Wax potting

[Gtrjunior]

Just today I swapped an A8 magnet into a pickup that originally had an A5.
Now I’m getting some microphonic squealing.
I’ve done this same swap on 2 other of the same pickup in 2 other guitars without issue.
Any of the luthiers here capable of wax potting a pickup for me?
Of course I’d pay shipping both ways and a reasonable labor fee...

 

[Demanic]

Re: Wax potting

I don't think that it's that difficult to do. If you can handle a mag swap it shouldn't be any more difficult. I think that all you need is a double boiler so that you don't run the risk of igniting the wax. Just melt the wax and dip the pickup in, leave it until all the air bubbles stop coming off of it. Oh, and I think that you should remove the tape. Then, after it cools remove the excess wax from the surface of the bobbins and baseplate.
If I have missed anything, someone feel free to chime in and add corrections.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

I don't think that it's that difficult to do. If you can handle a mag swap it shouldn't be any more difficult. I think that all you need is a double boiler so that you don't run the risk of igniting the wax. Just melt the wax and dip the pickup in, leave it until all the air bubbles stop coming off of it. Oh, and I think that you should remove the tape. Then, after it cools remove the excess wax from the surface of the bobbins and baseplate.
If I have missed anything, someone feel free to chime in and add corrections.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

I’ll check out some YouTube vids...thx

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Wax potting

First I would just loosen the screws, squeeze it in your hand until it’s warm, then tighten the screws back down while squeezing it all back together.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

I can’t tell if you’re serious or joking...
Lol

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

Just watched a couple of YouTube vids on this.
I can absolutely do this ...I’m going to work on it tomorrow.

 

[formula73]

Re: Wax potting

I use a mini crock pot for potting. Yeah, I have to cycle it on and off to keep between 140-150, but I’ve been using it for over 10 years and it’s worked like a champ. I use coat hanger wire to suspend them near the top to keep the legs and lead clean.

If you change your mind, I’d be happy to do it.

These are a couple Greco Screamin 1982s that I potted after A8 swap and covers.

 

[beaubrummels]

Wax potting

I can’t tell if you’re serious or joking...
Lol

I’m serious. It’s a tip I heard from a former Duncan employee on here. If you repot the pickup, you risk damaging it unless you have some skills with repotting and can control the temperature well, etc.

Typically it going microphonic after a mag swap is simply taking it apart separates the wax that was helping hold it together and it didn’t get put back together tight enough so the mag and/or the coils are vibrating when they shouldn’t. Just warming it all up in your hand so the wax is pliable and squeezing it back together could solve it and avoid fully repotting.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Wax potting

I've been using a small crockpot for about 10 years filled with beeswax and paraffin - works fine. A double boiler will work, but you have to be careful not to spill any wax on the burner (fire).

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

I’m serious. It’s a tip I heard from a former Duncan employee on here. If you repot the pickup, you risk damaging it unless you have some skills with repotting and can control the temperature well, etc.

Typically it going microphonic after a mag swap is simply taking it apart separates the wax that was helping hold it together and it didn’t get put back together tight enough so the mag and/or the coils are vibrating when they shouldn’t. Just warming it all up in your hand so the wax is pliable and squeezing it back together could solve it and avoid fully repotting.

From what I’ve learned, controlling he temp is important.
I’ll take another look at it. When I was putting it back together it seemed like it didn’t “want” to seat itself the same as before. Maybe that’s exactly what happened.

 

[metlking]

Re: Wax potting

Briefly heat it a hair dryer (I use a small torch, quickly!) and then tighten the screws while its still warm.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

Briefly heat it a hair dryer (I use a small torch, quickly!) and then tighten the screws while its still warm.

Great idea!
I can do that without having to unsolder the pickup too.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Wax potting

I’ve got a vacuum potter that I’ve made out of an aquarium pump & some lifted lab equipment (THANKS DAD!!!) along with a 60/40 Paraffin to beeswax mix....

If doing it yourself doesn’t work out for you let me know & I’ll be happy to pot them for you....

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

Project on hold....I seem to have lost the maple spacer....grrrr!!


Ordered some, but probably won’t get back to this for another week or so.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

I’ve got a vacuum potter that I’ve made out of an aquarium pump & some lifted lab equipment (THANKS DAD!!!) along with a 60/40 Paraffin to beeswax mix....

If doing it yourself doesn’t work out for you let me know & I’ll be happy to pot them for you....

Cool! Thanks. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Wax potting

Was the maple spacer lost in the original swap.......cause there's a very strong candidate for the squeal.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

Was the maple spacer lost in the original swap.......cause there's a very strong candidate for the squeal.

It must have been. I can’t say for certain. After I reassembled the pickup I noticed there was a gap between the bobbins. I reinstalled it anyway and of course it was squealing. Today when I removed the pickup again and opened it back up I saw the spacer missing.
I looked all around my work area and can’t find it though....?
That said, I really need to clean my work bench. It’s pretty unorganized.

 

[formula73]

Re: Wax potting

Most of those spacers are interchangeable, whether wood or plastic. I’m sure I have spares from junk pups if you can’t find yours.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

Most of those spacers are interchangeable, whether wood or plastic. I’m sure I have spares from junk pups if you can’t find yours.

I actually ordered a couple. Thanks though.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Wax potting

I use a mini crock pot for potting. Yeah, I have to cycle it on and off to keep between 140-150, but I’ve been using it for over 10 years and it’s worked like a champ. I use coat hanger wire to suspend them near the top to keep the legs and lead clean.

If you change your mind, I’d be happy to do it.

These are a couple Greco Screamin 1982s that I potted after A8 swap and covers.

View attachment 99646
View attachment 99647

About how much wax are you melting in these pics? More than a pound?