Comment

Comment by Mr. Toad on September 26, 2013 at 6:19pm

Can I use shellac as a potting material? If not, why not? If so what are the pros and cons and do I use a two pound cut?

Comment by Skeesix on May 1, 2013 at 2:43am

Yep, that's how you shield them. I do the same.

Comment by Don Goguen on January 14, 2013 at 12:33pm

I found the hardest part was figuring out how to adjust the "formula" for smaller 3 & 4 string pickups.  The mass and a variety of other factors end up a little off. 

A little experimentation gets you there in the end.

I added the comment because there is too many people who only ask that one question, (how many ohms?) as if it means anything.  Then when you get someone who tries to apply the same to smaller coils, I just tend to begin to lose it.

Not meant to be any sort of critique.  Just knowledge for those interested.  Because if anyone winds their own and thinks that resistance is any sort of measure for comparison, they are headed down a rat hole.

Hey, while I have your attention, anyone using/trying Google Plus?

Comment by Skeesix on January 14, 2013 at 12:23pm

This is true. If I want to reproduce the same pickup, I replicate the winds, not the ohms. I use DC resistance mainly to check and make sure the coil is working.

"To translate how to make a classic sounding pickup, concentrate on the build materials and method.  Wire gauge, magnet, base plate and cover."

This is true too. To make a pickup sound like a certain other pickup, you have to exactly replicate all the materials, number of winds, etc. You have to be very detail oriented.

Things to take into consideration are: wire gauge, wire insulation type, magnet size, material and value, base plate material, cover material, bobbin material, and bobbin core material if you're making a P-90 type.

The more you stray from this, the less it will sound the original you're trying to duplicate. However, if you make most of the elements the same, it will still sound "in the ballpark".

Comment by Don Goguen on January 14, 2013 at 9:05am

It has always been my understanding that DC resistance comparison are only useful in the world of apple to apples comparisons.  The history behind this is mostly observational.  Most techs have a ohm meter and it became an easy way to make comparisons.  The waters become more than just muddy if you try to translate any of this into apples to oranges comparisons.

I somewhat traveled down this rat hole when I first started winding.  I didn't have a counter yet so I needed to figure out how much to wind.  After the first couple, it became apparent that I was not going in the direction I wanted.

I have a little bit of design knowledge and understanding of a little more than basic circuit analysis.  Once I began to apply that a little, things became clearer.  What I lacked in understanding was the magnetic parts of the equation but too some extent, wasn't needed.

If you take wire and wind it into and inductor, resistor or pickup, it has more than just  DC resistive value.  The coil will have also have both inductive and self capacitive values too.  Look at simple circuit designs for filters and start changing values around, response curves change.  With magnetic pickups, you also add the magnetic field itself having an effect. 

If you over wind, and you lower the response of the pickup.  Might be fine if you want more output but you reach a point of diminishing returns.  Once you get out of the effective part of the magnetic field, those winds are not adding to the output. 

In summation (feel like I'm addressing the court) it is the number of winds that you should concern yourselves with.  DC resistance is a useless measurement.  To translate how to make a classic sounding pickup, concentrate on the build materials and method.  Wire gauge, magnet, base plate and cover.  Copy the number of winds not the resistance and you will get yourself closer to the target.

Your Honors, I rest my case.

Comment by Skeesix on December 4, 2012 at 7:12am

Hi Ralph, I'm not really sure from your photo, but here are some wiring diagrams that might help: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiring_resources_guitar_w...

Comment by Ralph Love on December 2, 2012 at 9:54pm

Hi again

Just stuck a hot rails pickup into my old cigar box but have got the wiring a little wrong. Too hard to explain but if I upload a photo it might help. Maybe then someone can tell me where I went wrong. Can only get one setting from toggle switch as the yellow wire is soldered in wrong position.

Comment by Skeesix on November 6, 2012 at 6:51pm

Normally a piezo pickup would be something that you would run through a preamp to help match the impedance (to make it sound better). My standard pickup is magnetic, so no preamp is needed.

Comment by Ralph Love on November 5, 2012 at 9:58pm

Hi There

Was wondering, do you run your pickups through a preamp built into guitar?? Or can I go straight to guitar jack.

Comment by Skeesix on November 5, 2012 at 6:32pm

Hi Ralph, ask away. I'll do my best to answer your questions. Of course, anyone else is also welcome to join in.

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