EB-0 Mudbucker Rebuild

[big_teee]

I have been Rebuilding a Artec Mudbucker.
I posted the start of the project in the roundtable thread.
I am moving it here to its separate thread.
Here are the first pictures before I started modifying it.
T

[big_teee]

So I tried the Artec Pickup stock. It was muddy and Hummed profusely.
It is not wired correctly, magnets are not oriented correctly and is wired more like a Side bucker, not a sidewinder.
So I rearranged the magnets, sidewinder style, North/Poles/North.
It still hummed and was very muddy.
I estimated that each coil has 20,000-22,000 turns of 42SPN per coil.
Also the bobbin slug bar is a narrow bar and only the D, & A poles thread through the bobbin bar.
The G & E are threaded through the keeper only, outside the bobbin bar.
This causes the D & A strings to be much louder than the G & E strings.
After rewinding the stock bobbins with 41SPN, The Pickup sounded much better but still had the weak outside strings because of the narrow bobbin bar.
I decided to scrap the bobbins, the bobbin bar and the 4 external magnets.
So I shortened two EMG Bobbins, and 2 EMG magnets.
I made new bobbins and wound them, and have pictures of old and new bobbins here.
Next I will assemble the pickup with the new bobbins and test.
I will take more pics after assembly.
TBC
T
**Edit
These are the bobbins and magnets I cut down, for this project.
http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts...g#.VX8CEry37tQ
http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts...n#.VX8CSLy37tQ

[big_teee]

Got it all permanently assembled.
I tested it several times in the test bass in the building process.
Sounded even better and stronger after it was fully assembled, potted and taped.
Good highs, Lows and Mids.
Much better sounding with the new custom cut down magnets and bobbins.
The new bobbins makes it a more modern Narrow aperture pickup with less mud.
So my final summary?
if you want to rebuild a import EB-0 mudbucker, I recommend to salvage the cover, baseplate, keeper bars, Screws, and cable.
Use, and wind new bobbins, with Internal bass magnets.
Discard the old Bobbins, bobbin bar and use the 4--- .125" x .5" x 2.5" ceramic magnets for some other guitar project.
Here are some pictures before and after potting, and final taping.
T
**Edit
I Documented it all here, so later when I want to do it again, I can remember what I did.
This one got shipped to PA. and installed in a Gibson Midtown Bass.
https://www.google.com/search?q=gibs...w=1366&bih=592

[big_teee]

Update on the rebuilt Artec Mudbucker.
I sent it to the guy in PA, Regional Pro.
He loves the pickup, and says it sounds like a good strong sidewinder without the mud.
GIVE THIS MODDED PICKUP BUILD A TRY!
Below is the bobbin specs and wind data.
T