Single coil construction questions

[Zhangliqun]

Looking at getting the Stew Mac kit PLUS ordering some Alnico 4 rod mags from Allstar -- and possibly bigger diameter (the .194's rather than .187's) for some home made action.

1) How are the magnets and flatwork secured together -- glue or just a snug fit?

2) Why don't they wrap a layer of tape around the magnets instead of winding the coil right on the bare magnets?

3) What substance do they use to "glue" the coil wire to the "floor" (bottom flatwork piece) of the pickup to bring them out to the eyelets? If you don't know what I mean, look at the leads of a single coil right where they come out of the pickup and you'll see the two strands tiny copper coil wire coming out from under the pickup cover to the eyelets where the pickup leads are soldered. They appear to be glued or lacquered in place.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Single coil construction questions

Looking at getting the Stew Mac kit PLUS ordering some Alnico 4 rod mags from Allstar -- and possibly bigger diameter (the .194's rather than .187's) for some home made action.

1) How are the magnets and flatwork secured together -- glue or just a snug fit?

2) Why don't they wrap a layer of tape around the magnets instead of winding the coil right on the bare magnets?

3) What substance do they use to "glue" the coil wire to the "floor" (bottom flatwork piece) of the pickup to bring them out to the eyelets? If you don't know what I mean, look at the leads of a single coil right where they come out of the pickup and you'll see the two strands tiny copper coil wire coming out from under the pickup cover to the eyelets where the pickup leads are soldered. They appear to be glued or lacquered in place.

1. Usually just a tight press fit.
2. The wire is already insulated with either enamel or poly or a similar coating.
3. Wax...I think.

Just educated guesses...

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single coil construction questions

1. Usually just a tight press fit.
2. The wire is already insulated with either enamel or poly or a similar coating.
3. Wax...I think.

Just educated guesses...

LOL, if those are educated guesses, I´d hate to know how exact you are when you know you´re right. :beerchug:

Oh, wait...I DO :laugh2:

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Single coil construction questions

1. Usually just a tight press fit.
2. The wire is already insulated with either enamel or poly or a similar coating.
3. Wax...I think.

Just educated guesses...

I know the wire is insulated and there's no problem with shorting on the magnets (otherwise the coil would short itself). But if the magnets are taped over, it might make magnet swapping possible, although the ideal would be a design like the humbucker bobbin where the poles are completely encased in the plastic without touching the coil at all. But thin enough that it doesn't significantly affect the coil shape or size.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single coil construction questions

Would not reallywork.... if you wound tape around it, the entire coil would still collapse from the tension if you pulled one of the E-poles.. you COULD change the others, though

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Single coil construction questions

Polepiece swapping is not really possible with that kind of single coil and I doubt taping the poles would really help. For one thing, the tape would stick to the poles and if you removed one you'd tear up the tape.

Even adjusting the polepiece up or down is difficult once the wire has been wrapped around the polepieces. Eric Johnson has mentioned doing that but he's also admitted that he's broken the wire inside the pickup and ruined a few pickups trying to adjust the polepieces.

I have seen some single coils Strat type pickups that looked like they'd been dipped in enamel or something clear before having the wire wound around them. But I haven't seen that in any of my old Fender pickups or newer Duncan pickups.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Single coil construction questions

It still might work on the E poles if you shoved the new mag right in behind it. Still risky though. But the best is just to have them made like humbucker bobbins.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Single coil construction questions

But I wonder how they would melt the wax to hold those two leads down without melting the insulation on the coil wire...

 

[Jester700]

Re: Single coil construction questions

This is why I like aftermarkets like DiMarzio (and Duncan?) that use a plastic bobbin - you can pull, flip, and replace to your heart's content with no risk of pickup damage.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Single coil construction questions

This is why I like aftermarkets like DiMarzio (and Duncan?) that use a plastic bobbin - you can pull, flip, and replace to your heart's content with no risk of pickup damage.

Did not know that. Gotta find out who their supplier is. I'm looking at getting into winding my own...