'54 Vintage Tele Bridge Pickup (STL-1) - WAX Potted?

[ssharts12]

Installing this pickup soon and was wondering if it's wax potted to reduce squealing at loud volumes (I use overdrive pedals and a high gain distortion channel). If it is potted I'm curious how it compares to the amount of potting in a Dimarzio Twang King. The Dimarzio website says it's 'double wax potted' to reduce squeal. Is the '54 also double potted and does that include the bottom plate? I read that Antiquity pickups have the bottom plate un-potted for that 'on the verge of feedback' tone which I'm trying to avoid.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: '54 Vintage Tele Bridge Pickup (STL-1) - WAX Potted?

I don't know the details of the Vintage 54's potting, but I can say from 30 years of experience that I've never heard one squeal under moderate gain. I play Teles through crunchy Marshalls, often with clean boost and/or a dirt box (SD-1, DS-1, Rat). Even with a Big Muff or Fuzzrite, I don't recall my STL-1 squealing.

By comparison, I have another Tele with a GFS Repro 1950's and it does squeal. I don't want to put the GFS down, it's a really nice pickup for the money, is right on the Vintage 54's specs, and sound really good. However, it must have less potting or be wound looser because it does on occasion squeal when I pile on the gain. Nothing against the GFS, but it does point out how squeal-proof the Duncan is.

 

[ssharts12]

Re: '54 Vintage Tele Bridge Pickup (STL-1) - WAX Potted?

Thanks for the info.. much appreciated. I figured Duncan would pot the pickup really well since many modern players use overdrive and medium to high gain pedals so that makes sense. Dimarzio advertising that their pickups are 'double' potted had me curious. I still prefer the tone of Duncans though.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: '54 Vintage Tele Bridge Pickup (STL-1) - WAX Potted?

Double wax potting generally applies to pickups with a cover.

First, the individual coils are potted. Once the pickup is assembled and the cover fitted, a second potting fills the air gaps between the bobbins and the cover.