Insulating magnets and coils

[zparts]

I get emailed regularly asking what we recommend for insulating pickup magnets and coils. Paper tape of course is fine but we use Kapton tape. It's the best ........
1 Mil Kapton Tapes

[Mark Hammer]

Maybe not the best, but certainly the cheapest, regular old teflon plumber's tape can be easily had at any hardware store, and also works pretty well. I have absolutely no idea about the relative lifespan of one vs the other.

[Joe Gwinn]

Maybe not the best, but certainly the cheapest, regular old teflon plumber's tape can be easily had at any hardware store, and also works pretty well. I have absolutely no idea about the relative lifespan of one vs the other.

The problem with teflon tape is that wire under pressure will swim through the teflon, which is famous for creeping under pressure. The symptom is that after some time, shorts spontaneously develop.

Paper and kapton tape are immune to almost immune to creep.

[Jim Darr]

Maybe not the best, but certainly the cheapest, regular old teflon plumber's tape can be easily had at any hardware store, and also works pretty well.

Used it for years...never had a problem with it. I also lacquer dip my bobbins prior to winding.

[big_teee]

Whatever works, the important thing is to tape with something.
I still like my wife's waxed floral tape.
I can nab some from her hobby room now and then.
It stretches to the exact right width.
I've used it for over 4 years, without incident.

[Mark Hammer]

Well now you have me curious, teee. What sort of width does it come in, how pliable is it, and where do you get it?

[Rick Turner]

Why would one not do some research and then use the very best tape for this job rather than use the most convenient? The issue re. Teflon plumbing sealant is quite real; it's not really a tape, it's a viscous sealant in convenient, sort of tape format.

Kapton has the advantage of being very, very tough.

This is kind of like not using fish paper for insulating circuit boards, etc. from surroundings. Yeah, you can cut up a manila file folder, but then that little sharp solder point may work its way through in a few years of the guitar or amp or whatever being tumbled about and vibrated.

Just look at all the Fender pickups that seemed fairly invulnerable to Leo in 1958...

Not!

[big_teee]

If the magnets are taped, then Potted, all movement should be done.
One of the biggest failure issues with the Leo Fender method was the corrosion from condensation.
Beer, condensation, sweat, or whatever going down the rod magnets, and corroding with the magnet wire.
Tape and wax potting will separate the magnets, moisture, and the magnet wire.
Kapton, scotch magic, teflon, masking tape, or my floral tape will all work.
I've never had a failure with any good tape job.
Just dipping in lacquer doesn't always work.
Seymour Duncan just does a liquid sealer, no taping?
Not sure if it is a Lacquer, or maybe a polyurathane of some type.
They show the process in one of their factory tour films.
T

[kayakerca]

Well now you have me curious, teee. What sort of width does it come in, how pliable is it, and where do you get it?

I took T's suggestion and have been using the flora wrap tape for a couple years now. It fits perfect on .4375 Strat bobbins, but I also use it on Tell neck and bridge bobbins. You can buy it here in Ottawa at any of the Michaels Arts and Craft stores.

[copperheadroads]

Well now you have me curious, teee. What sort of width does it come in, how pliable is it, and where do you get it?

I get the green floral tape at Walmart in the floral/craft section up here in CANADA & you can get it at Michaels as well .
It is a little less than 1/2" wide almost perfect for a tele bobbin & you will notice if you try to stretch it ,it will stretch a little & then stop & that height is perfect for the standard strat height bobbin .
Me & Tee has been using it for a few years now .

[Mark Hammer]

Well, I think a trip to Michaels is warranted.

From the descriptions, it sounds like the sort of stuff that might lend itself well to making things like Burns Tri-Sonic pickups where the coil is wound separately from the pickup it will be installed on, and is wrapped to hold the coil together.

[big_teee]

I got the floral tape idea from Copper. He let me in on that.
My wife gets the brown for me at Michaels, it looks nearly black.
Works great.
T

[kayakerca]

I got the floral tape idea from Copper. He let me in on that.
My wife gets the brown for me at Michaels, it looks nearly black.
Works great.
T

Interesting, the stuff I get from Michaels up here is white. Not that colour would have a tremendous effect on tone.

[nickc35]

Interesting, the stuff I get from Michaels up here is white. Not that colour would have a tremendous effect on tone.

I heard the white tape is too brash and bright sounding.

[mr fab]

I use heatshrink tubing on the individual magnets; placed over the magnets prior to putting on the top formvar former, then heated after the top is put on
I like this approach as it shrinks tightly onto the magnets, and also allows a path for better penetration of the wax when potting. it may be a little more expensive and time consuming however in this way its built to last