Pickup sanding - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T11:27:19Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/pickup-sanding?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A99142&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIf that's a vintage guitar I'…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-01-04:2177249:Comment:996802013-01-04T08:03:06.394Ztadej bratkovichttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/tadejbratkovic
<p>If that's a vintage guitar I'd go really easy on it. There's almost zero risk with screw type poles if they are new, but be careful, old and rusty screws tend to seize and you can easily break the head off. Just undo the screws slowly one by one and hope for the best. Once they are out you'll be fine.</p>
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<p>Altough it's not wise to move the polepieces on a single-coil for example, I have seen companies and even SD himself do that to correct a staggered pickup or convert it to a flat…</p>
<p>If that's a vintage guitar I'd go really easy on it. There's almost zero risk with screw type poles if they are new, but be careful, old and rusty screws tend to seize and you can easily break the head off. Just undo the screws slowly one by one and hope for the best. Once they are out you'll be fine.</p>
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<p>Altough it's not wise to move the polepieces on a single-coil for example, I have seen companies and even SD himself do that to correct a staggered pickup or convert it to a flat one. There's a slight risk involved but this way I converted many Fender's staggered pups into flat ones and I'm willing to take that risk. If anyone knows the cheapest way to do so without rewinding or buying a new pickup, let me know. And if I screw up I can still rewind it on my expense. Oh yes, I remove covers too!</p>
<p>This probably calls for a "Questionable repair practices REVISITED" thread. Can't wait!</p> Thanks for the info, Paul...!…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-01-04:2177249:Comment:996772013-01-04T01:15:49.785ZRETRORODhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RETROROD
<p>Thanks for the info, Paul...! I will proceed with care, Rod</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Paul...! I will proceed with care, Rod</p> Hi Rod.
That cautionary tale…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-01-03:2177249:Comment:998082013-01-03T23:09:09.802ZPaul Verticchiohttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PaulVerticchio
<p>Hi Rod.</p>
<p>That cautionary tale only applies to the slug coil on a humbucker or the magnetic slugs on a single coil pup.</p>
<p>The Fillister screws on a P-90 thread through a metal plate. They're like any other screw in a metal threaded hole. If they're frozen, the only risk is having them break (shatter) if too much force is applied.</p>
<p>I've reconditioned dozens of these and if you give the job your complete & undivided attention and work smart & slow, you should run into…</p>
<p>Hi Rod.</p>
<p>That cautionary tale only applies to the slug coil on a humbucker or the magnetic slugs on a single coil pup.</p>
<p>The Fillister screws on a P-90 thread through a metal plate. They're like any other screw in a metal threaded hole. If they're frozen, the only risk is having them break (shatter) if too much force is applied.</p>
<p>I've reconditioned dozens of these and if you give the job your complete & undivided attention and work smart & slow, you should run into no problems. Most pups are user destroyed by "oooops" mistakes made due to impatience. You should have no problem.</p>
<p>I've attached Stew-Mac's view of a P-90 for your convenience.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167738031?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167738031?profile=original" width="440"/></a>If you need more info, it would probably be best to start a fresh thread.</p>
<p>But, while we're on this thread, I'll reveal a little known (around my area anyway) fact: Many vintage P-90's seem to develop a 'static' sound over the years. It's usually intermittent and inconsistent but always aggravating. If you take the plastic cover off the pup, you may notice iron filings (from steel wool or ???) clinging to the pup. Blow these away using compressed air and a soft brush, reassemble the pup, and the 'noise' is magically gone & the pup will sound better.</p>
<p>Best of luck,</p>
<p>Paul</p> While on the subjects of 'rus…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-01-03:2177249:Comment:997172013-01-03T22:41:35.168ZRETRORODhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RETROROD
<p>While on the subjects of 'rusty' pickups.....I reference to my '55 Les Paul Jr in a previous post. The screw poles are raised over the plastic cover of its original P-90. They are radiused okay and have a bit of rust/corrosion on the heads(that doesn't bother me). I have not tryed screwing them down. What 'could' be the pitfalls of doing so?</p>
<p>I think I could lower the bridge/tail slightly but wonder if the poles would be too close to the strings when fretting on the upper neck, so I…</p>
<p>While on the subjects of 'rusty' pickups.....I reference to my '55 Les Paul Jr in a previous post. The screw poles are raised over the plastic cover of its original P-90. They are radiused okay and have a bit of rust/corrosion on the heads(that doesn't bother me). I have not tryed screwing them down. What 'could' be the pitfalls of doing so?</p>
<p>I think I could lower the bridge/tail slightly but wonder if the poles would be too close to the strings when fretting on the upper neck, so I have not touched it.</p>
<p>I would hate to kill a vintage P-90. It was mentioned in a post previous about shorting the coil wire. What are good precautions?</p>
<p>Thanks, Rod</p> When I first read your initia…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-01-03:2177249:Comment:996502013-01-03T05:01:04.497Zlonnie james barberhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/lonniejamesbarber
<p>When I first read your initial posting my first thought was rust. Like they said before I don't think it will change your pickups sound. It personally would drive me nuts having rust on my pickups. I would try other methods other then sanding.Please don't leave it out in the rain anymore:)</p>
<p>When I first read your initial posting my first thought was rust. Like they said before I don't think it will change your pickups sound. It personally would drive me nuts having rust on my pickups. I would try other methods other then sanding.Please don't leave it out in the rain anymore:)</p> Thanks Tim,
The customer has…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2012-12-31:2177249:Comment:992542012-12-31T01:27:34.577ZRussell Vancehttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RussellVance
<p>Thanks Tim,</p>
<p>The customer has a legitimate right to ask for corrosion and stuff to be cleaned - and lots of people keep a really clean house and polish their guitar cases etc - it's maybe not what we all do but it's all in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>Maybe a touch up to remove the surface corrosion with a micro mesh stick or a non ferrous brass brush chucked in a Dremmel (I've done it, it works, but read on). After that a dab of lacquer or just a smidge of preservative/anti…</p>
<p>Thanks Tim,</p>
<p>The customer has a legitimate right to ask for corrosion and stuff to be cleaned - and lots of people keep a really clean house and polish their guitar cases etc - it's maybe not what we all do but it's all in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>Maybe a touch up to remove the surface corrosion with a micro mesh stick or a non ferrous brass brush chucked in a Dremmel (I've done it, it works, but read on). After that a dab of lacquer or just a smidge of preservative/anti corrosion stuff (not letting it wick down among the windings). This doesn't do much but it makes the customer happy for a while - but rust never sleeps unfortunately. </p>
<p>Note to the EMP Nazi's: Do not tell me that a dremmels motor electro magnetic field will affect the pickup magnetism - Eddie Van Halen used a pick chucked in an arbor of a large power drill for some of his more outlandish performances and I've been using Dremmels around electrics for quite the while with no discernable after effects....ditto holding the little suckers very close to huge palpitating speaker coils/magnets in the throes of feedback and also face to face with the output and power trannies in active amp heads - they do not seem to mind this sort of thing.</p>
<p>However, I find that the closer and longer I work with pickups on the bench just increases the chance of these delicate little darlings failing due to mis-handling and idle curiosity. It's a real case of "if it's working - do not mess with it". Removing covers (both plastic and metal) seems to be the number one cause of potential and actual damage. </p>
<p>But. all things said enjoy yr new year - I certainly will!</p>
<p>Fond regards to to all the comrades out there for 2013 and beyond.</p> "If it's the slug side of an…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2012-12-30:2177249:Comment:994452012-12-30T19:44:49.777ZPaul Verticchiohttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PaulVerticchio
<p><em>"If it's the slug side of an exposed humbucker, or a non staggered single coil, your only option is to very carefully expose about an 1/8" (3mm) section above the bobbin, using a pin punch from behind the bobbin, and use the same abrading step of your choice. When done, reverse your process and return the pickup to its stock appearance"</em>.</p>
<p>Disregard this advice^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>Thanks John. I completely forgot about that.(: </p>
<p>Personally, I don't repair or mess with…</p>
<p><em>"If it's the slug side of an exposed humbucker, or a non staggered single coil, your only option is to very carefully expose about an 1/8" (3mm) section above the bobbin, using a pin punch from behind the bobbin, and use the same abrading step of your choice. When done, reverse your process and return the pickup to its stock appearance"</em>.</p>
<p>Disregard this advice^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>Thanks John. I completely forgot about that.(: </p>
<p>Personally, I don't repair or mess with problem pups. I either send them off for a rewind or (and here's the ONLY cost effective fix) install a new/used replacement pup. The cost of a new premium pup costs way less than a couple hours of bench time. Plus, nowadays, a GREAT sounding pup is not difficult to find.</p>
<p>You're on your own Stefano.</p>
<p>Good luck (:</p> anal retentive pup mgmt!!!!!!…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2012-12-30:2177249:Comment:994342012-12-30T13:30:17.495ZTim Macehttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/TimMace478
<p>anal retentive pup mgmt!!!!!! HappyNewYear...time for "Rusty"to expound on this one.. </p>
<p>anal retentive pup mgmt!!!!!! HappyNewYear...time for "Rusty"to expound on this one.. </p> A silver "sharpie" can make t…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2012-12-30:2177249:Comment:992372012-12-30T02:49:30.230ZSteve Williamshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/SteveWilliams53
<p>A silver "sharpie" can make them look better, at least not "rusty". it wont look bare metal bright, but it wont look like rust. I don't think it can hurt anything either.</p>
<p>Steve </p>
<p>A silver "sharpie" can make them look better, at least not "rusty". it wont look bare metal bright, but it wont look like rust. I don't think it can hurt anything either.</p>
<p>Steve </p> Sorry Paul but that could rui…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2012-12-30:2177249:Comment:995232012-12-30T01:34:50.633ZJohnhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/John631
<p>Sorry Paul but that could ruin a pickup. Do not move the pole pieces on any single coil the wire is often wrapped around the pole pieces and can easily create a dead short. </p>
<p>Sorry Paul but that could ruin a pickup. Do not move the pole pieces on any single coil the wire is often wrapped around the pole pieces and can easily create a dead short. </p>