Soapbar Bass Pickup

[GOO_27]

Hi, I'm intending to make some passive soapbar style bass pickups, using these bobbins (and EMG style covers):

Mojotone Bass Blade Pickup Bobbin Black (4 String)

Now, I know that this is a really stupid/basic question! but do I require any sort of baseplate for this design? or do I just wind the bobbins, join the coil wires directly to the hook-up wires, and pot in epoxy?

I've tried searching various sites/forums but the vast majority of tutorials etc seem to be for the more traditional Fender style pickups. Any help is much apprecieted.. thanks

[big_teee]

I haven't built any like that either, but have been looking into it.
You have the right idea. no baseplate. you could try them with or without baseplate, and shielding with foil.
If you are in the R&D phase of the pickups, I wouldn't make it permanent with epoxy, until I had the wind to suit me.
IMO You could temp them with candle wax, or a little hot glue at first.
That is what I kind of had in mind. once you get everything figured out, then I would pursue the epoxy treatment.
Usually the epoxy is IMO to protect the winders trade secrets.
T

[David Schwab]

Usually pickups of this type are held together by pouring potting epoxy in them. Like Terry said, you don't have to do that while you are experimenting. Some of my basses still have un-encapsulated pickups on them. They are microphonic that way however. So once you have something you like, I would fill it with epoxy.

I use hot melt glue to hold some parts together.