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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on August 18, 2014 at 4:44am

The main thing is to get flat magnets and then go from there. Neodymium or ceramic button magnets would fit the bill. Then get a thin but strong material such as fiberboard or plastic, and epoxy the magnets in the middle to make your bobbin. Wind the magnet wire around that.

This design would be similar to the second photo on my pickup workshop http://cigarboxguitars.com/resources/workshops/pickup-workshop

42 gauge wire would give better results than the thicker Radio Shack wire I was experimenting with. You'll need to come up with a pickup winder if you're working with 42 gauge.

By the way, I have a group on here called Skeesix CBG pickups, where we discuss pickups. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/skeesixcbgpickups

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Permalink Reply by ReturnToSender on August 18, 2014 at 6:05am

Make damn sure the bobbins are well attached to the magnets such that the windings don't push the bobbins off the poles. I think it's why most poles go all the way through the bobbin material, which gives them more purchase.

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Permalink Reply by Seth Kent on August 18, 2014 at 6:16am

Skeesix, thanks! Those links are what I am looking for!

And RTS, I will for sure be careful, although a quick look at the pictures of my builds will show that I will not be too careful... (Insert evil grin here)

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Permalink Reply by Don Goguen on August 19, 2014 at 2:56pm

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/thin-cigarbox-guitar-pickup

I prefer ceramic over neo magnets for sound for this style pickup.  To much string pull with Neo and can be too bright and shrill.

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Permalink Reply by Seth Kent on August 20, 2014 at 6:14am

Good Video!

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