So I've got some electricity/electronics background but I've never done my own pickup swap before.

I'm considering putting the GFS True Coil Texas set in my CV 60's strat. I'm ok with wiring diagrams, but I have a few questions.

1. I saw the soldering iron thread and I haven't read through it yet - in the past when I've looked at the solder points in the control cavity it would appear that I'd need 2 soldering irons - one with a nice fine point, and another one without the fine point for soldering things to the top of the pots etc. This sound about right? I've got a soldering iron with a large blunt tip at the moment.

2. When soldering 2 wires together, holding the twisted wires up while holding the soldering iron and solder is a real PITA. Is there some tool to hold the wires so I can hold the soldering iron with one hand and the solder with the other?

3. How does one test the soldered connection points? I've got a meter that can read resistence, but I don't know where to meaure. Also, do you put the pickups in, restring, then mount the controls on a piece of cardboard until you get the connections right/tested and then reassemble?

4. Any tips on where to buy the gear would be very helpful as well as types of solder (size mainly), and any other tips you pro's know about would be great.

thanks! I've been wanting to do this for some time and the CV will make a great test bed I think.