Suggestion on a AWG34 project!

[Biarnel]

In a hatch I just found 3 big coils of AWG34 insulated copper wire, left over by my grampa.
He used to work as a civilian in the A.F.I., the american forces in italy, so I think they are from the 50's and military grade.

So I was wondering.. what if I tried to make pickups out of those coils?

I have 0.250kOhm (more or less) in 1000feet, so the DCR will be really low.
Active bass PU, maybe?

Suggestions welcome

[Biarnel]

Having a micrometer, I can now say that the vintage american wire I have is AWG38.

It's not 34, it's 38, ok?

[David Schwab]

Well the old Charlie Christian pickups used 38-gauge, and Les Paul Lo-Z pickups used 28 gauge wire.

So yes, you will get a low resistance coil, and of course you can't wind as much on the coil.

Alembic pickups used fairly heavy wire as well (I think it's 38-40 awg).

Use a preamp with them and you will get a very clear tone.

I have a small roll of 38 I'm going to use for a test pickup.

[Biarnel]

Well the old Charlie Christian pickups used 38-gauge, and Les Paul Lo-Z pickups used 28 gauge wire.

With a preamp? or directly in the amp?

Alembic pickups used fairly heavy wire as well (I think it's 38-40 awg).

Use a preamp with them and you will get a very clear tone.

I have a small roll of 38 I'm going to use for a test pickup.

I'd like to hear something from you about that test.
Having lots of free AWG38 makes me somewhat curious about making good things from it.
How much DCR should I give to such a coil?
And, any preamp will do the job? Let's say a good and cheap Artec?
Or, even better, a "blaster" preamp someone (maybe you) posted here in some thread?

[David Schwab]

With a preamp? or directly in the amp?

The LP Recording guitar used a step-up transformer like used for microphones. A FET or Op Amp buffer would be a better way.

The pickup will have very low output, and be low impedance, so you need to boost the level up.

I'd like to hear something from you about that test.
Having lots of free AWG38 makes me somewhat curious about making good things from it.
How much DCR should I give to such a coil?
And, any preamp will do the job? Let's say a good and cheap Artec?
Or, even better, a "blaster" preamp someone (maybe you) posted here in some thread?

Yeah, the blaster would work great. I use something like that.

Just try winding some pickups and see what you get.