look and thought fuk that. :(

So so ugly in there:

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Yuck.

It's my fault of course, I was lazy and took the pickups/guitar to a shop (supposedly the best tech in this city) rather than put them in myself.

I was gonna keep the decent pickups, but I've never liked the sound of them (I didn't dislike them either, just meh.), and looking at that horrible mess, I just put the plate back on and will sell the guitar with the pickups in; obviously, I will lose the value of the pickups. C'est la vie.

When my new pickups arrive, I'll put them in the Gibson Special, I was hoping to practice soldering on the Epi, but just can't deal with this horribleness (I have no idea what's going on in that spaghetti; and, I don't want to know; it hurts my entire being just thinking about it), so I'll practice on bits of wire. How do you folks put up with soldering??? It's a repulsive thing.

Soldering, circuits, stuff like that - it's the devil's business.

I actually only see one bit of poor soldering here. The two red wires to the back of the pot. Otherwise looks good
 
I'm interested in the control cavity shielding I am seeing. What benefit can I expect? If my guitar isn't making any extraneous noise now will I gain anything? Or is it more of a live performance/lots more electronics around preventative?

Generally, live it makes absolutely zero difference, but in the studio, on recordings, it can make a huge difference.
 
someone HAS TO SOLDER the robots together--- to work to do the soldering

The robots solder the robots, obviously... Get with the program, eESGe!!!

The more I think about it, the better the Gibson circuitboard cavities are (done by robots); in fact, any other sort of wiring should be made illegal.

Anyways, what do you think about this soldering (an Aussie fella):

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If you're wondering what the little ground wires are for, it's because I particularly hate soldering to pots, so asked the fella to prepare that for me... :) Foresight... &, I will still fuk it up (if the new pickups ever arrive...). Now, because I wanted to change the pickups on the SG which had a circuit board there was no avoiding some soldering - but, I have kept it to a minimum by purchasing that harness (and yes, it has both the treble bleed and the smooth taper volume - will they improve the sound and/or playability? I have no idea, but I will tell you once it's all done [if it works...]).

&, as a bonus shot, you get to see my ugly little ShihTzu - BTW, we have been discussing the issue, and he agrees with me about this soldering lark:

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(The wife got the cover...)
 
I've come full circle with pickups. Nothing is quieter or sounds better than EMG....and less soldering...if that sort of thing appeals to you...
 
Dad had one of the Weller soldering guns when I was growing up. What an awful pain in the arse. Those will make you appreciate a simple iron.

I like the resistance unit to attach stuff to turrets. Otherwise I like a 35-40 watt iron with a small tip. I really like the cheap Weller's with the 3 LEDs. Extra light always helps.
 
Robert your Purple Picasso is missing its Schtick ---- to be more direct -- wheres your wang bar man ????

(go on guys insert jokes here_________________________________________________________________________________________________)
 
In fact after that experience I wouldn't use a gas iron on anything!!!!

It's nostalgic. many moons ago, young Grumpy used to be a fax engineer (just out of uni...), and we all used gas soldering irons in those days - did the job just fine and very portable which was important because all the jobs were in offices around London.
 
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