thoughts on 46 awg?

[StarryNight]

I have an opportunity to buy a small amount of single-nylon 46 awg. just wondering what are your impressions or experiences working with this thin a guage. Sonically what would one expect? I have been asked about winding hotter pickups but perhaps this is too thin even for those who like to shred/chunk etc...? I've noticed some makers get 18-23k from a humbucker - I assume they must be using something this thin...

[David Schwab]

Is that the stuff on eBay? I was just looking at that. The price is good, but shipping to the US is crazy.

I've never used 46, but I have used 45.

If you wind a regular number of turns as you would with thicker wire, it will be brighter with more mids and a tighter low end. The thinner wire allows you to wind more on a bobbin of course, and then after a certain point it will become very dark sounding, depending on the magnet you use.

[David Schwab]

I just got the roll of 46 today. I haven't used it yet, but I have plans for it already.

Man that stuff is as thin as hair!

[belwar]

Awww cmon share those plans!

Inquiring nosey minds want to know!

[David Schwab]

Awww cmon share those plans!

Inquiring nosey minds want to know!

It's a Jazz Bass sized pickup with an unusual coil arrangement.

That's all I'm going to say!

[ubertar]

46, that's nothing.
I've used as thin as 53 AWG. Hair thin? It's spiderweb thin. It can be pretty maddening at times to work with, but you get used to it. I've used it quite a bit, actually more with 51 than 53. It's great for making strong coils in a small space. I haven't done any direct tonal comparisons between it and 42 or 44, and nothing in particular has popped out at me soundwise to distinguish them, but if I were to do an A/B test that might be different. So long as I get a sound I like, I'm happy and don't worry too much about it beyond that.

[ubertar]

It's a Jazz Bass sized pickup with an unusual coil arrangement.

That's all I'm going to say!

I bet I can guess... it has a separate coil for each string.

[David Schwab]

I bet I can guess... it has a separate coil for each string.

Not this time.

[David Schwab]

So it wasn't all that bad to wind with, but I can't see the damn wire when I'm trying to find the free end!

[ubertar]

So it wasn't all that bad to wind with, but I can't see the damn wire when I'm trying to find the free end!

I always keep a sheet of white paper behind whatever I'm doing when I work with the thin stuff. Makes it much easier to see. To find the free end, I've found hand-over-hand works best.

[David Schwab]

I always keep a sheet of white paper behind whatever I'm doing when I work with the thin stuff. Makes it much easier to see. To find the free end, I've found hand-over-hand works best.

Yep, I do both of those. But still... that's mighty thin wire!

Now I'm hooked.. I want some 50AWG...