Fender changes in magnet diameter through time

[josesrv]

I have been searching the rod magnet diameter that used Fender in their guitars, Telecaster and Stratocaster. It seems that are different opinions which is the correct diameter through the years, 1954, 1961, 1964 and CBS years.
Some says that in 1954 the correct diameter of these rods were around .195 to .200. Others says that early was changed to .187 and Leo did not want it to use the larger ones. Does anyone know for certain when was used the .187 diameter rod and when .195?
Many thanks to everybody to give some light on this matter.

[Possum]

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They changed to .187 in the CBS years, but I've heard these have been found in earlier years. The earlier magnets were cruder and you could find variations in diameter in one single pickup. I think Bill can comment more on what he actually found in real examples. I have a '64 here that measure .188 and an early 70's grey bottom that measures .199, so these don't fit the so-called "rules."

[Bill M]

Dave, you have a 70's grey bottom w/ the larger diameter mags.? I've never seen one with the bigger mags. Cool.

The .196 diameter was used in 99% of strat and tele pickups prior to early 1964. After that they went to the .187 diameter. There are exceptions. I had a fully original 6/54 strat in my shop that had .188 mags with the lower G mag. and as possum stated he has an early 70's pickup with .199 mags.

[Possum]

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Its a rather odd one, flat pole and the magnets are nearly flush with the top, not a tele neck pickup either. Maybe take a photo later tonite...

[Bill M]

Yea, I'd like to see a pic of it.

[josesrv]

Many thanks for you all. You have been of great help to understand Fender vintage sizes.

[Possum]

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Okay, here's the 70's grey bottom strat and the '64 also...

[Bill M]

Dave, Thanks for sharing the photos. That grey bottom is an odd one( strat sized flat work, large even magnets, and wound CCW).

Are you positive your 64 is a 64? Only reason that I ask is that I have only ever saw a lower G mag on a 62 strat, besides the 54-56 strats. If it really is a 64 than it goes to show you that Fender was always playing with things. If there is a yellow ink stamp on the bottom then it is certainly a 64, although I have seen a couple that did not have any ink stamp that I could tell.

[the great waldo]

Okay, here's the 70's grey bottom strat and the '64 also...

Hi Possum

The flat ones from a Fender mustang, i´ve a broken one somewhere in the workshop.

Cheers

Andrew

[Possum]

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Ahh a Mustang that explains that, looks real stupid in a strat cover :-) I'm not positive what date the other strat is, I think he said '64 but no yellow stamp, the B pole isn't quite pushed all the way in so it looks higher than normal, so yeah its probably earlier. I got it as a gift from a customer, makes a good reference for doing relic versions. Do you have that Mustand pickup where you could shoot a photo of it?

[Bill M]

I never dealt with a mustang before. I never knew they used large diameter magnets. No matter what year the black bottom is its purdy..

[David Schwab]

You know I was going to ask if that was from a Mustang or not.

Here's one from my '72 Mustang.

[jwendt2003]

Didn't they put magnet wire on the '72 PU's?

[David Schwab]

Didn't they put magnet wire on the '72 PU's?

It was invisible magnet wire.

That pickup was dead so I'm going to rewind it. I still have the other one with the wire on it. I'm take some photos when I get a chance.

[Possum]

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David is your invisible wire from Essex? I have some NOS IW wire from 2003, I plan on using clear bobbins and do some P90's with it and call it the "Invisible P90." Kinda like the Visible Man models you could buy back when where you could see all the organs etc. I hear the French are making invisible wire for the next International Air Guitar competitions, but its almost impossible to get. Any possibility you'd sell me about 2lbs. of it?