What kind of epoxy is best for potting pickups?

[big_black]

I'm going to be putting a Custom/'59 hybrid in the bridge of my TB copy. The cover is pretty big so I think I'm going to use epoxy instead of wax.

Anyone ever epoxy-pot a pickup?

[theodie]

Use JB weld!

If you cant find that, use liquid nails.

[big_black]

Thanks dude!

[theodie]

BB, I am just kidding actually! DO NOT DO THIS, it was a joke!!!!!!! I have never heard about an epoxy potted pickup except maybe like an EMG or something!

[frankfalbo]

Well at that point you're not really potting anything, you're just glueing the cover on. The purpose of potting with something thinner (like a thin flowing epoxy or hot wax) is to get it to fill all the hollow air gaps. You can't do that with JB Weld or Liquid Nails. Not challenging the almighty Odie on his recommendation, just saying that if you feel you've lost some of the potting integrity on the magnet and other parts of the assembly during hybriding, the JBW/LN won't "re-pot" anything. I would use something that could be removed easily, like wax, in case you decide to swap pups at some point. Possibly a caulking material that would peel off. Or you could wrap the pickup in plastic wrap, do your JBW/LN "potting" to fill in the cover all around, and then take the pup out, take the plastic off, and re-insert it with wax potting so that you aren't filling up the whole thing with wax, just the immediate perimiter.

Edit: Thanks for verifying your crappy idea was just a joke, Dave! Although I still stick behind my idea of Liquid Nails-ing the overall size of the pickup to fill it in, then wax potting the interior.

[joelap]

I've always used Parafin Wax... or whatever that wax is called that you can eat. Kills two birds with one stone really.

[theodie]

Edit: Thanks for verifying your crappy idea was just a joke, Dave! Although I still stick behind my idea of Liquid Nails-ing the overall size of the pickup to fill it in, then wax potting the interior.

I kept reading and I was wondering if you got it or not!!! LOL! I hope Big Black has not tried this!!!!

[big_black]

Isn't the Gibson Iommi potted with epoxy?

I'm not concerned that the pickup is not potted properly, but the cover is over-sized and I'm afraid it will become microphonic when I put it in there. I think the builder epoxied the pickup into it's current cover to hold it in.

[theodie]

Isn't the Gibson Iommi potted with epoxy?

I know it is sealed with epoxy but, I dont know if it is potted with it??????

Why do you want to pot with epoxy mang????

[big_black]

I still stick behind my idea of Liquid Nails-ing the overall size of the pickup to fill it in, then wax potting the interior.

That's what I was thinking about doing.

[big_black]

I know it is sealed with epoxy but, I dont know if it is potted with it??????

Why do you want to pot with epoxy mang????

I think the pickups are epoxied in the covers so they hold. I have to pull it out again and look it over. The cover and mounting are different from a normal pickup. It attaches to a plate that adjust through the bottom.





I talked to the builder and what he used disintegrates with a small amount of heat.

[big_black]

I got the pickup for $25 and I'm going to have to drill out the baseplate of the pickup anyway so I don't mind it not being usable in another guitar. I won't be changing this one ever.