Post Type Archives: SWD

The standard size for a stud on a Gibson humbucker is .187″ diameter by 1/2″ long. The normal stud polarity is North on a standard humbucker. You would need to keep the magnets as close to length as the steel studs. When you insert the magnet rods, you need to keep the magnetic polarity “North”…

I use several types of magnetometers to measure the magnitude and direction of the magnetic fields in various pickups. I would suggest using a hand model manufactured by Annis Instruments. I often use Model 25 with the range of “50-0-50”. Magnets used within pickups can range from very low gauss to above 50 gauss. Early…

Many of the early Fender pickups used both North and South magnetic polarity. Older Broadcasters, No Casters, Telecasters and Esquires are found with both North and South bridge pickups. I have seen rhythm pickups on early models to have both North and South polarities. Both lead and rhythm pickups on these models were wound Top…

Normally single coil style Fender pickups have cast rod magnets made to a desired length and diameter. Typical coils on Fender pickups are wound directly around the magnets. Moving the pole pieces up or down can break the inner windings of the coil. When Seth Lover designed the Fender bass and guitar humbucking pickups, the…

It was the basic design given to the pickup when first designed by Seth Lover in the mid 50s. Originally the pickup was designed without adjustable pole pieces and a row of six pole pieces were added as a “selling point” to enhance sales since the P-90 had adjustable pole pieces. Traditionally under a cover,…

Gibson uses several grades of magnets made of various materials and when magnetized will have a specified strength. Over time the strength of a magnet can change that can be caused by several factors. Other magnet fields can affect the strength and orientation of a magnet. Electrical interference can change the strength and orientation of…

Laminated bars are used to reduce eddy currents and a core with higher efficiency. In transformers you have higher efficiency with a minimum number of turns using insulated laminated sheets. Eddy currents are decreased in strength by using many thin sheets rather that a solid bar. The sheets should be insulated for optimum efficiency and…

Steel rod pole pieces are usually made from a high carbon steel alloy and can conduct magnetic fields easily to the strings. A high carbon steel is best suited for conducting the magnetic field to the strings. Steel with high carbon needs to be plated with chrome, nickel or gold plating to keep the parts…

Rod pole pieces can either be Alnico rod magnets or cylindrical carbon steel studs cut to the desired length and diameter. Steel stud pole pieces are basically used to direct the magnetic field from a permanent magnet within the components of the pickup. Rod pole pieces are normally non-adjustable and their length and diameter can…

Four effect: A standard Gibson style humbucker where the adjustable polepieces extend out the bottom of the adjustable side of the pickup. You have a slight loss of magnetic field out the bottom of the pickup. The stud side has direct flow of the magnetic field to the strings and is the brighter side of…