Post Type Archives: SWD

Trying to insert new magnets in a Fender style pickup will only destroy the original coil windings. It is near to impossible to replace the magnets as the coil is wound directly around the magnets with a good amount of pressure. Also earlier Fender rod magnets have small pits from sand casting and the magnet…

I have seen this done with little success. It depends on the placement and polarity of the magnet being used. The added magnet can cause interference with the stock magnet and I’ve seen them fall off inside the pickup cavity. If you are looking to add a magnet, it is best to replace the original…

Depending on the diameter of the poles and length they usually can be changed as long as some other replacement is compatible. When exchanging threaded pole pieces, it is best to use the same diameter screw with the same TPI (threads per inch) and by using shorter or longer screws can slightly change the tonality…

Putting a capacitor in series with the hot output of a pickup will reduce the amount of low frequency depending on the value of the capacitor used. Rickenbacker used this circuit on the bridge pickup of their bass and a sound made famous by Chris Squire who played in the group “YES”.

Depending on the value used, if one side of a capacitor is connected to ground and the others to the hot terminal, the higher frequencies will be cut. If you put one side of a .05 mfd. capacitor to ground and connect the other size to hot, you would reduce the brightness in the pickup…

A ferrous plate is common on the bottom of Telecaster lead pickups. It is used to help ground the bridge plate and strings and is used to adjust the bridge pickup up or down by the use of three 6/32 machine screws. The elevator plate as it is commonly called is made of steel and…

I wouldn’t suggest removing the cover for several reasons. Firstly, the cover is there to protect the fragile coil windings on the pickup and if you accidentally snag the pickup with the string while playing can result in a broken pickup. Secondly, removing the cover can cause the flatwork to get worn and moisture penetrate…

I would not recommend this either because on most single coil pickups with staggered bobbins, the pickups are fabricated with rod magnets, vulcanized fibre flatwork and are friction fit together. Once the bobbins are assembled the coil is wound directly in contact with the rod magnets. Often rod magnets have small casting pits in which…

If you are having microphonic problems without the cover, I would first try to solve the microphonic problem by checking a few things. Make sure both bobbins are firmly secured to the bottom plate. Carefully tighten the 4 bobbin mounting screws. Do not over tighten or strip the mounting holes in the bobbins. Make sure…

By removing the adjustable poles on a humbucker can reduce the output and fullness of the pickup. Removing the adjustable poles keeps the magnetic field from passing through one of the bobbins and to the strings. The magnet magnetizes the adjustable pole piece and directing the magnetic field to the string. The pickup will still…