1964-65 Formvar?

[voodoochild]

Is it possible Fender used poly during this transition period? I have seen several strat pickups from 64-65 that had a very "reddish" looking insulation. It also seems to be a single build too because it doesn't fill the bobbin out as much as today's heavy formvar no matter how much tension you add. Anybody know about this? Also there are some 60's CS Fender strats that have grey bottom bobbins with red poly on them. It doesn't look like the original wire but the build is similar. I assume it was a darker Formvar that didn't have a heavy build. I have also seen this same wire on Jazzmasters from this time period. Sorry, it could be a very light colored PE too. I don't know. It's definitely different than any Formvar or PE I'm used to seeing.

[Spence]

It is Formvar. The lacquer is clear unless a colour is added. Same goes for the plain Enamel.

[RedHouse]

It is Formvar. The lacquer is clear unless a colour is added. Same goes for the plain Enamel.

And same with Poly, clear unless color is added.

[big_teee]

And same with Poly, clear unless color is added.

What I found strange!
The clear Poly cost more than the red.
So it ends up costing us more, when it actually cost the manufacturer less!
Go figure!

Jam on!
T

[RedHouse]

What I found strange!
The clear Poly cost more than the red.
So it ends up costing us more, when it actually cost the manufacturer less!
Go figure!

Jam on!
T

Buy from BAE, they sell on the Bay and you can get good deals if your patient and watchfull.

I like to use "red" poly...

[big_teee]

I get my wire from MWS In california.
42 SPN red poly is $16.82 a lb.
I bought 6.37 lbs for $107.14.
I couldn't find it any where else for that price, when I was buying!
Terry

[RedHouse]

I get my wire from MWS In california.
42 SPN red poly is $16.82 a lb.
I bought 6.37 lbs for $107.14.
I couldn't find it any where else for that price, when I was buying!
Terry

You did well, prices go up-n-down. Until you can buy on-demand just keep an eye out ...on all fronts.

[big_teee]

Does anyone use regular formvar, not sure they make such thing.
I like the varnish finish of HFV, but I mainly use a single build wire.
I wish PE Was cheaper. I like it.
Brad if your on here which PAF is used in this vid!
YouTube - Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out 1969
Trick ???
Terry

[David Schwab]

It also seems to be a single build too because it doesn't fill the bobbin out as much as today's heavy formvar no matter how much tension you add.

Formvar insulation doesn't automatically mean heavy or double build. You can get single build formvar, as well as heavy build poly.

What I found strange!
The clear Poly cost more than the red.

That's not my experience. I also get my wire from BAE. Most of it is red, but I've gotten clear and amber too:



That big spool is heavy build SPN.

I get my wire from MWS In california.
42 SPN red poly is $16.82 a lb.

That's a good price. The price of copper changes. BEA didn't have any 42 online, so I enquired and they said they have the 3" and 6" spools at 17.50/lb. The 6" spool is 10 lbs. I usually get the 3" spools.

[David Schwab]

Does anyone use regular formvar, not sure they make such thing.
I like the varnish finish of HFV, but I mainly use a single build wire.
I wish PE Was cheaper. I like it.

AWG 44 SINGLE FORMVAR Copper Magnet Wire - eBay (item 250703576414 end time Oct-05-10 08:41:42 PDT)

See, this is 44AWG, but they do make it. It's more expensive tough because of the insulation. You don't need formvar though. It doesn't sound any different.

Brad if your on here which PAF is used in this vid!
YouTube - Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out 1969
Trick ???
Terry

That's a 1967 Musicraft Messenger guitar. It had an aluminum neck. No PAFs there! The pickups are single coils. Originally they were DeArmonds gold foils. I don't know what Farner had on his, but they look like single coils.



1967 Musicraft Messenger Electric Guitar | 1960's Vintage Guitars | MyRareGuitars.com



Mark also used to play Microfrets guitars. They had single coils also.



Now he plays one of these:



I saw Grand Funk at Madison Square Garden back in the early 70's. I think it was my very first concert!

[copperheadroads]

David do you use heavy formvar ? Im curious if it sounds like heavy build spn .

[David Schwab]

David do you use heavy formvar ? Im curious if it sounds like heavy build spn .

I've never used formvar.

[voodoochild]

Thanks for the replies. I am very aware that you can get Formvar in different builds. I use single and heavy myself. My question is only about the wire seen on certain grey bottom pickups from 1964-65. It is definitely more red than orange. It doesn't have any purple to it either so I can only assume it was a batch of wire used during that time that was either a different shade of PE or Formvar. The whole lacquer thing makes the most sense to me. I can see Fender using some red sunburst lacquer that was over abundant or something to pot the pickups with.

[voodoochild]

Just so you know what I'm talking about.... I ran across these pics on Vintage Checkouts site. This is the exact wire I'm speaking of that I've seen on several pickups from this era. Puzzling.

[RedHouse]

Just so you know what I'm talking about.... I ran across these pics on Vintage Checkouts site. This is the exact wire I'm speaking of that I've seen on several pickups from this era. Puzzling.

I'm not seeing any pics