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Ghost pickup

I’m working on a build where I want to leave the box lid uncluttered. I’m thinking about ghosting the pickup under the lid. I’ve never done that and I’m concerned that the lid may be too thick. Is there a rule of thumb or other guidance? I’m using a gitty bucker. The lid is mdf. Any advice?

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on July 26, 2022 at 4:06pm

Shane has a video, I’ve done one 3/8” -( fretted)& one 1/2” -(fretless) away from the strings with great success, but the norm is around 1/2”, I used the high output flatbucker from MGB tho (13k) not sure how the regular flatbucker would do under the lid? Best to keep the action low to alleviate any problems?https://youtu.be/OnK3aG9i8kU

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 26, 2022 at 8:02pm

Hi Michael, the distance from the bottom of the string to the top of the pickup pole, on an electric guitar, is normally set to the tone wanted by the player, but falls in a range from 1/16" to 3/16". The further the string is away from the pickup the less the output/volume.

Timber, say 1/8" thick placed between the string and the pickup has little effect on output/volume. But of course, the string has to be further from the pickup to accommodate the thickness of the top. I hope this helps
Taff

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Permalink Reply by Carl Floyd on July 28, 2022 at 3:09am

If I were to use a ghost pickup under an MDF top, I would thin the back side of the top at the pickup location.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on July 28, 2022 at 8:40am

Michael, I hot glued a Gittybucker under the lid of an mdf box last night, and sad to say, it’s not nearly as loud as the Gittybomb or Lucky 13 type pickup meant for ghosting? Flush with the top ain’t so bad, I think it actually looks kool to see the windings exposed? I have also seen pickups ghosted under pickguards, that’s a lot thinner than a box lid, so maybe an idea?

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 28, 2022 at 5:40pm

Hi here is another way to hide the pickup but get a good response. If the pickup has screwed poles, bring them to the surface through the top, as done in this acoustic fingerboard from an old guitar.

Or put small bolts threaded through the top [from the inside] to just contact under the outside surface of the top but making contact with the pickup poles on the inside.
Let us know how you go. I’ll try it myself ‘cos I like the idea.
Taff