I've decided to make my own pickup but I don't really have the right setup for pickup winding, so I was thinking if I could use already magnetized pole pieces without any winding. is this possible?
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Ok, 200ft of 42awg wire wrapped directly around a 3/16 magnet would give you maybe 3000 turns tops. That's for just a single pole. If you wrap that around more poles, then the distance is greater - around 2 poles at regular string spacing you would probably get less than 1000 turns. As a reference, a strat pup has over 8000 turns, and isn't a hot pickup.
200 ft, not likely to get you anything much to work with as far as regular type magnetic pickups go. Beefing up the magnetic field to compensate, is more likely to interfere with natural string vibration before it will increase output enough.
You never know though, you can always just try it and see.
I just read something on this site where someone asked if 200 feet of wire wouldn't be strong enough unless he had a really strong magnet. So, could I use neodymium magnets and not much winding?
to see pretty diagrams of magnetic fields in pickups, and lots of explanations. If you're going to design a pup from scratch, you might have to start digging.
Yes, you can use neo magnets, but they're way, way more powerful than traditional pickup magnets, and need to be used differently.
wait, so your saying I can have magnetic pole pieces and no magnet underneath? Could I use neodymium magnets? I found a company that sells pole piece shaped neodymium magnets. Also, if those do work then how should they be magnetized? (like what direction)
wait, so your saying I can have magnetic pole pieces and no magnet underneath? Could I use neodymium magnets? I found a company that sells pole piece shaped neodymium magnets. Also, if those do work then how should they be magnetized? (like what direction)
You still need magnets too. You can use rod magnets that go through the coil, or you can use a pole piece through the coil with the magnet contacting the polepiece underneath. The one in the pic has rod magnets through the coil, but I have run them with a section of 1/4" bolt through the coil and various magnets underneath. The pole needs to have iron in it, ie. be magnetically active.
For turns, look for probably 8000 upwards, but just filling the bobbins up is a good place to start. More turns = more output, but some low output pups sound awesome, and some high output ones sound shite! (this goes the other way too). alectron said:
thanks for the info. I think I'll try the individual sewing machine bobbins. what should I use for pole pieces and how many times should I wind it to get a "thick" sound, or does winding not influence that?
thanks for the info. I think I'll try the individual sewing machine bobbins. what should I use for pole pieces and how many times should I wind it to get a "thick" sound, or does winding not influence that?
I've tried various makeshift winders and eventually built a real one. Out of the makeshift ones, I like a drill or a sewing machine the best. The record player is just too slow.
For most sewing machines, you should be able to use double stick carpet tape to attach a bobbin to the wheel on the right side.
For a drill, you need a faceplate - use a piece of CBG neck board. Drill a hole in the center and countersink it, to accomodate a flat head machine screw about 1-1/2" long. Chuck the end of the screw into the drill and double stick tape your bobbin to the wood board.
Replies
Ok, 200ft of 42awg wire wrapped directly around a 3/16 magnet would give you maybe 3000 turns tops. That's for just a single pole. If you wrap that around more poles, then the distance is greater - around 2 poles at regular string spacing you would probably get less than 1000 turns. As a reference, a strat pup has over 8000 turns, and isn't a hot pickup.
200 ft, not likely to get you anything much to work with as far as regular type magnetic pickups go. Beefing up the magnetic field to compensate, is more likely to interfere with natural string vibration before it will increase output enough.
You never know though, you can always just try it and see.I just read something on this site where someone asked if 200 feet of wire wouldn't be strong enough unless he had a really strong magnet. So, could I use neodymium magnets and not much winding?
Go here
http://www.moore.org.au/pick/06/06_gobd.htm
to see pretty diagrams of magnetic fields in pickups, and lots of explanations. If you're going to design a pup from scratch, you might have to start digging.
Yes, you can use neo magnets, but they're way, way more powerful than traditional pickup magnets, and need to be used differently.
You still need magnets too. You can use rod magnets that go through the coil, or you can use a pole piece through the coil with the magnet contacting the polepiece underneath. The one in the pic has rod magnets through the coil, but I have run them with a section of 1/4" bolt through the coil and various magnets underneath. The pole needs to have iron in it, ie. be magnetically active.
For turns, look for probably 8000 upwards, but just filling the bobbins up is a good place to start. More turns = more output, but some low output pups sound awesome, and some high output ones sound shite! (this goes the other way too).
alectron said:
thanks for the info. I think I'll try the individual sewing machine bobbins. what should I use for pole pieces and how many times should I wind it to get a "thick" sound, or does winding not influence that?
I've tried various makeshift winders and eventually built a real one. Out of the makeshift ones, I like a drill or a sewing machine the best. The record player is just too slow.
For most sewing machines, you should be able to use double stick carpet tape to attach a bobbin to the wheel on the right side.
For a drill, you need a faceplate - use a piece of CBG neck board. Drill a hole in the center and countersink it, to accomodate a flat head machine screw about 1-1/2" long. Chuck the end of the screw into the drill and double stick tape your bobbin to the wood board.
If you have access to a sewing machine you could build one of these...
Or stewmac has free instructions for building a few standard style pickups.
I have also seen the coils from transformers and relays used to make pups.
Have a search. People have used turntables, cordless drills and more to wind pickups.
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