Post Type Archives: SWD

The magnetic domains are locked in position as established by initial magnetization. The domains are held in place until acted upon by forces exceeding the locked in force. Various factors affecting magnet stability include metallurgical changes, time, temperature, reluctance changes, adverse fields, shock, stress and vibration as quoted from Indiana General. Metallurgical: In the older…

From my notes given to me by Indiana General years ago they say that several types of protective coating and coverings are available for many magnets. Due to the porosity and high resistivity, Ceramic magnets cannot be electroplated. Most Alnico magnets can be plated to prevent corrosion and a covering suitable for soldering. Cast alnico…

You divide 3 into 16 (3/16) and you get .1875″. I use calipers to measure my guitar parts most all the time. The Dial Calipers give precise measurements especially when measuring diameter of magnets. Some calipers measure in ruler increments, some measure metric and the best is digital read out. The chart below will give…

Contrary to what others believe, I do age magnets physically and visibly. I quote from Dean of Technology Lester R. Moskowitz, registered professional engineer and author of “The Permanent Magnet Design and Application Handbook. “Fortunately, modern Alnico and Ferrite materials are metallurgically stabilized by aging at the mills and are generally very stable.” He lists…

Magnets can be moved or changed on Stratocasters that have molded bobbins. I’ve often changed the magnets in the molded bobbins with others found from broken or destroyed pickups. At times older magnets have less string pull and staggering the pole pieces for the desired string output. I like replacing the flat poles (all the…

I have used two types of scribers that work well. One is made by General Tool Mfg. Co. in New York (most well stocked hardware stores carry General Tools) and is part # 88. The scriber has a Tungsten Carbide point that’s useful for scribing stainless steel, ceramics, glass and magnets. The scriber # 88…

I want to start by giving those interested a glossary of terms that will help you have a better understanding and terminology used in magnets and coils. It may be complicated and confusing but is a part of the science used in making guitar, bass and steel guitar’s sound the way they do. I’ve gotten…

Adjustable pole pieces are used to help balance the output of each string. Fixed pole pieces as used in many Fender style pickups may have rod magnet pole pieces cut to the desired length for better balance and output of each string. Early Stratocaster had pole pieces cut to a desired length for string made…

I would use an abrasive blade made of aluminum oxide for metal cutting and a silicon carbide abrasive wheel should not be used as it’s mainly for masonry cutting (tiles and cement). Aluminum oxide grinding wheels work well for shaping the magnets for the desired chamfer or sharp edges. Sandpaper has several backings and different…

The screws used on Gretsch Filtertron pickups designed by Ray Butts are 6-40 (diameter and threads per inch) X 3/4″ Fillister head, slotted, steel machine screw. Newer Gretsch pickups use a 3-48 screw to hold the covers onto a bottom plate and mounting ring. Gretsch pickups made in Japan use Metric screws. Make sure you…