completely clueless.

[SonnyW]

We're past the age of "secrets", IMO. You either hold a patent, in which case it's no longer a secret, or you are probably just fooling yourself believing your technique isn't out there already.

A friend of mine built a special machine for woodworking he thought nobody knew. Soon as he contacted some Chinese tool providers for another unrelated part, he discovered accidentally that they had his "secret" machine for sale.....he bought 10.

So you're better off sharing your "secrets", at least honest folks will give you credit for the discovery. IMHO.

About "Secrets" (IMO)
I guess the way I look at this is it depends on the definition of "secret". I would agree with the part about the techniques being out there already for the most part. And I think it is great to share most things. I have gleaned a ton of useful information from this forum, and I like to give back. And I am still amazed at how much useful information does get shared here by experts that make their living doing this and don't have to answer our questions at all unless they want to help. But I also realize that when people have spent a large amount of effort and money on their research they aren't going to want to share all of that knowledge. An example might be digging out details of P.A.F. construction or something like that. And some things aren't really secrets, they just are not easily put into words, as an example say a certain technique of hand motions for scatterwinding. It isn't a "secret" because anyone can buy a few of the pickups and tediously unwind them, or get the data when rewinding them. That's what the big name guys did plenty of. But that kind of information isn't often offered when questions that are posted are answered. So someone might post DCR and turns count but not TPL and variations in TPL. I think most questions about things like parts availability or details and even techniques are or have been answered here. In short, it doesn't hurt to ask, but don't expect that everyone that knows the answer is going to log in and post, or dig it out of the forum for them. Worse, it has sometimes happened that the answers that were posted have been misleading, I remember a thread about that a few years ago. Some of that may just have been wrongheaded information, and I hope that no one here would intentionally post misinformation, but either way one still needs to verify and experiment.

[big_teee]

About "Secrets" (IMO)
I guess the way I look at this is it depends on the definition of "secret". I would agree with the part about the techniques being out there already for the most part. And I think it is great to share most things. I have gleaned a ton of useful information from this forum, and I like to give back. And I am still amazed at how much useful information does get shared here by experts that make their living doing this and don't have to answer our questions at all unless they want to help. But I also realize that when people have spent a large amount of effort and money on their research they aren't going to want to share all of that knowledge. An example might be digging out details of P.A.F. construction or something like that. And some things aren't really secrets, they just are not easily put into words, as an example say a certain technique of hand motions for scatterwinding. It isn't a "secret" because anyone can buy a few of the pickups and tediously unwind them, or get the data when rewinding them. That's what the big name guys did plenty of. But that kind of information isn't often offered when questions that are posted are answered. So someone might post DCR and turns count but not TPL and variations in TPL. I think most questions about things like parts availability or details and even techniques are or have been answered here. In short, it doesn't hurt to ask, but don't expect that everyone that knows the answer is going to log in and post, or dig it out of the forum for them. Worse, it has sometimes happened that the answers that were posted have been misleading, I remember a thread about that a few years ago. Some of that may just have been wrongheaded information, and I hope that no one here would intentionally post misinformation, but either way one still needs to verify and experiment.

I agree with you Sonny!
If it is just gathering and reposting info that is already out there, I'm all about sharing.
Everyone has there little things that they do that makes their Craftsmanship special and different.
Like JMAF said, Nothing much about tubes, and pickups that is new by any means.
I have been updating the Get Started Thread daily.
There is more than enough info available there, to make someone "Armed and Dangerous"!
Haven't said it in a While.
Keep Rockin!

[tonequester]

tonequester here.

Greetings Rob. I can't remember which part of the foryou might be alluding to, but SonnyW(great guy) recomends 2 books on the subject. They are : Pick-ups-windings and magnets and the guitar became electric., and The Guitar pick-up Handbook, by Dave Hunter. Also another great guy is big---tee, who has made many pick-ups, and excels in wiring
beautifully, assembled pickguards. I've seen pictures of his work and it's great. He maintains lots of info, kept up to date on some threads he maintains. I,figure that you could mention you are interested and drop his name, in either the guitar tech forum or the music electronics forum and he would reply. You might tell him tonequester sent you his way. He has helped me on many ocassions with various questions. Don't know his age but he calls himself an the forum. "Old Timer". I myself can't help you for we are in the same boat here. I've got so many irons in the fire that pick-ups will have to wait a little longer. , Pleased to make your 'aquaintance" here on the forum. Good luck. tonequester.

[big_teee]

tonequester here.

Greetings Rob. I can't remember which part of the foryou might be alluding to, but SonnyW(great guy) recomends 2 books on the subject. They are : Pick-ups-windings and magnets and the guitar became electric., and The Guitar pick-up Handbook, by Dave Hunter. Also another great guy is big---tee, who has made many pick-ups, and excels in wiring
beautifully, assembled pickguards. I've seen pictures of his work and it's great. He maintains lots of info, kept up to date on some threads he maintains. I,figure that you could mention you are interested and drop his name, in either the guitar tech forum or the music electronics forum and he would reply. You might tell him tonequester sent you his way. He has helped me on many ocassions with various questions. Don't know his age but he calls himself an the forum. "Old Timer". I myself can't help you for we are in the same boat here. I've got so many irons in the fire that pick-ups will have to wait a little longer. , Pleased to make your 'aquaintance" here on the forum. Good luck. tonequester.

tonequester:
You misunderstood Rob's Post.
He was trying to give some more options and advise.
He is already a valid accomplished Winder, and pickup maker!
You may want to read his post again.
With your Guitar project, Amp Project, and trying to get started in pickup winding?
Your plate is very full.
Good luck in your research of all 3 projects.
Terry

[David Schwab]

Wasn't it Einstein that said genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration?

Thomas Edison (in 1903)

Another good one from him:

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

My advice is get a sharp hobby knife and a pair of tiny scissors and you might have some fun and satisfaction while you make yourself one of these..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19018[/ATTACH]

[jmaf]

Thomas Edison (in 1903)

Did Edison really coin that phrase or did he buy it from a Canadian ?

[SonnyW]

Hey! that box looks a lot like mine. And you're right it was Edison that said it first. By the way I added 3 more wads of wire to my box today trying to set up a program on my winder for a new bobbin that I hadn't used before. You would probably like the design David, - a blade humbucker. Finally got it to look right on the fourth try. Now I have to put it together and listen to it and see if I need to do it over.

[tonequester]

Did Edison really coin that phrase or did he buy it from a Canadian ?

tonequester here.

jmaf, if you can keep a secret,................He stole it from George Westinghouse ! Have a "good 'un" my friend !
tonequester.

[copperheadroads]

Thomas Edison (in 1903)

Another good one from him:

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

I need a box like that that

[big_teee]

It's a shame you can't put that much wire back on the roll!
T

[tonequester]

Beware of "Copper Thieves" !

I need a box like that that

tonequester here. It looks like my sister is cutting hair again.

Qoute :" Half the lies they tell about me aren't true Yogfi Berra. toneguester out.".

[copperheadroads]

Remember Mrs Slocombe from that English show "Are you being served"

[rjb]

I need a box like that that

OK, I know this is a dumb noobie question, but.....
Why do you guys save that stuff?

[big_teee]

OK, I know this is a dumb, noobie question, but.....
Why do you guys save that stuff?

Do you guys not Recycle and sell scrap metals in Merlin?
It also looks impressive!
How's RJB tonight?
T

[rjb]

Do you guys not Recycle and sell scrap metals in Merlin?

Yea, we do. We even compost.
But saving wire in a cardboard box is not recycling; it's just using your house as a landfill. IMO.
And in the Boss's opinion, for sure. :^)

It also looks impressive!

I reckon.

How's RJB tonight?

About to turn in. We're going to the Newseum in DC tomorrow, to see a piece of the Berlin Wall. Or something.