Original Early 50's Fender Champion Lap Steel Pickup - Identification?

[Plyguitar]

Hi, new to the SD Forum or any forum really, but decided to join as I have some questions related to my recent purchase of a Fender lap steel.
It is an early 50's Champion lap steel with the pearloid molded finish and included an alligator case and a cool vintage Stevens AP&M bar slide.
I was told everything is original, including the pickup, and I trust the seller who is a well known dealer here in Las Vegas.
Based on the Clarostat pots (w/ blue stamp code), I've been able to date it to late 52 or early 53 and the bridge SN is 2893, so I lean more on the 1952 side.
Also, the tuners have the flat head screws and I read that the 52's mixed flat head screws on some parts and Phillips on the bridge and cover, etc...

My question is in the pickup. After I opened the bridge plate, the pickup looks original, but seemed to have more wax on the top, at least as far as comparing to pickups being sold out there. I have bought an Antiquity lap steel pickup from SD for a different project and I can see a slight difference between the two, so I was wondering if there are more clear ways to identify these pickups as original or not modified. Is the amount of wax normal? I also didn't want to remove the set screws (flat heads) in order to see the bottom of the pickup, unless there would definitely be some kind of ID mark there, but I have not seen or read info that these early pickups have a sticker or anything on the bottom plate. The Antiquity has a SD sticker on the bottom.

I attached some photos and measured this pickup resistance at 8.12k.

I don't plan on taking the pickup out and she plays and sounds great. Will keep it all original as long as I have it. Since these particular pickups are sot after, maybe someone can shed more light on the subject. I've sort of reached the limit from what I've read online and in the forums.

 

[Plyguitar]

Re: Original Early 50's Fender Champion Lap Steel Pickup - Identification?

Ok, so quick update. I got an appraisal today from a good local dealer and everything checks out. I learned quite a bit over the last couple of days, regarding these pickups.
The 8.12k Ohm DCR is normal for the 52/53 year time frame. Fender used AWG43 wire with more windings during this time. They sometimes used AWG42 with less windings, so you end up with a lower DCR avg around 6k and a weaker sounding pickup. Good thing to think about if anyone is thinking to modify and old lap steel pickup for a Telecaster build or they want to make a Keith Richards style guitar.

One other thing that I learned was that the Broadcaster/Nocaster/51 era pickups used thinner wire with even more windings...? Those will typically have a DCR between 11 or 12k! I guess when the stagger pole pickups were introduced in 1955 they were wound with AWG42 and tonally would be very different from the flat pole pickups. Hence, the plundering of the old champion lap steel pickups.

So, I do have a Seymour Duncan Antiquity lap steel pickup and plan to us it in a homemade lap steel project. The DCR on it reads about 8.5-9k.
Does anyone have more spec's on these, i.e. wire gauge or windings, magnets, inductance, etc...?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Original Early 50's Fender Champion Lap Steel Pickup - Identification?

I would contact the custom shop and see if there's any possibility Seymour would be available and willing to answer your questions. Your guitar sounds like one he might enjoy discussing.

 

[Plyguitar]

Re: Original Early 50's Fender Champion Lap Steel Pickup - Identification?

Slowly piecing it together. Thanks, I may contact the custom shop at some point.
Here is an article I found on the SD website written by sltwtr: https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/swd-qa/what-kind-of-pickups-are-used-on-older-fender-lap-steels
The Fender Champion pickup was determined to be: 7,633 Turns 43 PE Telecaster style pickup. I am thinking this is what the Antiquity lap steel pickup is based on, but not totally sure.
For history sake, there probably could be a line item for the 42 PE wound Champion pickups, but since these are not as good tonally, SD probably wouldn't have bothered...