Switching out pickups for newbies

[olectric]

I just received a TV3 (yay!) to replace the TM2 in my Hollow T Classic. The TM2 sounds awesome; I just want more spank. Anyway, below is a pic of the electronics in my HTC. I'm just guessing at what I need to do here. The TM2 has green, white, red, and black wires, and the TV3 has yellow and black. Lemme know if I'm on the right track:

1. The red, white, green, and black wires coming out of the black cable on the right is from the bridge TM2.

Correct____ Incorrect____



2. The green and white wires are tied off because the TM2 doesn't split in any position.

Correct____ Incorrect_____



3. To install the TV3, I just replace the TM2's red with the TV3's yellow, and the TM2's black with the TV3's black.

Correct____ Incorrect____



It really is sad how very little experience I have with electronics, wiring, soldering, ect. Gotta start somewhere!

What gauge of solder to use? Also, what is the exposed wire wrapping around the black ground? Do I need to strip that much off and wrap it like that, too?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/olectric/IMG_2149.jpg

[tom]

correct, correct, correct. any smallish solder is fine. tin(melt solder on the wire by heating the wire and adding solder to it) the bare wire before making the connection to the switch. the bare wire is the drai wire from the shielded cable. you won't have one on the tv3. a 1/8" or so strip is fine.

[olectric]

Thanks! I would have never known to tin the wire. Now I just need some smallish solder...

[tom]

the stuff we use is about .030".

[olectric]

alright, the TV3 is in, new strings are on, and I'm plugged in. This thing sounds awesome--it's got all the snarl and spank I could want. Another question:

The bridge pickup is supposed to be closer to the strings than the neck, right? But not so close that it pulls the strings out of tune. So, do I just adjust it to taste or what?

[tom]

yes, to taste. string pull is not really an issue on the bridge pickup because the string is so tight at that point. play with it and see what you like best. it has plenty of output, so you can really try extremes.