Tape not sticking properly

R

raistlin

New member
Hi guys,

I was doing a lot of mag swaps / hybrid coils in humbuckers lately and I have this problem. The tape I am using does not stick, for some reason. After a day the wrappings around the finish wires will fall off.

I realise the best tape would be Stew-Mac but I am in the Far East where shipping is probably not justified. Is there a reasonable alternative? It doesn't have to be period correct. I am currently using the cheapie Made in China tapes, are they the culprit?

Or would these do?

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...trical-Tape-1700/?N=5002385+3294355723&rt=rud
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...iction-Tape-1755/?N=5002385+3294280628&rt=rud

Is there a way to wrap the tape around the finish wires so that they don't slide off?

Thank you in advance.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

One thing I'll mention- don't use anything too sticky on un-potted or lightly potted pickups, it's possible to rip the windings off if anyone ever removes it again.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

I would guess that the cheap tape is the issue. I've had really good luck with 3M products where similar generic products have failed, but must admit to never having tried 3M tape of any kind on a pickup. If it were me I'd be inclined to try it though. I really trust 3M products, as I had an uncle who worked at one of their plants in Missouri. I have the Stew Mac tape petsonally, which if course works great.

Do you know anyone stateside who could send you some of the Stew Mac tape.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

Let us know how it works out. It's always good to know about alternative products.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

I use generic acetate cloth tape via ebay, with mixed results. Some are ok until they're submerged in wax, one lacked stickiness, but overall I've not had to resort to named brands. That said, finding acetate cloth tape in the UK wasn't as easy as I'd expected it to be, especially as it's the same stuff used for wiring looms in cars etc.

I usually tape the soldered connections with masking tape, then go round the outside with the cloth tape - are you just taping the breakout wire connections, or round the whole coil?
 
Last edited:
Re: Tape not sticking properly

Darg1911 said:
Why? It's cloth but more of a cottony cloth. It's too wide so you'd have to cut it. And it's probably a bit thick. But, whatever works I guess.
Click to expand...

I've actually done this before. Haven't played organized hockey in a long time, but still have lots of hockey tape around...maybe it's a Canadian thing.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

Kamanda~SD said:
I've actually done this before. Haven't played organized hockey in a long time, but still have lots of hockey tape around...maybe it's a Canadian thing.
Click to expand...

Hell, I guess I can see it if it's all someone has laying around. I played when I was up north as a kid but never dawned on me to use the tape for pickups. Then again, that was probably well before I ever considered dissecting a pickup.
 
Last edited:
Re: Tape not sticking properly

Davii said:
I usually tape the soldered connections with masking tape, then go round the outside with the cloth tape - are you just taping the breakout wire connections, or round the whole coil?
Click to expand...

The soldered connection between the two coils, and around both coils to keep it tidy.

Thankfully I hadn't need to replace the tape around the plain enamel wires of each coil.
 
Re: Tape not sticking properly

No doubt.........I probably should have added that it's not the preferred tape and that it gathers dust.

I just reported that I've seen it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top