Help wiring SD 59' - only one wire

[simply2]

Hi
I have a set of SD 59' and I'm trying to wire them, but they come with only one wire each. I know that the outer shield wire should be soldered to the back of the pot, but how's the rest of the diagram?
Is it exactly like it is shown in this diagram, except for the pickup cables?
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...ic=2h_2v_2t_3w

Thanks for your help!

[Bones]

That is four conductor wiring, you have a single conductor. You are looking at the wrong diagram.

[simply2]

What is the right one? That is the one that came with the pickup!

[Bones]

what is your pickup and control configuration. Or tell me what guitar you have and I will help you out.

[simply2]

A les paul. 2 humbuckers, 2 tones 2 volumes and a 3 way switch.

[simply2]

also, i cant get to solder the outer wire to the back of the pot.

[Kam]

Hi
I have a set of SD 59' and I'm trying to wire them, but they come with only one wire each. I know that the outer shield wire should be soldered to the back of the pot, but how's the rest of the diagram?
Is it exactly like it is shown in this diagram, except for the pickup cables?
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...ic=2h_2v_2t_3w

Thanks for your help!

In the diagram you posted there's a box in the lower left corner showing a close up of how you need to wire the pickups to your volume pots. Ignore the red/green/white stuff and just look at that. The rest of the diagram is correct.

[Bones]

Okay, the braided metal shielding part of pickup needs to go to ground like how your original diagram shows the green and bare wires going to the pots. The other wire (the one inside the braided metal shielding) goes to the appropriate volume and prong. Don't get them mixed up. Do one at a time. Welcome to the forum simply2.

[Bones]

also, i cant get to solder the outer wire to the back of the pot.

You will need soldering flux, it helps alot.

[Bones]

In the diagram you posted there's a box in the lower left corner showing a close up of how you need to wire the pickups to your volume pots. Ignore the red/green/white stuff and just look at that. The rest of the diagram is correct.

Oh my ****! I didn't even see that! lol.

[simply2]

Great! thank you!

[Kam]

also, i cant get to solder the outer wire to the back of the pot.

You can try scuffing the back of the pot lightly with wire wool or sandpaper as well. Solder has trouble sticking to smooth surfaces sometimes. Also, it might be obvious, but make sure that both surfaces are clean and properly tinned. It's a bit awkward but you'll get it.

Oh my ****! I didn't even see that! lol.

Yeah man, it took me ages to notice it too. The first pickup I ever installed was a single-con '59 and I couldn't make heads or tails of the diagram that came in the package for ages until I spotted that box. Then it was like, BINGO!

[simply2]

I really cant solder to the back of the pot... i've tried everything you said, cleaned the surfaces, applied flux, etc

[Funkfingers]

You need an iron of at least 15w. 20 - 25w would be better for the pot chassis and pre-soldering the braid.

EDIT: Use flux cored solder NOT the cheap acidic type supplied by the likes of Radio Shack.

[simply2]

i have a 40w one... can somebody please tell me step by step the best way to do this?

[King IzzO)))]

Radio Shack does sell flux core solder, and it works fine for this use.

I think you might not have the tip on your iron tinned correctly. If it's black or corroded it will not heat up correctly and you could actually ruin your pots by getting them too hot. A 40w iron should do this easy, so I think tinning might be your problem.

To tin your iron you need to touch the solder directly to the iron tip. If solder will not melt to the iron tip even after your iron has been on for a while you need a new tip. You can cheat by grinding off the gunk/corrosion on the tip and then try tinning again, and this will get you by, but you will still need a new tip.

Point being, you should have a visible coating of solder on the iron tip, once you do, you're ready to solder.

I use a wire brush to clean/scuff the back of pots first, but sandpaper works too, and there's flux in the solder, so you don't HAVE to apply flux to the pots.

Put the iron to the back of the pot and touch the solder in the proximity of the iron's contact point, it should flow pretty quickly. If it doesn't, stop, and go buy a new iron or you'll be buying new pots AND a new iron. Once it flows make a pea-sized glob on the back of the pot.

Take your braided shield wire, set it on top of your glob and hold it in place with needle nose or roach clips, the braid will get hot quick!

Touch your iron to both the back of the pot and the braid on the wire, the shielding will literally soak up the glob of solder, once it does this remove the iron. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MOVE TILL IT'S COOLED. The solder should be shiny once it's cool. If it's dull grey looking, you moved too soon, it is not a good connection and will need redone.

Give the wire a little tug, it should stay in place to the pot. If it does, you're done.

Hope this helps.

[simply2]

thanks guys! i realized the problem was all the solder. I bought a new one, a good 2 mm, and everything sudenly was easy and quick. I also bought a steel sandpaper, that might have helped. i just hope i didnt mess up some pot with all the heat i applied trying for ages make it work. i'll know soon, just 2 more wires to go!

[simply2]

well.. not what i was expecting.. It's working, i mean, you can play, but there's a LOT of hum. It even beeps while i'm keyboarding. Also, when i select a pickup, both volumes knobs control the volume. and the tone knob is a little weird.. I dont have a clue what is going on, but i will tomorrow buy new wire, new pots and caps (around 20 euros) and start all over.

[simply2]

my only fear is that the pickup cables are messed up too, since i've tried to many times solder the outer shield wire to the pot back. I dont know if i'll be able to get it desolded without messing it even more. What if i applied so much heat that the outer shield wire blended with the inner wire?

[Bones]

You need to post a picture of control cavity because it sounds like you messed something up. We will help you out, just give it some time.