Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

[gibsonbass76]

I just had a '59 Duncan show up that I won on eBay, and half of the tape surrounding the pickup is missing. The pickup doesn't have any residue, and is in pretty good shape. Is there any chance that this is a mistake from the factory? I found tape at Stew Mac, can I just re-wrap it or is there more to it?

 

[appar111]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Should just be able to rewrap it. The tape from Stew-Mac is the paper tape, right?

 

[gibsonbass76]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

They have 1/4" paper, and 3/8" cloth available.

 

[gibsonbass76]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Is there insulation or any thing that has to be replaced that could have come out.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Is there insulation or any thing that has to be replaced that could have come out.

You can probably just buy the paper tape and wrap it around. No biggie.

 

[gibsonbass76]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

You can probably just buy the paper tape and wrap it around. No biggie.

Alright, thanks

 

[blueman335]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

It's there to protect the coil wire. One break in that wire and the PU's dead.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

It's there to protect the coil wire. One break in that wire and the PU's dead.

Yeah, I mean, you kinda need it it there but there's nothing special about putting it on.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Originally it probably also worked against being microphonic. They didn't wax pot back then.

They all had covers originally so damage might not be a big factor.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

It's just there to protect the coil wraps.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Originally it probably also worked against being microphonic. They didn't wax pot back then.

They all had covers originally so damage might not be a big factor.

^ this

electrical tape works just as well, but doesn't look as pretty

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

Electrical tape "creeps" after it's stretched and will leave a sticky mess. Not a big deal if you keep a cover on the pickup, but if it's going to remain uncovered, the cloth tape is the best way to go; not exactly "vintage" but durable.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Importance of the tape on a humbucker.

+1.
I like the cloth tape best.