I just acquired a 70's Fender Widerange humbucker and need to remagnetize the polepiece magnets. I've never remagnetized, so I want to do it right on these rare magnets. Do I put the same polarity against the magnets, i.e. north to north, south to south? Also, about how long should I recharge for?
remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
- Thread starter LarryN
- Start date
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
I have the same issue ... years ago I bought a s/h pair of Fender Widerange buckers for a friend, and discovered their magnetism was all but gone. They have been in storage ever since.
More recently, i heard about remagnetising using NeoDym magnets, so i got my hopes up. But then i heard that CuNiFe, the magnetic material used to create the threaded polepieces for the W/R buckers, doesn't hold it's charge so well, and that recharging with a magnet may not be good enough in the long-term.
So now i'm unsure what to do, and will be keeping an eye on this thread for any other experiences or solutions.
I have the same issue ... years ago I bought a s/h pair of Fender Widerange buckers for a friend, and discovered their magnetism was all but gone. They have been in storage ever since.
More recently, i heard about remagnetising using NeoDym magnets, so i got my hopes up. But then i heard that CuNiFe, the magnetic material used to create the threaded polepieces for the W/R buckers, doesn't hold it's charge so well, and that recharging with a magnet may not be good enough in the long-term.
So now i'm unsure what to do, and will be keeping an eye on this thread for any other experiences or solutions.
LtKojak
New member
CloneRanger
New member
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Use a compass to determine polarity.
hvm
Use a compass to determine polarity.
hvm
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Are the widerange buckers more susceptible to this?
Are the widerange buckers more susceptible to this?
LtKojak
New member
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Ceramics ain't going to help much... you need a Neo.
Or, even better, take'em to a pro.
HTH,
Ceramics ain't going to help much... you need a Neo.
Or, even better, take'em to a pro.
HTH,
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
So flipping the polarity would be accomplished by putting the same polarity against the magnet? I'm just trying to get the theory/technique straight.
LtKojak
New member
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Well, I'd say take it to a pro.
Bill Megela, Electric City Pickups is very capable of helping you with the re-magnetisation of the p'ups.
HTH,
Well, I'd say take it to a pro.
Bill Megela, Electric City Pickups is very capable of helping you with the re-magnetisation of the p'ups.
HTH,
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Thanks for the recommend. I'm going to try Neo's first, because I'm a DIY'er, but if they don't give me enough charge, I'll probably send it out. If I buy Neo's, what would a good size be? I see references to N35 on some of the auctions. It would be nice to get some info on these.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Sorry, I have my '74 Tele Custom right next to me, but i recently moved house and there is still a mountain of stuff to unpack, meaning I haven't found my compass yet.
Sorry, I have my '74 Tele Custom right next to me, but i recently moved house and there is still a mountain of stuff to unpack, meaning I haven't found my compass yet.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Going now to have a look for the compass, but ... it could be anywhere. In the meantime, here's a pic of my pickup screwed to a few bits of wood, metal and plastic fondly becoming known as ol' stinky.
Going now to have a look for the compass, but ... it could be anywhere. In the meantime, here's a pic of my pickup screwed to a few bits of wood, metal and plastic fondly becoming known as ol' stinky.
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crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
Okay, I found the compass !
The coil closest to the neck is North at the top (both the visible and hidden poles), and the coil closest to the bridge is South.
Okay, I found the compass !
The coil closest to the neck is North at the top (both the visible and hidden poles), and the coil closest to the bridge is South.
Re: remagnetizing Widerange Fender - polarity
These are definitely my favorite pickup. It's kind of a toss up as to whether the bridge pickup is a single or a widerange. They both sound great. Does anyone know how you accomplish flipping the polarity? So far it seems like letting the opposite pole attract to the magnet you're recharging keeps it as it was. Am I on the right track?
Thanks for going through all that. Nice guitar! I like the Strat jack.
These are definitely my favorite pickup. It's kind of a toss up as to whether the bridge pickup is a single or a widerange. They both sound great. Does anyone know how you accomplish flipping the polarity? So far it seems like letting the opposite pole attract to the magnet you're recharging keeps it as it was. Am I on the right track?
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