Pickups, pickups, pickups! Skeesix CBG pickups, magnetic, piezo, magnets, wire, bobbins, winding, winders, installation, single coils, humbuckers, P-90's, bar pickups - you name it, if it has something to do with a pickup, let's discuss it!
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Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by Skeesix Jul 22, 2021. 1 Reply 0 Likes
There is an old myth about pickups and ohms. Though I understand the misunderstanding of higher ohms equals a hotter pickup. You take an electrical meter, measuring the ohm of a pickup, the numbers…Continue
Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by Skeesix Mar 20, 2019. 1 Reply 0 Likes
What is the best quality coils out there? Stewmac has coils but they were too expensive, so I took a ride with cheap alternatives and was not disappointed.My findings are that coils made by…Continue
Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by ILL GREEN Feb 14, 2019. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Hey guys, I am starting to get my hands dirty in making my own homegrown pickups. I figured a custom CBG should have custom pickups.I decided to tackle the P90 design because thats my favorite sound…Continue
Started by David Harris. Last reply by John Mar 25, 2017. 7 Replies 0 Likes
I have tried a couple and they come out extremely bright and harsh. Is there a way to warm them up?Continue
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Can I use shellac as a potting material? If not, why not? If so what are the pros and cons and do I use a two pound cut?
Yep, that's how you shield them. I do the same.
I found the hardest part was figuring out how to adjust the "formula" for smaller 3 & 4 string pickups. The mass and a variety of other factors end up a little off.
A little experimentation gets you there in the end.
I added the comment because there is too many people who only ask that one question, (how many ohms?) as if it means anything. Then when you get someone who tries to apply the same to smaller coils, I just tend to begin to lose it.
Not meant to be any sort of critique. Just knowledge for those interested. Because if anyone winds their own and thinks that resistance is any sort of measure for comparison, they are headed down a rat hole.
Hey, while I have your attention, anyone using/trying Google Plus?
This is true. If I want to reproduce the same pickup, I replicate the winds, not the ohms. I use DC resistance mainly to check and make sure the coil is working.
"To translate how to make a classic sounding pickup, concentrate on the build materials and method. Wire gauge, magnet, base plate and cover."
This is true too. To make a pickup sound like a certain other pickup, you have to exactly replicate all the materials, number of winds, etc. You have to be very detail oriented.
Things to take into consideration are: wire gauge, wire insulation type, magnet size, material and value, base plate material, cover material, bobbin material, and bobbin core material if you're making a P-90 type.
The more you stray from this, the less it will sound the original you're trying to duplicate. However, if you make most of the elements the same, it will still sound "in the ballpark".
It has always been my understanding that DC resistance comparison are only useful in the world of apple to apples comparisons. The history behind this is mostly observational. Most techs have a ohm meter and it became an easy way to make comparisons. The waters become more than just muddy if you try to translate any of this into apples to oranges comparisons.
I somewhat traveled down this rat hole when I first started winding. I didn't have a counter yet so I needed to figure out how much to wind. After the first couple, it became apparent that I was not going in the direction I wanted.
I have a little bit of design knowledge and understanding of a little more than basic circuit analysis. Once I began to apply that a little, things became clearer. What I lacked in understanding was the magnetic parts of the equation but too some extent, wasn't needed.
If you take wire and wind it into and inductor, resistor or pickup, it has more than just DC resistive value. The coil will have also have both inductive and self capacitive values too. Look at simple circuit designs for filters and start changing values around, response curves change. With magnetic pickups, you also add the magnetic field itself having an effect.
If you over wind, and you lower the response of the pickup. Might be fine if you want more output but you reach a point of diminishing returns. Once you get out of the effective part of the magnetic field, those winds are not adding to the output.
In summation (feel like I'm addressing the court) it is the number of winds that you should concern yourselves with. DC resistance is a useless measurement. To translate how to make a classic sounding pickup, concentrate on the build materials and method. Wire gauge, magnet, base plate and cover. Copy the number of winds not the resistance and you will get yourself closer to the target.
Your Honors, I rest my case.
Hi Ralph, I'm not really sure from your photo, but here are some wiring diagrams that might help: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiring_resources_guitar_w...
Hi again
Just stuck a hot rails pickup into my old cigar box but have got the wiring a little wrong. Too hard to explain but if I upload a photo it might help. Maybe then someone can tell me where I went wrong. Can only get one setting from toggle switch as the yellow wire is soldered in wrong position.
Normally a piezo pickup would be something that you would run through a preamp to help match the impedance (to make it sound better). My standard pickup is magnetic, so no preamp is needed.
Hi There
Was wondering, do you run your pickups through a preamp built into guitar?? Or can I go straight to guitar jack.
Hi Ralph, ask away. I'll do my best to answer your questions. Of course, anyone else is also welcome to join in.
Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by Skeesix Jul 22, 2021. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by Skeesix Mar 20, 2019. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by ILL GREEN. Last reply by ILL GREEN Feb 14, 2019. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by David Harris. Last reply by John Mar 25, 2017. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Mr. Toad. Last reply by Mr. Toad Sep 27, 2016. 3 Replies 0 Likes
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