How to unwind a coil?
- Thread starter Natman
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Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: How to unwind a coil?
I have done this a couple of times. If it's a relatively new potted pickup, it's a lot easier but still risky. If it's an old pickup and the wax is old and brittle, it's all but certain that the wire will break several times, with a high risk that you may not be able to find where it broke when it does. Have a magnifying glass handy for just such a possibility. This is also a risk even with new pickups, though less so, although sometimes the wax in new pickups can also be a bit brittle.
You also have to be willing to spend several hours -- sometimes days -- to unwind even 0.5k (about 600 turns) off a potted coil because you can't move fast or the wire will break every other turn.
Removing turns is much faster and safer with unpotted pickups.
The only thing I can think of that might speed it up is to run a blow dryer on it constantly to soften the wax while you remove the wire.
I have done this a couple of times. If it's a relatively new potted pickup, it's a lot easier but still risky. If it's an old pickup and the wax is old and brittle, it's all but certain that the wire will break several times, with a high risk that you may not be able to find where it broke when it does. Have a magnifying glass handy for just such a possibility. This is also a risk even with new pickups, though less so, although sometimes the wax in new pickups can also be a bit brittle.
You also have to be willing to spend several hours -- sometimes days -- to unwind even 0.5k (about 600 turns) off a potted coil because you can't move fast or the wire will break every other turn.
Removing turns is much faster and safer with unpotted pickups.
The only thing I can think of that might speed it up is to run a blow dryer on it constantly to soften the wax while you remove the wire.
Last edited:
hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: How to unwind a coil?
Hi Zhang, it sound like a pain in the ass. First thought was: Dont fool around, give it to a winder and get a rewound for 50 bucks or so. But it might be an interesting experience to wind down 1.5k to make an Unbucker. GEE, this means 1,800 turns :-(
Hi Zhang, it sound like a pain in the ass. First thought was: Dont fool around, give it to a winder and get a rewound for 50 bucks or so. But it might be an interesting experience to wind down 1.5k to make an Unbucker. GEE, this means 1,800 turns :-(
W
WGTP
Guest
Re: How to unwind a coil?
Custom UNwinding a pickup.
Custom UNwinding a pickup.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: How to unwind a coil?
Normally I'd advise against that kind of DIY, but you sound a bit like me: a combination of being curious/obsessed enough with tone and too poor to buy 80 million custom pickups that you have to try these things out yourself.
What the hey, give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, either MJ or I could rewind it for you...
Greco -- the best place to go to read about winding is at the AMPGE forum. Mr. Wolfe of Wolfetone, Lollar, and pretty much all of the bigger boutique names (there have been rumors that Seymour himself has popped in once or twice but I can't verify) who know a lot more about it than I do hang out in there, as do lesser-knowns and fledgling winders like myself.
A book by me about unwinding pickups would be about one page, and would just be a reprint of my post above...
hamerfan said:
Normally I'd advise against that kind of DIY, but you sound a bit like me: a combination of being curious/obsessed enough with tone and too poor to buy 80 million custom pickups that you have to try these things out yourself.
What the hey, give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, either MJ or I could rewind it for you...
Greco -- the best place to go to read about winding is at the AMPGE forum. Mr. Wolfe of Wolfetone, Lollar, and pretty much all of the bigger boutique names (there have been rumors that Seymour himself has popped in once or twice but I can't verify) who know a lot more about it than I do hang out in there, as do lesser-knowns and fledgling winders like myself.
A book by me about unwinding pickups would be about one page, and would just be a reprint of my post above...
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: How to unwind a coil?
Gotcha. Still, the AMPGE forum is the place to go. My little book wouldn't amount to half of what they've forgotten.
Gotcha. Still, the AMPGE forum is the place to go. My little book wouldn't amount to half of what they've forgotten.
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