Best solder...

  • Thread starter Thread starter razorbeams
  • Start date Start date
razorbeams

razorbeams

New member
Hello everyone,
I'm preparing to make my own guitar cables. I was hoping I could get some recommendations on the best kind of solder to use on the instrument cables. And how about just for the inner workings of a guitar.
Thanks
 
and just to be sure ..... absolutely DO NOT use an acid core solder.
 
I've been using 60/40 solder, a pretty thin one, from a hardware store. Make sure it says "electrical solder". The brand is Alpha and it's number 1604, and it is very easy to work with. I tend to like the thinner solders. Make sure you use a fan so you don't breath in any of the fumes.

Here's a couple of threads about this:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=294090

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=293879&highlight=soldering

I have found that the method of using balanced (stereo) wire for guitar cables and lifting the shield on one end results in superior RF rejection.
 
dintymoore said:
I tend to like the thinner solders.
Click to expand...
yep ....... ^^^^^^^ this. For a soldering newbie you'll find that thinner solders will be easier to get melted properly. Thick solder can be frustrating sometimes.
 
I've always preferred the Multicore brand. It seems like their flux doesn't leave bad residue on the boards/solder joints like some other brands.
 
M1Fanatic said:
.020" is good for small components.
Click to expand...

That's tiny small. I use .025 to do my SMT work, .020 would be fine too but with .025 I don't have to change spools to do cables.

Anybody not doing SMT will probably be happier with .031. If your iron can't melt that gauge quickly, you have the temp set wrong or you need a better iron.
 
I have a pound of .032 I use as well. Depends on the task. Either melts well at 30w. And usually one is as good as the other...except for SMT.
 
I prefer the kind of solder that's already attached to a guitar cable, but that's just me...

I'd rather record / create than solder.

To each his own, however.
 
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