New Guy,, Question

[JCrab]

Hey guy's
This is my first post. I just started winding pickups, at the moment I am building the Stew Mack Humbucker that I have rewound a few times now. My long term goal is to build a cross between a SD Invader and a Custom Custom sh-11.. but not today I have a winding machien called the Sidewinder and I feed the 42awg by hand and thats where I am having some tone issues I think. I am having a hard time getting my windings nice and even like you see on all pickups, I always end up with a bump in the middle or one side being thicker than the other any tips on this issue. Thanks Jimmy

[big_teee]

Hey guy's
This is my first post. I just started winding pickups, at the moment I am building the Stew Mack Humbucker that I have rewound a few times now. My long term goal is to build a cross between a SD Invader and a Custom Custom sh-11.. but not today I have a winding machien called the Sidewinder and I feed the 42awg by hand and thats where I am having some tone issues I think. I am having a hard time getting my windings nice and even like you see on all pickups, I always end up with a bump in the middle or one side being thicker than the other any tips on this issue. Thanks Jimmy

Welcome Jimmy:
Most of us got started with Stewmac Kits.
The winding straight issue.
You need to start by making sure that the winder is spinning the bobbin straight and true.
If the bobbin plate doesn't turn true, you will have a problem winding straight.
If you have everything straight and adjusted right the rest is practice.
So are you having any trouble with wire breaking?
Terry

[JCrab]

Thanks Terry
I do not have a problem with wire breaking but I will check if the winder is spinning true. I will rewind tomorrow slow down my winding speed and see if that helps. I have some out of controll scattering going on

[big_teee]

Thanks Terry
I do not have a problem with wire breaking but I will check if the winder is spinning true. I will rewind tomorrow slow down my winding speed and see if that helps. I have some out of controll scattering going on

If you are winding on a new bobbin, and check when the wire starts covering the first layer or two.
If you stop the winder and look at the ends of the bobbin.
If on one end there is no wire near the edge, look at the other end.
If the other end on the same side has more wire near the edge, then the bobbin is not turning true.
On a narrow humbucker bobbin once you get the pileup going it is hard to straighten out.
If it is piling up on one side, try taking the bobbin loose from the bar, and try turning it around 180 degrees.
That should make it try to pile up on the other end, which true things up.
Good Luck,
Terry

[Jim Shine]

How are you attaching the bobbin? With double sided tape? Sometimes the tape with the foam in the middle is more forgiving, especially if you are trying to attach the black lead through the hole before winding like most of these people tend to teach.

[David Schwab]

I use the foam tape, but I put the top of the bobbin against the tape, so any wires are sticking out on the outside.

[big_teee]

It depends on you bobbin back plate.
I can mount bobbins top or bottom, can run the wire out either side.
Normally I Use the real sticky carpet tape.
It works better in the winter, I have a less sticky tape for summer(I work outside in my hot or cold shop).
Also I can mount Bucker bobbins with screws if needed.
Also on the Lump, Make sure your not winding too fast, and it is controllable.
Good Luck,
T

[JCrab]

I use plain ol Scotch DSS tape,it is the clear stuff and cheap at wallymart.. I am starting to get the hang of it and this last set I wound sound fantastic. I have not Wax Potted yet cause I have just been focusing on winding and tension. So now that I am ready for that next step how will Potting effect tone from non potted,, or what can I expect.

[JCrab]

It depends on you bobbin back plate.
I can mount bobbins top or bottom, can run the wire out either side.
Normally I Use the real sticky carpet tape.
It works better in the winter, I have a less sticky tape for summer(I work outside in my hot or cold shop).
Also I can mount Bucker bobbins with screws if needed.
Also on the Lump, Make sure your not winding too fast, and it is controllable.
Good Luck,
T

Thanks, I slowed it down and made a arm rest,, Made a world of difference

[big_teee]

Thanks, I slowed it down and made a arm rest,, Made a world of difference

Glad your getting the hang of it.
It depends on how and where you play, but if your humbuckers are not microphonic, I would not Pot them.
If you like Harmonics, you have less after potting IMHO.
Potting does quieten and dampen the pickups.
If you wind fairly tight, no loose coils, and tape your bobbins well Microphonics isn't usually an issue.
Good luck,
Terry

[JCrab]

Glad your getting the hang of it.
It depends on how and where you play, but if your humbuckers are not microphonic, I would not Pot them.
If you like Harmonics, you have less after potting IMHO.
Potting does quieten and dampen the pickups.
If you wind fairly tight, no loose coils, and tape your bobbins well Microphonics isn't usually an issue.
Good luck,
Terry

Thanks for the tips. That is what I figured about potting. I am still trying to figure out what fairly tight is. I never broke a wire but there is a time or 2 when I can tell my tension effects the motor.. Man I love this forum