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Magnetic pickup mounting

Posted by Mark Betzhold on June 26, 2016 at 3:13pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

Hi everyone,

I recently built my first proper CBG, using a neck-on-top design.  I'm hoping to add a magnetic pickup, and I'll probably either buy a Flatpup (http://www.original-flatpup.com/flatpup-cbg-pickup/86-fp3-scalloped) or build my own (http://onestringmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/winding-1-string-humbucker-pickup.html).  My concern is that, even though these pickups are pretty flat, I might still have to cut a small notch in the neck in order to prevent the strings from touching the pickup.  It wouldn't need to be very deep (the production model is advertised as being 4mm thick, and the homemade version doesn't look much thicker), but I'm still a little concerned that cutting a notch might weaken the neck a bit.  The neck is made from 1x2 hardwood (I think it's oak, but I'm not sure).  

What do you guys think?

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Replies

  • Rick Alexander June 26, 2016 at 9:53pm

    Hey Mark, I read your post earlier today, and followed the link for the diy flat pickup. I was able to make one with stuff I had. The thing works good! I'm going to post a picture. Thanks for putting that link in your post. 

    • Mark Betzhold > Rick Alexander June 26, 2016 at 10:19pm

      Glad to hear it works well.  It seems remarkably simple.  I tried making one, and it didn't work, but I think I may have used wire that was too thick.  I only got about 200 turns before it got too beefy, and I'm guessing that wasn't enough.  Also, how did you go about mounting it to the guitar?

      • Rick Alexander > Mark Betzhold June 26, 2016 at 10:49pm

        I forgot to mention that I had proper 42ga wire from StewMac left over from 10 years ago, when I made a few pickups. I just soldered it to a jack and held it next to a git to test it. I think when I mount it, I will cut a whole in the box but won't need to notch the neck. Although, I have the neck braced anyway. The times I thought I didn't need to double the neck inside the box, I regretted it later. They sound funny when the neck isn't strong enough. 

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague June 26, 2016 at 3:26pm
    I think there's another way. Put the pickup OVER the strings. Take a look at the Lace Alumitone discussion here on CBN. We've managed, with a simple bar magnet, a thickish loop of copper wire, and a specific, quite small transformer, to recreate a quite powerful pickup that can be configured for a variety of situations. This type of pup would prevent the need for cutting into the neck at all.
    • Mark Betzhold > Ron "Oily" Sprague June 26, 2016 at 3:41pm

      Oh wow, that's wild!  My knowledge of electronics is pretty limited, but I might be able to figure it out.  At the very least, I could probably figure out a way to suspend a flatpup-type thing above the strings.  It'd be ugly and kludgy, but there's definitely a certain appeal in that.  Thanks!

      • Ron "Oily" Sprague > Mark Betzhold June 26, 2016 at 4:05pm
        The designs we've collectively come up with are eminently doable with minimal electronics skill. The beauty of it is, if you use relatively thick copper wire, you can basically bend an L shape to the height you need to get above the strings.
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