B/H Round Table & Misc

[big_teee]

This reminds me of when I managed to accidentally knock something sharp into the side of a half used spool. I had about a dozen breaks on the spool, took a whole morning of respooling until I eventually got the breaks out. It was Formvar too so it looked like someone had shaved a ginger clown wig in the shop!

I bought a used roll of 42 HFV once from a friend.
It set it his woodworking shop.
He had accidently dripped some lacquer or epoxy on the end of the spool.
It was a small drop, but every time the wire got to that point, it broke.
It took a while but it finally cleaned up.
T

[big_teee]

I'm working on a Mini Bucker project.
This is an alternative to making the firebird mini bucker with the magnets in the bobbins.
This pickup will use steel blades in conjunction with a large humbucker magnet on the bottom.
Pictures illustrate the replacing of the mini screws with a hand made blade.
Picture 1 & 2 shows using the mini screws, like a regular Gibson mini deluxe.
This layout would require a cover with screw holes.
Picture 3 & 4 shows replacing the screws with a blade type slug.
I cut the blades from some scrap sheet steel.
The blade is against the magnet on one side like the screw type pickup.
The other blade slug is shorter and sits on top of the edge of the magnet.
This allows the use of a No holes cover.
I will test this pickups with different magnet types.
I will show pictures of it assembled later after I put it together.
Attachment 22127Attachment 22128Attachment 22129Attachment 22130

[big_teee]

Here are more pics of the pickup after wiring the bobbin, and one with the cover sitting on it.
The Mini is one pickup with very little assembly documentation, thought this might help someone else to build one.
This pickup will be used in the Neck position of a custom Tele build.
Attachment 22131Attachment 22132

[big_teee]

I'm working on a Mini Bucker project.
This is an alternative to making the firebird mini bucker with magnets in place of blades.
This pickup will use steel blades in conjunction with a large humbucker magnet on the bottom.
Pictures illustrate the replacing of the mini screws with a hand made blade.
Picture 1 & 2 shows using the mini screws, like a regular Gibson mini deluxe.
This layout would require a cover with screw holes.
Picture 3 & 4 shows replacing the screws with a blade type slug.
I cut the blades from some scrap sheet steel.
The blade is against the magnet on one side like the screw type pickup.
The other blade slug is shorter and sits on top of the edge of the magnet.
This allows use of a No holes cover.
I will test this pickups with different magnet types.
I will show pictures of it assembled later after I put it together.
Attachment 22127Attachment 22128Attachment 22129Attachment 22130

Update and summary of the pickup.
I ended up using a fully charged A2 magnet.
The DCR is in the 5.8-6K range.
I made the blades where they stick up a little above the bobbins.
The Cover Rest on the blades, no air between the blades and the cover.
The pickup was microphonic at high gain, until potting.
Very sweet warm Highs, but it still has good Lows.
If your in the Market for a Mini, give this method a try.

[mcgruff]

Interesting. I'd like to wind a Firebird pickup for my dot one day.

[copperheadroads]

Interesting. I'd like to wind a Firebird pickup for my dot one day.

You will probably need some custom mounting rings made

[Stratz]

I was screwing around with a "new to me" lefty Tele. I built a new bridge pickup but I didn't like the .688" D string pole because I couldn't get the coil close enough to the strings (wasn't thinking about the compound radius on the fret board when I built the bobbin) so I took the top flat work off of the pickup to swap out the .688" for a .671"

Everything was going fine until I went to hammer the new D pole in with my fret hammer.

Somehow the hammer bounced off the new rod magnet and landed two whole pole pieces away where it wound up nicking the coil...... dead

Heres a few pics of the "repair". You can see the damage to the coil just above the 2nd pole from the right in the second picture.

It's pretty funny now that it's all fixed.

[RCI Guitars]

I have been having some snagging issues with a large spool on 42PE I got from Remington also. I sanded the top lip and it helped. I had to adjust where the spool sits between my legs and how for me feeding hand is when I am winding and it seems to have improved.
I hate it when it breaks after that first few thousand winds!!

[Stratz]

I have been having some snagging issues with a large spool on 42PE I got from Remington also.

Try unwinding a few hundred winds gently by hand, it should fall off of the spool.

I just had to send back about 4 lbs of an 8 lb spool I was having problems with. It was all kinky coming off the spool and very rough coming off as well.

It felt like the wire was wound too tight when they manufactured it.

First spool of Elektrasola that I ever had issues with.

[big_teee]

Try unwinding a few hundred winds gently by hand, it should fall off of the spool.

I just had to send back about 4 lbs of an 8 lb spool I was having problems with. It was all kinky coming off the spool and very rough coming off as well.

It felt like the wire was wound too tight when they manufactured it.

First spool of Elektrasola that I ever had issues with.

I still have that nearly full spool I've had trouble with.
It is Elecktrisola 42SPN Natural.
It has loop wind overs.
Just all of a sudden it will break on the end at the same place.
Trouble is, it is great wire and a nice size, and I hate to send it back.
So far now I still have it.
T

[big_teee]

Try unwinding a few hundred winds gently by hand, it should fall off of the spool.

I just had to send back about 4 lbs of an 8 lb spool I was having problems with. It was all kinky coming off the spool and very rough coming off as well.

It felt like the wire was wound too tight when they manufactured it.

First spool of Elektrasola that I ever had issues with.

Hey Stratz:
Did you get a Recall answer on this?
I hope they sent you a big ole Fat spool for compensation!
T

[Stratz]

Hey Stratz:
Did you get a Recall answer on this?
I hope they sent you a big ole Fat spool for compensation!
T

I got the new spool yesterday. Same OD but the ohms per 1,000 ft is off by a bit

I estimated my screwed up spool had about 4 lbs left on it so Larry sent me 4.5 lbs . I'll find out how much it weighs at the post office Tomorrow. They didn't supply any pre paid shipping label so I'll have to eat that.

Cant complain really. They've been very good to me through many purchases .

I hate to send it back though, I think the kinkiness of the wire made some of the pickups I wound with it sound a little better than normal

[big_teee]

I got the new spool yesterday. Same OD but the ohms per 1,000 ft is off by a bit

I estimated my screwed up spool had about 4 lbs left on it so Larry sent me 4.5 lbs . I'll find out how much it weighs at the post office Tomorrow. They didn't supply any pre paid shipping label so I'll have to eat that.

Cant complain really. They've been very good to me through many purchases .

I hate to send it back though, I think the kinkiness of the wire made some of the pickups I wound with it sound a little better than normal

Secret recipe on the kinky wire!
Are you using the AFX magnets, or some secret formula?
T

[Stratz]

Secret recipe on the kinky wire!
Are you using the AFX magnets, or some secret formula?
T

I use all different kinds of magnets. Just got another bag of NOS fender A5 rods from my Dad

[big_teee]

I use all different kinds of magnets. Just got another bag of NOS fender A5 rods from my Dad

I can help you store some, if you have too many?

[big_teee]

So what is Everyone working on?
It's been pretty quiet lately.
I've been busy on everything but Pickups.
Farming and Mechanicing mostly.
I will try to get back on the Stack Strat Set.
I have the bobbins wound and the bottom flatwork cut out.
Need to finish the neck and middle to go with the Bridge I already have in the guitar.
Oh, and speaking of Pickups, I have a Pickup Bed to pull and a electric fuel pump to install, on my 2000 Silverado!
I'm retired, but never a dull moment!
Rock Steady!
T

[mcgruff]

Just installed Jimmy Page wiring in my Epiphone dot last night. I'm in tone heaven; adds lots of great new sounds. Combined with new humbuckers - made with help from this forum - the guitar has been transformed from boiled cabbage into barbecued ribs with hot sauce. With some good advice, my first attempts at winding have really hit the target.

Next step is to experiment with small variations in the humbucker design. In particular I'm looking for a good split tone so I've been experimenting with slug coil taps, and then splitting at the screw & tap.

After that, I'll maybe have a go at some original style dual blade Firebird pups. Might work quite well in a 335. Cermag seems to have some Firebird magnets: Alnico V and 52 x 3.2 x 8. Does that sound about right?

[Stratz]

Been working on some blade buckers for Strat and Tele . I have very little experience with ceramic magnets and that's slowing me down.
I used 43 gauge on one intended for a Tele bridge and it sounds ok but it has a mid-range hump that I don't like. I don't know if it's because of the ceramic magnet or the wire size that I used.

Any opinions if I should go to 42 gauge or a stay with the 43 and use little less wire on each bobbin?

[big_teee]

When I used the factory curved blades, and my guitars are a flatter radius, I had to much mid range.
I started making my own blades and went to a slightly raised straight blade, and All was good.
I don't like real bright bridge pickups, so I always tune my bridges a bit darker, maybe darker than you like.
If your using a tone on the bridge, you can go to a bigger pot.
I have a tele player that i build for, and he runs a 250k volume, and a 1 meg tone pot, and a .047uf tone cap.
He can roll more of the cap off with the 1 meg tone cap, and it gives him more range.
T

[Stratz]

Did you ever try just flipping the radiused blades so the flat side faces up?

My problem is that I don't have much experience using ceramics so I don't know if It's the 43 gauge wire or the ceramic magnet or a combination of both.... or what.

[big_teee]

Did you ever try just flipping the radiused blades so the flat side faces up?

My problem is that I don't have much experience using ceramics so I don't know if It's the 43 gauge wire or the ceramic magnet or a combination of both.... or what.

No I didn't try that.
I thought they cost too much to have to alter, I just make my own blades.
You will have to just make a bunch of different winds to find what you like.
I bet you will figure it out.
I did the 44 SPN, that was what I liked best, on the bridge.
I like the low winds for the neck and middle.
Maybe others will jump in and tell what they like.
T

[big_teee]

I may have an Amp kit to build, for a friend.
That should keep me busy, if I do!
T

[big_teee]

I picked up a set of My Humbuckers with polished nickel covers, that were on consignment in a guitar shop.
They were there maybe a year, they ended up in the bottom of a display case out of site and out of mind.
I picked them up and brought them home, cause no-one was looking at them because they were not visible.
I took the covers off and checked them out and recharged the magents, cause I wasn't even sure what magnets were in them.
Put the covers back on as low and tight as I could get. Then lightly repotted them with the covers on for a few minutes.
The Neck is 7.25k, and the bridge is 9.75k, a bit overwound. These both have 4 wire hookup wire. Wound with 42SPN.
I tested them in a test SG type guitar last night on my JCM800 Clone.
Wow, IMO These two pickups sounded as good as anything I've heard in a while.
So, long story short, I think the price may have gone up!
T
**What are you working on, we would like to hear?

[cenizasblancas]

I picked up a set of My Humbuckers with polished nickel covers, that were on consignment in a guitar shop.
They were there maybe a year, they ended up in the bottom of a display case out of site and out of mind.
I picked them up and brought them home, cause no-one was looking at them because they were not visible.
I took the covers off and checked them out and recharged the magents, cause I wasn't even sure what magnets were in them.
Put the covers back on as low and tight as I could get. Then lightly repotted them with the covers on for a few minutes.
The Neck is 7.25k, and the bridge is 9.75k, a bit overwound. These both have 4 wire hookup wire. Wound with 42SPN.
I tested them in a test SG type guitar last night on my JCM800 Clone.
Wow, IMO These two pickups sounded as good as anything I've heard in a while.
So, long story short, I think the price may have gone up!
T
**What are you working on, we would like to hear?

I read a lot about pickups sounds, but can you post sound samples with a spec of the amp configuration? I would like to hear those babies ...

[big_teee]

I read a lot about pickups sounds, but can you post sound samples with a spec of the amp configuration? I would like to hear those babies ...

Sorry, Not that great of a Player here!
I'll leave the demos for you Pros.

[big_teee]

I picked up a set of My Humbuckers with polished nickel covers, that were on consignment in a guitar shop.
They were there maybe a year, they ended up in the bottom of a display case out of site and out of mind.
I picked them up and brought them home, cause no-one was looking at them because they were not visible.
I took the covers off and checked them out and recharged the magents, cause I wasn't even sure what magnets were in them.
Put the covers back on as low and tight as I could get. Then lightly repotted them with the covers on for a few minutes.
The Neck is 7.25k, and the bridge is 9.75k, a bit overwound. These both have 4 wire hookup wire. Wound with 42SPN.
I tested them in a test SG type guitar last night on my JCM800 Clone.
Wow, IMO These two pickups sounded as good as anything I've heard in a while.
So, long story short, I think the price may have gone up!
T
**What are you working on, we would like to hear?

Wasn't really Trying, but They SOLD Yesterday!
Moral of the story, I should picked them up from the music store sooner.

What projects do you have going?

[Steve A.]

Sorry, Not that great of a Player here!
I'll leave the demos for you Pros.

I think that a guitarist really needs to play pickups himself to judge their sound and response so sound samples aren't necessarily that useful- I would place more credence on your evaluation of them.

Some winders offer a free "redo" within 30 days like if the customer thinks that the pickup is too hot or not hot enough- or whatever. That does cost the winder money but it should be factored into the sell price.

Steve Ahola

P.S. Do you think that your post here had anything to do with the sale of the pickups? Had I read your post earlier I might have wanted to buy them myself.

[big_teee]

I think that a guitarist really needs to play pickups himself to judge their sound and response so sound samples aren't necessarily that useful- I would place more credence on your evaluation of them.

Some winders offer a free "redo" within 30 days like if the customer thinks that the pickup is too hot or not hot enough- or whatever. That does cost the winder money but it should be factored into the sell price.

Steve Ahola

P.S. Do you think that your post here had anything to do with the sale of the pickups? Had I read your post earlier I might have wanted to buy them myself.

I emailed a friend customer, that I had them and he bought them sight unseen, trusting what I told him.
I apologize if my posts look like I was advertising, I wasn't.
I was surprised twice.
I was surprised how good they sounded.
Then I was surprised again how fast I sold them.
I'm really phasing down quite a bit.
I'm retired, and don't want to do to much.
Next I'm going to try to reduce my stock in loaded Strat Pickguards.
I may be listing some of them in the Flea Market area.
So, Last week I traded some stuff for a wah pedal, this week I got rid of the NickelBuckers.
Who knows what is in store for next week.
T

[copperheadroads]

NickelBuckers.

NickelBuckers ?

[big_teee]

NickelBuckers ?

Nickel covered Humbuckers, Thus NickelBuckers for short!
T

[SonnyW]

Nickel covered Humbuckers, Thus NickelBuckers for short!
T

So could those be similar to 50% winds of a dimebucker??

[copperheadroads]

Nickel covered Humbuckers, Thus NickelBuckers for short!
T

OH good
I thought (just for a second ) Nickelback endorsed your pickups......

[big_teee]

OH good
I thought (just for a second ) Nickelback endorsed your pickups......

I wish!
I like nickelback.
Saw them on cable a while back.
There is still some pretty good rock and roll , if you weed thru the Rap, and Crap!

[big_teee]

Beginner/Hobbyist, I love It.
Don't know when we got the Sub-Forum Name Change, but I Dig it.
That pretty much describes my Winding, a little bit Beginner, and a little bit Hobbyist!
T

[rhgwynn]

Beginner/Hobbyist, I love It.
Don't know when we got the Sub-Forum Name Change, but I Dig it.
That pretty much describes my Winding, a little bit Beginner, and a little bit Hobbyist!
T

It's nice; it removes the connotation that people who discuss here don't know a thing. Will probably encourage more discussion.

-Rob