Messy soldering

OK so i tried to wire my first control plate and no surprises it doesn't seem to work haha....basically how clean to the soldered joins need to be. Everything looks completely soldered in the right place as n the diagram but it doesn't work when i plug in and tap the pickups with a screwdriver i don't hear any knocking. the soldering is a bit messy could this be a problem ?

Possible that you've made some cold solder joints.

??? what does that mean ? as you can tell I'm pretty new to this stuff haha ?

cold solder joints look dull, good joints looks shiny...solder with lead works better...

http://www.tdpri.com/resources/tele-electronics/soldering-tips/

This site is for novices, kinda like me.
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/images/joints.gif

Go here for more
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/solder.htm

Lost_N_Austin