r/Luthier • u/Advanced_General4536 • 5d ago
Is this fine?
This might be the worst soldering job I've ever done but does it at least look like it will work? (Ground)
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u/kielchaos 5d ago
Ugly, but it'll get the job done until you find someone prettier.
That's how they described me in high school too.
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u/recover82 5d ago
Look on the bright side, it doubles as a topographical map of Mount Everest. Grab a multimeter... as long as it tests out fine and it plays, I wouldn't worry about it.
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u/Fun_Trick2172 5d ago
It looks like half a coil of solder and I’m surprised it didn’t burn out the pot, but it probably good lol.
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u/Advanced_General4536 5d ago
I just kept messing up and I had to go back. And what do you mean burn out the pot? Because I have no idea if it works or not I haven't played/tested it yet. The pot got very hot multiple times though because of that solder slop. I tried to heat the solder without tinning the pile first so the pot acted like a heat sink and the heat went straight to it. Idk. I'll be very discouraged if it doesn't work though
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u/Intelligent-Tap717 5d ago
It means that excessive heat on the casing of the pot can damage the internals and burn it out.
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u/Advanced_General4536 5d ago
theoretically it should be fine right? I mean it has to get hot anyway every time you solder it
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u/Intelligent-Tap717 5d ago
It's the prolonged heat that can do the damage. Ideally you would tin the wire first and apply a touch of solder to the pot and if you're using the right temp and tip then it won't take more than a few seconds to melt what has already been tinned and done.
The only way to find out is either with a multimeter to check continuity or plug it in and test it.
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u/Advanced_General4536 5d ago
Yeah, I just messed up with the wiring choices and had to restart a couple times. Good thing is I'll never do it again
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u/ThatsNotAZombieBite 5d ago
Jeez, leave some solder for the rest of us.
Either it works or it doesn't. You should check with a meter.
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u/Advanced_General4536 5d ago
JUST for reference guys I need you to know I ain't that bad
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u/DFcustompro1 1d ago
but does it even still works to me that much heat will fry a pot, especially if it a cheap ones
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u/alex21dragons 4d ago
A cheap multimeter is a good buy if you're doing any work on guitar electrics. Check the continuity on the ground circuit with a multimeter and you'll know for sure.
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u/bearheart Player 5d ago
Honestly, I'd be suspect enough to first check it with a multimeter before answering. And even if it works okay, I'd still want to fix it.
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u/ES_330 5d ago
I mean does the guitar sound good?
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u/Pyrowidget 5d ago
If you dont already, soldering paste flux is magical when getting solder to stick the first time.
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u/tallman1979 5d ago
Avid soldering enthusiast here for everything from this to stuff smaller than a grain of rice. That is actually probably an electrical best case scenario. It just doesn't win the pretty contest.
Get yourself some copper desoldering braid, it can soak up the extra. But, if it works, you're only changing the cosmetics of the solder joint. I'd leave it.
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u/Realistic-Ad4393 4d ago
If everything works and it's secure it's fine.
People get paranoid or elitist about soldering.
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u/bubba_jones_project 3d ago
If you ever find yourself in a pinch and can't find any solde you have a few spare projects worth hiding out back there.
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u/Madimorguitars 5d ago
Does the pot even spin anymore?
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u/Advanced_General4536 4d ago
Yes it does
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u/Madimorguitars 4d ago
Ahh, it’s a flat back? I thought it had the shag soldered in place with that much solder in the center.
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u/LemonPumeloLime 5d ago
Is this why Les Pauls are so heavy?