Solder joints "going dry???"

[derick]

Hi,

I've been perusing the old instruments on the Reverb, and I came across this description of a '64 Precision bass...

"With the exception of the solder joints that I had my tech clean up as they had become dry, it's all original and complete including the case."

Now, I don't get out much, and I frankly think that people who obsess over "original solder" need to get a life, but I've never heard of a solder joint "going dry."

Is it a real thing? Or possibly just a sleight of hand to obscure NOS pots being installed?

[Ken Baker]

Now, I don't get out much, and I frankly think that people who obsess over "original solder" need to get a life, but I've never heard of a solder joint "going dry."

Sounds like those folks who throw a few hundred at special knobs for their stereo equipment.

Is it a real thing? Or possibly just a sleight of hand to obscure NOS pots being installed?

Solder joints don't go "dry". In this case, however, they're in a piece of equipment that moves around and is a source of vibration. This means that solder joints or wires can break or otherwise fail. In a 54 year old bass, something is bound to break. But tin/lead solder does not dry out.

There is such a thing as a cold solder joint, and these can make their presence known in new equipment. A cold solder joint is one where the pieces being soldered together are not heated enough to properly adhere to the solder. You end up with a glob of solder covering a loose joint, and that will quickly become a problem.

Ken...

[derick]

Hi Ken, thanks for weighing in.

Yes I certainly understand that solder joints can go bad, and I have some experience with that. But, to resolder because the joint had "gone dry" was a new one on me.

And yes, I knew one of the guys who sprung for the gold plated plugs and jacks. You could hear the difference! Amazingly, after he did this there was a hollow, empty sound whenever he touched his wallet.

[Ken Baker]

And yes, I knew one of the guys who sprung for the gold plated plugs and jacks. You could hear the difference! Amazingly, after he did this there was a hollow, empty sound whenever he touched his wallet.

Gold plating (it doesn't have to be horrendously expensive) can make a difference in high current scenarios because gold doesn't oxidize, which can hurt current carrying capability. So there is that. I did laugh at the empty wallet thing.

I was talking about snake oil wooden knobs for audiophiles. Clearly snake oil, but some people bought into it. I call it the P.T. Barnum effect.

Ken...

[derick]

Wooden knobs for audiophiles? To avoid the capacitance of the human body fouling the pure fidelity of the circuit? Yeah, I'll take the gold contacts.

The amazing thing is what we bought (and paid!) for stereos in the seventies, and now everyone listens through a 5mm ear speaker.

Progress?

I'm not exactly certain when it happened, but I have obviously crossed the line into old fartdom.

[Ken Baker]

Wooden knobs for audiophiles? To avoid the capacitance of the human body fouling the pure fidelity of the circuit? Yeah, I'll take the gold contacts.

The amazing thing is what we bought (and paid!) for stereos in the seventies, and now everyone listens through a 5mm ear speaker.

Progress?

I still have my RSL Elans. I've had to replace both mids and the rear-firing passive woofers, but the systems work.

I'm not exactly certain when it happened, but I have obviously crossed the line into old fartdom.

I know that feeling all too well.

Ken...

[TDR1138]

I still have my RSL Elans. I've had to replace both mids and the rear-firing passive woofers, but the systems work.

My roommate in college had those, swore by them. Ah, the good ol' days. Now GET OFF MY LAWN!

[Al Evans]

Gold plating (it doesn't have to be horrendously expensive) can make a difference in high current scenarios because gold doesn't oxidize, which can hurt current carrying capability.
Ken...

If you have a high current going through your bass or guitar cable, your problems extend way beyond the surface of the connectors!

--Al Evans

[Ken Baker]

If you have a high current going through your bass or guitar cable, your problems extend way beyond the surface of the connectors!

Yeah - 100 amps in the control cavity might just get exciting.

Ken...