I decided to test drive my soldering skills by tinning a few wires. The first one worked OK, but it looked like a solder lollipop from the blob on the end. Sure was shiny though. After that I decided to strip the loose connection on my current pot, tin it, and reconnect it. I managed to get it all done pretty nicely, if I do say so myself. I ain't no DVM (yet), but it's nice to know that I can now do basic guitar electronic repairs by myself.
FWIW, I bought the Terry Downs "Fundamental Soldering Skills" DVD which is very helpful indeed. Highly recommended if you don't have a friend who can show you the soldering ropes.
BTW, could one of the mods move this thread to "Mods, Projects, Repairs, Fixing"? It would be more appropriate there. I forgot about that forum when I originally posted.