Is my pickup still okay????

[ExCaptain]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum but not to playing guitar. I have been working on my own guitars and pickups for many years but I encountered something that I am not sure about. I am hoping someone can answer my question.

I recently tried to take a chrome pickup cover off the other night and did what I usually do. I heated up the solder on the base plate to be able to slide the cover off. I don't know why, maybe the solder used had a higher melting temperature than my iron can handle, but the solder would not melt. While trying to heat it up, I noticed a clear liquid coming from the height adj. screws. I assume that was the potting wax. Not a lot came out and it wiped up pretty quick. I am now worried that I screwed up something or that the pickup is now not wax potted anymore. I tested the leads afterwards and got the same ohm reading as before. I am still waiting to put it in a guitar but I am concerend that it will be a problem. Anyone have a similar experience and have no other problems???

Sorry about the long story from a newbie here but I was just wondering. Thanks all and Happy Holidays!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Is my pickup still okay????

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum but not to playing guitar. I have been working on my own guitars and pickups for many years but I encountered something that I am not sure about. I am hoping someone can answer my question.

I recently tried to take a chrome pickup cover off the other night and did what I usually do. I heated up the solder on the base plate to be able to slide the cover off. I don't know why, maybe the solder used had a higher melting temperature than my iron can handle, but the solder would not melt. While trying to heat it up, I noticed a clear liquid coming from the height adj. screws. I assume that was the potting wax. Not a lot came out and it wiped up pretty quick. I am now worried that I screwed up something or that the pickup is now not wax potted anymore. I tested the leads afterwards and got the same ohm reading as before. I am still waiting to put it in a guitar but I am concerend that it will be a problem. Anyone have a similar experience and have no other problems???

Sorry about the long story from a newbie here but I was just wondering. Thanks all and Happy Holidays!

Use a dremel tool from now on with a thin carbide wheel on there....It's quicker and safer on the pickup....You melted a bit of wax...No big deal there....

Welcome to the forums!

 

[ExCaptain]

Re: Is my pickup still okay????

Hi,
Thank you very much for the response. I didn't think it was too much of a problem. Thanks also for the Dremel advice. I have one and will try that instead. Great Idea!