I have set out to make a pickup winder and try my hand at winding a few of my own. I fashioned a counter out of a pedometer and was trying to use a magnet and reed switch to trigger it. The set up works as long as I keep the revs down to about 20 or 30 rpms. Much faster then that and the reed switch is not reacting fast enough to keep up. Has anyone else had this problem?
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The problem is the counter, not the reed switch. Pedometers and calculators can't keep up. You need a real counter, such as a Red Lion Cub Counter.
I disagree that the # of winds is not important. I take extensive notes and measurements on all my pickups so I can recreate my designs and have consistent results.
However, if you're just getting your feet wet, and just want to make a one-off, it's not that critical. Just fill up the bobbin.
Skeesix goes by # of winds I use a wire length counter, both methods get you there.
Number of winds takes skill and practice for accurate repeatability.
Wire length relies on accurately measurable numbers for consistency.
I like my way because when I get wire from a new supplier I cut off a 12" piece, measure the resistance, divide the target coil resistance by the resistance per foot and have the exact length of wire needed for the coil. Haven't been making pickups very long but I've wound coils for a few decades.
All said and done ends up being do you like Red Delicious or Granny Smith. :-)
I have a tendency to try to make an art out of something that should be a science. A compromise is needed ;-)
Ah, it's not about imbalance with multi-pups, measurements are for placing the pickups in position to get the tone you want.
Some people like the bridge hot others like the neck hotter than the bridge, knowing a real number let's you tailor that for yourself and customers.
Hand wound coils of 8000 and 9200 winds might not be as far apart in resistance as you think. Differences in winding tension, speed, wire lot, inaccurate wind count, coil form, etc all affect the end result.
So wind up a batch of coils using PK's "wind til it looks right", measure the resistances, mark them, then match to the best use for each coil. Guarantee they'll have "awesomeness of tone".
Are you working on commission from a multimeter manufacturer? ;-)
Coil resistance matters for multi-pup setups and I'm thinking it's a pretty good idea to have the coils of a humbucker match within reason. ;-)
Don't sweat it, just keep on winding.
Number of winds is pretty pointless anyway.
Take an ohm reading of the completed coil, that's the important measurement.
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