Wire OD measurements?

[achase4u]

Ive been experimenting with Tele pickups lately - I was using MWS min-nom PE mostly. I switched to some of the Elektrisola PE(dark stuff) and immediately get higher DCR by about 200-250 ohms, and a brighter sound it seems. Inductance seems to be lower but my meter isnt the greatest.


Just wondering if anyones measured the OD of these two wires. Im guessing thats where the difference is Im getting... dont have a micrometer...

[Possum]

...

Yeah I have, I don't have the measurements in front of me, the Elektrisola stuff has way better insulation and is a nom-max size, big difference in types of wire, night and day....

[achase4u]

Dave, good to hear from you. Hope all is well out west.

I guess that explains the difference in the inductance/DCR ratio, and turns to DCR ratio.

I bet the specs on Fenders wire in the vintage days were all over the place too as far as insulation and OD is concerned...

I think the Elektrisola stuff sounds better honestly. I mean, MWS is pretty decent, but sometimes I feel like Im banging my head against the wall with the tones I get with it. So far Ive gotten more consistent results from the Elektrisola stuff.

The first PE min-nom spool I got from MWS was not very easy to get off the spool. It jerked around and seemed to come of with alot of tension...

Im going to try some BAE and other stuff for variety. They say its the spice of life...

I need to also get a micrometer so I know what Im working with here...

Thanks Dave.

[Possum]

...

The Mitutoyo micrometers on Ebay are the ones to get, get a new one, never and old as they tend to be sloppy reading.

Well the Elektrisola is nice wire but its not really "better." The MWS is better for my PAF work and would be too shrill with the black Elektrisola wire. That stuff is good for strats etc. BAE PE is some AWC wire, black also but is also oversize, and only limited supply. MWS wire is inconsistent for sure but their guage sizes are more useful....

[chevalij]

The Elektrisola PE is made by AWC. I used to use their wire, but the machinery they used for PE was broken for almost a year. They just started making it again early this month I believe. They only sole source to Elektrisola now. I perfer it's tone over the MWS PE and it's a purty purple color

[achase4u]

I'll check out some of those Mit-micrometers - thanks Dave

I only do strat and tele stuff, and I prefer the Elektrisola PE sound... Going to try their formvar too.

It should be coming this week-ish.

[Bruce Johnson]

Since I'm a mechanical engineer and machinist type, I'll add a bit about what tool you need to measure the diameter of magnet wire.

You need a measuring tool that will read down to one ten-thousandth of an inch (0.0001") to be of any value in comparing magnet wires. Most of the digital electronic calipers on the market may have four digits, but they actually only read to a half-thousandth (+/- 0.0005"). There are some digital electronic calipers that do read to 0.0001", but they are quite a bit more expensive (usually several hundred bucks). Mititoyo makes all kinds of calipers and measuring tools of different levels of accuracy and quality. So, you can't just say that any Mititoyo caliper or micrometer will work. The most commonly available electronic calipers, from Mititoyo and others, in the $50 to $150 range, are the half-thousandths models which are not accurate enough.

The same is true of old-fashioned micrometers. (If you're not familiar with them, they're shaped like a "P", have no electronics on board, and you measure by twisting the thimble). Standard micrometers read to 0.001". Higher grade Vernier micrometers read to 0.0001". Learning to use and read a micrometer takes a few minutes of book reading and practice, but they're very accurate and reliable. Many companies make micrometers. Top brands are Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, Mititoyo and NSK.

These days, digital calipers have become so popular that you can buy used old-fashioned micrometers for cheap. Search on ebay under Vintage Tools, and you can buy a NOS Starrett Vernier micrometer, still in the box, for $20 or less. This is your best buy. It's a beautiful tool that will last a lifetime. Lots of other brands available too. But you need to get a Vernier micrometer, the kind with the extra set of lines running across the top of the barrel.

If any of you need to get really crazy measuring wire, I have a Pratt & Whitney Super Micrometer. It's a hundred pound bench-mounted monster that will measure down to 0.00001".

[achase4u]

Thanks for that Bruce. I worked with a machinist/engineer type before, you guys really know your stuff. Its pretty cool!

I appreciate that info, its VERY helpful. I'll look for a micrometer!

[achase4u]

do you guys every try double insulated, heavy PE? I know Dave has mentioned hes used single insulated formvar before...

[David Schwab]

I like Elektrisola wire. All the spools I have show the actual size of the wire written in pen.

[chevalij]

When I ran out of PE and had to go with MWS I was a little disappointed. I've been bugging Teresa at AWC for about 7months trying to find out if they were going to make PE again. At first, they weren't going to bother. Not enough demand... Then I found out if they did make it again and I did get any direct from AWC it was a minimum 200 lb order! Elektrisola is actually doing us a favour

[achase4u]

Thats awesome - I dig the elektrisola I have as well.

Elektrisola is for sure doing a favor. Thats why they have AWC>Elektrisola/BAE

200lb lol, insane.

I dig it.

[JimAvery]

MWS Wire - Plain Enamel

If anyone is interested in the differences between the MWS Plain Enamel and the Elektrisola product or just has questions about Plain Enamel, Formvar wire or any wire related issues(od's, DC resistance, diferences in enamel types, etc...), feel free to contact me directly. Jim Avery - MWS Wire Industries , Quality Assurance Supervisor. P:818-991-8553 or jim@mwswire.com