Vintage Plain Enamel Wire Differences

[David Schwab]

How much do those Azonic Whisker Disks cost? They look ultra simple.

[kevinT]

the actual whiskers are fine plastic threads that are flexible. the disk fits between two thin plexiglass disks that are screwed together. the brass part just drops into the hole of the spool. The wire runs along the whiskers to keep it away from the edges of the spool as well as provide very very slight tension to keep it taunt where the wire is being feed (tensioner, wire guide, etc.) there are different sizes. I have the 5 and the 3 sizes.

I'll have to look at the dvd again, but i don't think seymour would be using it for tension. It hardly applies any tension.

I don't remember the price but you have to remember to buy both the disks and the plexiglass apparatus that holds the disk because it is sold separately.

[JGundry]

I took another look at the DVD and there is a multi wheel tensioner for the Tanac winder in one shot. But if you get a chance to look at the DVD there is a quick shot of the de-reeler of the Leesona 102 at the 30:30 mark and then a shot of the winder in the background at the 38:32 mark and I don't see any additional tensioners besides the whisker disk and the felt clamp before the wire guide. I never used a whisker disk but do you suppose he is using a higher tension disk than recommended for 42 AWG?

[Joe Gwinn]

I'll have to look at the dvd again, but i don't think seymour would be using it for tension. It hardly applies any tension.

I think the intent is to prevent snarling while coming off the spool.

[DrStrangelove]

Azonic whisker discs

They are inexpensive ($5 or less) and work well.

I use the 5" disc on a 5# spool from Essex Brownell.

The plexiglass holder is nice, but masking tape works, too.

http://azonicproducts.com/ordersheet.htm

-drh

[David Schwab]

Oh cool... thanks. They look handy. I've been using a big roll of wire and it drags on the top lip a bit.

[kevinT]

But if you get a chance to look at the DVD there is a quick shot of the de-reeler of the Leesona 102 at the 30:30 mark and then a shot of the winder in the background at the 38:32 mark and I don't see any additional tensioners besides the whisker disk and the felt clamp before the wire guide. I never used a whisker disk but do you suppose he is using a higher tension disk than recommended for 42 AWG?

I took a look at that section again. IMO i would still think that the Whisker Disks are only used for the dereeling of wire. The kind of tension that i apply with my tanac tensioner and the kind of tension that the whisker disk applies to the wire are greatly different amounts. I would think that the larger disks for larger gauge wires would perhaps apply more tension, but probably not enough tension that one would want in a pickup IMO. That is a good point though.

IMO. If you only used the whisker disk for tension, you would definetly have a major feedback problem if it wasn't potted.

Is it possible that they could only be using the felt clamp for tension?

[JGundry]

Thanks for checking that out KevinT. Maybe they are using some felt washers with a wing nut somewhere on that pulley beam above the magnet wire spool. There is a felt tensioner near the traverse wire guide but it looks like just and alligator clip with felt which would not offer a huge amount of tension.

[kevinT]

Jon, i don't know whether you saw this. I was browsing Seymour's Q and As and came across this. He may in fact be using the Whisker Disks for tension, or some other multi-pully system. Maybe the tension supplied by the disk is part of the design of the pickup.

775. What is tension?
When reading the DC resistance of a pickup you find differences in the reading or ohms that you read with volt/ohm meter. It is commonly thought the coil that has a higher reading will give you more output. This can be true in some situations but in others it can mean that the magnet wire has become stretched when winding usually by to much tension or to fast of a winding speed. There are several types of tension devices used for winding coil. Some winders use “whisker discs” that are round flat discs with mono-filament of different diameters extending from the edges to help drag or keep the magnet wire from whipping off the spool of magnet wire as the coil is wound. Others can be felt pads to add tension or a series of pulleys and springs to add tension to the magnet wire. If the winding speed is to fast the magnet wire can’t de-reel fast enough and it can cause the wire to become stretched. This will make the magnet wire thinner and causing the DC resistance to become higher. This usually happens when hand or scatter winding when the magnet wire is held to tight as it is drawn from the spool. Tension is usually measure in grams and there are specific measurements and gauges for measuring magnet wire.

[psychotech]

magnetic coil wire.

I have use both Formvar and Poly wire to wind pickups and I love the sound of both. Formvar is a little warmer and more mids and poly is a little more clear and open and slightly darker sounding. I have heard plain enamel and I have to say it sounds kind of waek and hollow. It seemed to lack body and character. It sounds really mushy and weak. I like poly for the neck and formvar at the bridge with Alnico V's. I have used 43awg poly and ceamic magnets and overwound to 15.5k and it sounds killer. The ceramic mags add the bite and highs and the overwound coils are fat and have warm body. The ceramic magnet punches up the bite and output and boosts the mids and the harmonics are unreal. I have to say the I don't care much for purple plain enamel's tonal character. I guess I am just used to the sound of poly and formvar. You can get 42PE from MWS Wire for about 32 dollars a pound 5lb min. I have seen it and It is PURPLE and they claim it is the real thing. They claim to sell the most of anybody in the world and are claimed to be the only distributor still carrying that product for pickup builders for the most part.

Regards, Tone seekers
Tommy

[psychotech]

Benzene?

BTW, Benzene is one of the most hazardous chemicals in the world to humans and we somehow are still allowed to come into direct contact with? be careful with that benzene.

Tommy

[Possum]

...

I heard from BAE Wire that Elektrisola gave up on their PE. Damn......

[David Schwab]

I've never used PE, but I really like the Elektrisola wire I've been getting from BAE.

It handles much better than the stuff StewMac sells.

[David Schwab]

be careful with that benzene.

Mmmmmm, Magic Markers...

tobacco smoke contains benzene...

[NightWinder]

BTW, Benzene is one of the most hazardous chemicals in the world to humans and we somehow are still allowed to come into direct contact with? be careful with that benzene.

Tommy

Benzene is in your water too ........