magnet flipping question (which axis?)

Artie

Peaveyologist
Using this diagram as a reference, and assuming that axis "A" goes through the length of the magnet, axis "B" goes through the side, and axis "C" goes top to bottom, which axis, would the magnet rotate on, during a "flip"?

magnet_flip.jpg


(Image reduced to save bandwidth.)
 
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Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

Doesn't matter. The long thin edges/sides are the north and south poles. So you can spin it around 1/2 rotation like an airplane propeller or roll it over like rolling over in bed from your back to your stomach. Doesn't matter.

Lew
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

I was going to say that as well but I didn't know if Artie was wanting to know which axis would provide the "flip" if a north attraction to south pole occured. I think it would generally roll over as its the path of the least resistance.

Apparantly I'm about as good with axis' as I am with wiring lol. For the magnet to roll over it would be A. :smack:
 
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Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

Lewguitar said:
Doesn't matter. The long thin edges/sides are the north and south poles. So you can spin it around 1/2 rotation like an airplane propeller or roll it over like rolling over in bed from your back to your stomach. Doesn't matter.

Lew

Thanks Lew, and all. Thats what I needed to know. The last time I played with magnets was in science class, 40 years ago. Back then, traditionally, North/South would be the ends, and thats what I wasn't sure of.

So, A or C it is. :cool3:
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

Yep, A or C.

Maybe it's just me, but when I first heard about flipping magnets, I thought it would have been B, but that's definitely wrong.
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

This is slightly humorous: this morning I took apart a p'up for the first time. Its part of a pickup "restoration" that I'm attempting. Had I done this first, I wouldn't have had to ask.

There's a white stripe painted along the leading edge, which clearly shows the magnets orientation. :smack:
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

If you're worried about phase/out of phase, here's a little trick I've learned...

take the magnet and hold it over the other pup (the one that is still in the guitar). Hold it very loosely. If the pup actually feels like it is "pulling" the magnet down toward it, they are in phase. If you feel the magnet pulling away from the pickup, they are out-of-phase.
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

ArtieToo said:
Cool trick. I'll have to remember that. ;)

Not necessarily, as the other pup can still be out of phase when wired, so it won't help you with phase per se' ... but for the magnets themselves, I just use a little magnetic screw/nut/bolt grabber (not a telescopic one, just a short little plastic thing with a bendable head, and a pocket clip for your shirt pocket); I know it's attracted to a south pole, so if the coil pulls it, I know that coil or pole is south; if it pushes it away, well I know it's north (just like the magnet pole that is exposed in the grabber). Cost me $2.59 USD I think. Every automotive parts store carries them.
This way you can identify a coil magnetic polarity without holding another pup over the pup in the guitar ... same principle though.
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

BTW, the real way to get the *Detroit Tone*, is to go strip the condenser off the distributor of an old Ford Fairlane in a junk yard; wire in to your tone control ... that will give you the *Detroit Tone* ... well ... it is a .022uF capacitor you know ... :laugh2:
(I think Robert will get a kick out of this ... :laugh2: )
 
Re: magnet flipping question (which axis?)

korovamilkdud said:
If you're worried about phase/out of phase, here's a little trick I've learned...

take the magnet and hold it over the other pup (the one that is still in the guitar). Hold it very loosely. If the pup actually feels like it is "pulling" the magnet down toward it, they are in phase. If you feel the magnet pulling away from the pickup, they are out-of-phase.

That method is good for single coils, particularly if you know one is supposed to be RW/RP.
 
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