6 Best Soldering Iron For Guitar Repairs – Buying Guide + Recommendations
From indulging your DIY ethos to making mods to saving big money, a soldering iron is the foot soldier of your guitar repair and mod-station. That being said, soldering is an art that demands self-learning, errors you chalk up to experience and the best soldering iron for the job.
In simple terms, a soldering iron is a device that concentrates heat at the tip that can be applied to melt and connect two metal pieces or metal wires to ‘solder’ them together. In the guitar realm, a high-quality soldering iron is essential to work with capacitors, cables, wiring, and pots.
Further on, you can use it to rewire a pedal’s circuit or build a DIY stompbox. And, with a workshop and advanced skills, you could even make amps. Ah, but let’s not jump the gun. The truth is repairing or making guitar cables is the #1 reason guitarists consider a soldering iron.
Whatever your needs may be, in this post I cover the key factors you should be aware of before you buy a soldering iron for any guitar-related work. If you have no prior experience with soldering, refer to my brief but helpful tips/buyer guide before you read the reviews to make a purchase.
Table of Contents
What is the best soldering iron for guitar in 2021?
Reliability, efficiency, and cost are the three main things to look out for while buying a soldering iron. In this section, I have listed my top 6 picks for the best soldering iron for guitar players, but the right choice for you will vary based on your needs and budget. Here is a quick summary for those in a hurry and then we move on to the detailed reviews.
#1 Best for Beginners: Weller WLC100 Soldering Iron on Amazon
#2 Best Budget: Yome 14-in1 Soldering Iron Kit on Amazon
#3 Best Multi-Use: Merece Digital Soldering Iron Kit on Amazon
#4 Best Overall: Hakko FX888 D Soldering Station on Amazon
#5 Best Premium: Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station on Amazon
#6. Best LED: X-Tronic Model 3020-XTS LED Soldering Station on Amazon
1.Best for Beginners: Weller WLC100 Soldering Iron
Product Highlights:
- 60W Soldering Iron with adjustable power
- Aluminum frame solder sucker
- 5 Soldering Tips included
- Excellent Value for Money
- Ideal for hobbyists and beginners
The WLC100 Soldering Iron is a pocket-friendly choice for those who are new to the DIY world. It’s an easy-to-use and lightweight solder for small-scale guitar or pedal work, which makes it ideal for hobbyists eager to have a go at guitar repairs and mods.
It features a soldering head, tip, and station stand to stop the solder so that you don’t accidentally burn stuff. Secondly, the soldering iron can be mixed and matched with a variety of tips, which makes it highly versatile. You can dial wattage from 5 to 40 watts to suit different use cases.
This is handy when you need low wattage to protect delicate parts. Other times, you can amp it up for more heat to meld larger components. For a few extra bucks, you can get a brass cleaner and “helping hands” unit that includes a magnifying glass and two alligator clamps that swivel.
The soldering iron is not meant for intricate or expert work. Weller offers better models for guitar technicians or experienced users. That said, the WLC100 is robust enough for most guitar repairs and will serve you for many years. It’s not a do-it-all unit, but perfect to get you started.
2.Best Budget: Yome 14-in1 Soldering Iron Kit
Product Highlight:
- 60W Soldering Iron with adjustable power
- Aluminum frame solder sucker
- 5 Soldering Tips included
- Excellent Value for Money
- Ideal for hobbyists and beginners
Yome offers a 100-Volt Soldering Iron Kit with a 60 Watt solder, solder sucker, assorted accessories, 5 tips, and a PU carry bag for storing and transporting your tools. It also includes a stand, wire stripper/cutter, tin wire tube, and electronic wires.
The stand is immensely helpful to place the hot iron in breaks while it is still in use. The other great thing about the iron is the built-in temperature control to dial-up or reduce the heat. The assortment of tools like the tweezer and wire stripper are also helpful during guitar repairs.
Lastly, the kit includes a solder-sucker (de-soldering pump) with an aluminum frame for single-hand use. Solder suckers are used to remove solder from a PCB by heating the connection and sucking it away with the vacuum-powered pump.
All in all, it’s a good middle-of-the-road kit for hobbyists or beginners who want to learn the ropes of soldering. As long as you don't use it for long hours and find a suitable temperature, it will fulfill basic electronic work while providing a lot of bang for your buck.
3.Best Kit: Merece Digital Soldering Iron Kit
Product highlights:
- 65W Soldering Station with Temperature Control
- Solder sucker & 5 Tips included
- Sleep and standby mode
- LED Display and Temp Lock button
- Do-it-all unit for all levels of users
The Merece Soldering Kit features an LED display, roller hold, sponge-tip cleaner, and a soldering iron holder. The iron has a silicone heat shield and protective cord over the plug for added safety. The adjustable temperature range is 176 to 896℉ with a temperature lock button.
This is a ceramic iron so it is perfect for a solid weld or precise work. The 5 solder tips included in the kit are top notch and can cover all of your guitar-related work. The soldering kit also includes a tip cleaner, spare solder wire, a solder sucker pump, and some other tidbits.
The standby and sleep modes are a great addition compared to other units. The solder will automatically enter standby mode after 10 minutes of being idle. The sleep mode kicks in after 20 minutes of the unit not being used. That's good for safety and the environment.
Overall, Merece has the best soldering iron for guitar repairs and mods, regardless of your experience level. If you are new and buy this unit for the sake of future-proofing, ensure that you read the manual and instructions before applying it to DIY use.
4.Best Overall: Hakko FX888 Soldering Station
Product highlights:
- ESD Safe Soldering Station
- Ceramic heating element & sensor
- 5 Temperature Presets
- Sponge and wire cleaner
- Pricey, but excellent value and quality
Like Weller, Hakko is another well-known name in the world of DIY soldering. Designed by Japanese designer Kita Toshiuiki, the Hakko range offers compact state-of-the-art soldering products for DIY-ers and enthusiasts who need an ESD safe station for repairs.
As for the Hakko FX888, the soldering kit includes a soldering station with a soldering iron, soldering iron holder, power supply, cleaning sponge (damp), and a brass cleaner. The soldering iron range is the highest in class with a top reading of 899F.
The iron handpiece is smooth and easy to handle. You can set and use 5 temperature presets with the adjustable (LCD) display on the compact station to improve your workflow. Lastly, you can use the stand to store the iron or clean it with the wire and sponge tips as required.
These blue-meets-yellow soldering stations are known for their ergonomics, efficiency, and portability. They are powerful, with ceramic heating elements and sensors for precise work. For those with more cash to spare, the Hakko FX951 is an equally commendable unit.5.Best Premium: Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station
Product highlights:
- 70W Soldering Station with Safety Rest
- Temperature Control and Stable Temperature
- Brass and Sponge Tip Cleaner included
- Standby mode + Digital Display
- Best soldering iron for guitar repair and mods
Weller WE1010 is a 70 Watt Solder Station with the same features as WES51 but with a digital interface and additional power. Weller products are designed in Germany, assembled south of the US border, and shipped across North America for distribution.
That said, it is one of the finest soldering irons you can buy for $100. The soldering iron is comfortable, safe, and easy to work with. It has excellent temperature control and heats up fast. You can also use the 3 presets to customize the unit based on the type of solder you use.
The high power ensures that the tip temperature remains stable. The LCD gives you optical feedback on the heating elements. Another great thing is that the Weller tips are easy to replace with other aftermarket brands as they are a common type.
In a nutshell, this is a rock-solid unit with excellent performance and digital features. The unit heats up and retains stable temperature so you can work fast or make precise repairs to your guitar. The components are top quality, although an on/off switch would have been ideal.
6.Best Premium: Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station
Product highlights:
- 70W Soldering Station with Safety Rest
- Temperature Control and Stable Temperature
- Brass and Sponge Tip Cleaner included
- Standby mode + Digital Display
- Best soldering iron for guitar repair and mods
Weller WE1010 is a 70 Watt Solder Station with the same features as WES51 but with a digital interface and additional power. Weller products are designed in Germany, assembled south of the US border, and shipped across North America for distribution.
That said, it is one of the finest soldering irons you can buy for $100. The soldering iron is comfortable, safe, and easy to work with. It has excellent temperature control and heats up fast. You can also use the 3 presets to customize the unit based on the type of solder you use.
The high power ensures that the tip temperature remains stable. The LCD gives you optical feedback on the heating elements. Another great thing is that the Weller tips are easy to replace with other aftermarket brands as they are a common type.
In a nutshell, this is a rock-solid unit with excellent performance and digital features. The unit heats up and retains stable temperature so you can work fast or make precise repairs to your guitar. The components are top quality, although an on/off switch would have been ideal.
Buying Guide: Best Soldering Iron For Guitar Players
What is a Soldering Iron?
A solder or soldering iron is a commonly used hand tool to apply heat to solder pieces together. The instrument typically contains a solder tip, an iron, and a handle insulated with silicone. The other end of the iron runs a cord with a plug to supply electric current to the solder. Some soldering irons have a battery-powered operation and are more portable.
Inside the soldering iron, you will find a “heating element” – a term for nichrome or ceramic elements that have resistive properties to generate heat at the tip and maintain it. Based on the type of job you are performing, you may need anything between 365 °F to 896 °F of heat.
In our context – the guitar repair soldering jobs – the soldering iron is used for repairs, modifications to the electronics, or making guitar cables. It can be used by guitar players, guitar shops, technicians, or high-volume production lines that have small welding jobs.
Types of Soldering Irons:
Soldering is done using different tools based on their use, wattage, and design. The most commonly used tools to solder are –
Pencil irons:
Pencil irons are (as the name suggests) soldering irons shaped like a pencil connected to a wall plug to power them. They are slim, easy-to-wield, and often have a fixed operating temperature with an on/off switch. Based on the model, they may or may not have a stand.
Soldering stations:
A soldering station refers to a standalone or integrated temperature control unit that supplies power to the soldering iron. It may include a bronze/wire cleaner, sponge cleaner, and stand to rest the tool when it is not in use.
Stands are helpful as you need someplace to put the hot iron when it is not in use. You can only appreciate how useful a stand is after you burn a few holes in your desk or carpet. But the main selling point of stations is the variable temperature that can be dialed as per your needs.
Soldering Guns:
Soldering guns are not very popular for guitar work as they are heavy-duty units used in metalworking. They need a high level of expertise to ensure that you don't accidentally melt or set equipment on fire as they can get very hot… very fast.
Types of Soldering Iron Tips
Every soldering iron uses a soldering tip. You can either buy a soldering iron with a fixed tip or one that allows you to change tips. The latter, in terms of versatility, is self-evidently a better choice. Soldering tips can be fixed, but most make/models now come with interchangeable tips.
Tips are available in a wide range of shapes, widths, and prices. Tips can either be sharp/conical like a pencil, flat/wide like a wood chisel, or flat/narrow like a flathead screwdriver. Most tips are made with iron (hard-wearing) and copper (excellent conductor of heat).
Pointy tips are used for soldering precise sockets. The other two are used for casings or other scenarios when you need to heat a wide area. You can buy new tips from the same brand or other appropriate aftermarket tips, which tend to be cheaper if you know where to look for them.
Take a few minutes to clean and maintain your soldering iron tips to increase their lifespan. Plus, you don’t want gunk from your last job littering the next task. Secondly, tips wear out over time and need to be replaced. So, ensure that the tips of your product as easily available.
How to clean a soldering iron?
As you use your soldering iron for guitar repairs, the tip will oxidize. Over time, the soldering becomes difficult because of the burnt flux. You will get a wire and/or sponge cleaner with most products these days. Alternatively, you can buy aftermarket options to add to your kit.
The sponge cleaner needs to be damp while you work (not wet). You will use it repeatedly to wipe the tip of the solder to keep it clean. You also need to remove oxide with a wire cleaner, but be careful not to scratch the plating.
Clean your tips with a damp (not wet) cloth or sponge after use right before you switch the iron off and call it a day. If you own a soldering station, it generally has a sponge for the same purpose. A well-maintained tip will always look shiny and silvery, not oxidized or blackened. An oxidized tip points to the presence of contaminants.
Soldering Iron Wattage: How much power for guitar repair and mods?
The exact amount of power you need is directly proportional to the type of soldering jobs you intend to perform with a soldering iron. Honestly, for guitar work, you rarely need too much power because you are working with delicate parts and circuit boards. 15 to 40 watts should suffice for these use cases.
You only need higher wattage for amp building, working with a chassis, or soldering springs. If you are keen to take up soldering and DIY guitar mods, you can future proof with a soldering iron with 50 to 60 watts of power. Either way, ensure that you can dial in the amount as per your needs for the sake of versatility and extra control.
Soldering Iron Elements: Ceramic or Nichrome?
Soldering irons have two types of elements – Nichrome and Ceramic. The Nichrome wire element refers to a resistance wire made from nickel and chromium. Nichrome is commonly used because of its electrical resistance properties that allow current passed through it to produce heat.
A ceramic heating element also has similar intrinsic resistive properties. Its thermal output makes it ideal to resist the flow of current, which generates heat outwards. Ceramic elements are known to be efficient, non-toxic, and they heat up quickly.
Ceramic Elements are generally used in smaller soldering units or pencil arms. They heat up very fast but don’t sustain heat as well as nichrome elements. Nichrome elements take longer to heat up but retain heat better at the tip. They are typically used in bigger soldering irons.
Guitar repairs can make do with either type unless you are using one for a shop or production line with repetitive work. In which case, a nichrome wire is a better choice as it can sustain heat at the tip for long hours of repetitive work.
In Conclusion
So, whether you intend to make your own guitar cable or do DIY repairs, I have shared a variety of insights into the world of soldering. For better or worse, it’s not possible to try different products before you decide on one. I hope the buying guide and links I provided will be helpful.
The first step is a decent soldering iron to put your newly acquired skills to the test. Who knows, in a few weeks you might be able to hack a PCB, super-charge a stompbox with mods, or at the very least, find interesting soldering projects to spice up your weekends.
Stick to the pocket-friendly irons to pet your curiosity as a beginner. Upgrade to a premium soldering iron for guitar work when versed in the art of soldering. Or, as I often recommend, future proof if you are committed to the task. Either way and as always, Happy Hunting!
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