Beginner winder questions

ALBATROS1234

New member
So, for a while I have been wanting to try my hand, I have a 70s sewing machine which I rigged up a counter. I was wondering about the effect of parts on tone. I know that the type of wire and gauge effects tone as well as the model and type of magnet effects tone. Specifically, I am talking about trying to wind so PAF style late 50s types. I have both A5 and A2 rough cast magnets that I bought as well as the plain enamel 42 awg wire. I bought some pickup kits with everything minus the coil wire. It was $20 per H.B. I assume if I just use this kit with the plain enamel 42 awg and my rough cast magnets with approx 5000 winds per coil it should reasonably approximate the sound I am hoping for. What is the difference in all of the high-priced parts? Like does it actually effect tone if a bobbin is this plastic or that? Logic tells me no. I also cannot see the spacer being maple or plastic effecting tone. The only thing I imagine could is the carbon content of the pole pieces/screws and/or baseplate. But how much to the individual pieces really effect tone if the wire, magnet and coil windings are spec. Also Magnet prices vary wildly from $5 to $50 does an expensive alnico bar magnet really make a huge difference? I am just wondering. I am going to give it a shot and see what happens. I normally build tube amps and there are a lot of cork sniffer amp guys out there who swear by this capacitor or this resistor, but I don't see a difference in component tone except in a few instances like ceramic caps do impart a touch of grit if use as a coupling cap. Anyway thanks in advance for any replies. Happy New Year all.!
 
welcome to the forum!

there is a lot of cork sniffing in lots of places. the wire we get today as #42 pe probably isnt the same as it was in the 50's. the alnico magnets we get today arent even exactly the same from different manufacturers, etc... that said, if you put around 5000 turns on each bobbin with the right turns per layer and tension, you should have something in the paf ball park. paf's covered a range of tones which is at least part of the reason there are so many pups that claim to be based on a paf
 
As a beginner, I give you to hints:
PE is a bitch to wind. It does not go smooth like a SPN.
I wound my first bobbins to practise with the thinnest nylon fishing line I could get. That saves a lot of money.
 
i dont find pe to be more difficult to wind, but practicing with thin fishing line is a good idea
 
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