#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

hand winding pickups

I have a question? I am thinking about winding my own pickups I do know some stuff but the stuff i dont know leads me to my questions. Magnetic pickups do the pins in the bobbin have to be magnetic or is it the wire itself that is magnetic. If the pins are magnets where do you source them. are there non magnetic pickups? Looking at 42 awg magnetic wire for the job is that the best choice? secrets, tips and advice appreciated. Is it neccesary to wax them or is electrical tape surround good enough.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on January 16, 2014 at 9:23am

The poles are magnetic, wire is not. Non magnetic pickups are piezos. Common gauges for winding are 41, 42, 43. Wax potting, or dipping in lacquer, is highly recommended to reduce or eliminate microphonic feedback. Pole-type magnets are common, but bar magnets work very well too.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 16, 2014 at 10:49am

I've been playing with this very process recently. It's interesting, but so much work without the right equipment...

A Magnetic Pickup is basically a magnet wrapped in wire, the string vibrates, distorting the magnetic field, which is picked up by the coil.

Most pole based pickups have rods that are some flavor of steel, with bar magnets on the bottom of the pickup to magnetize them. The bobbin is often plastic, which is wrapped in a massive coil. To get consistency, you need some mechanism to count the number of wraps in your coil. . . .

Here's a good read...

http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE140/resources/Guitar-Projec...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hellhound Custom Built Guitars on January 16, 2014 at 12:44pm

Active pickups still need to be magnetic?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hellhound Custom Built Guitars on January 16, 2014 at 12:48pm

just purchased a magnetizing tool so hopefully I can magnetize some steel rod or dowel pins and flat steel bar. Have the parts to make a winder. So nothing else but to do but build one- trial by fire I guess. Any other Knowledge on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 16, 2014 at 1:33pm

active pickups are all magnetic. You'll never get the steel posts magnetized enough to be effective, but by attaching bar or disc magnets to them, they'll carry a magnetic field and be effectively magnetized. Take a look at an existing pickup and you'll see.

I recently made a rudimentary 3-string pickup with 2 pieces of 1/8" ply, and three rods, some wire, and a bar magnet. It works, but the wire I had was too heavy (36Ga) and not long enough, but it proved my concept. Take a look at the link above, it'll get you some basics. You can also buy pickup kits that are proven designs so you can practice your winding skills. I spent 1/2 hour last night winding a flat pickup using 3: 1/2"x 1/16" round Neodynium (sp?) magnets. Unfortunately the 42ga wire snagged on my clothing after about 3000 winds and broke. For giggles I tested it and it worked, but it was really weak. I'll have to rewind it if I want to put it to beneficial use.

There is a lot of trial and error in your future if you want to make a lot of good ones.

John