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Topic: Exposed coils on a pickup - Quick fix? |
Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 4 May 2013 7:42 am |
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Looks like a new pickup is in the very near future. In the meantime, is there a good quick fix for these exposed coils? It's causing a lot of excess noise and I have gigs over the next few days with no backup steel. Electrical tape? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 4 May 2013 8:08 am
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I don't think the tape will help much.
Since those look like the original Emmons pups, I'd send 'em to Jerry Wallace for a rewind..
I'd investigate local options for a temporary replacement while Jerry has yours.
I don't know if you have any dealers near you or other steelers with pickups: ISTR Durham ain't far from Burlington.
As for Jerry Wallace
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=jerry+Wallace+Artesia+NM+phone
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 4 May 2013 8:21 am
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| Thanks Lane. That pickup is only a few years old, straight from the Emmons factory. I love the way it sounds but I'd be just as happy trying out something different. I was hoping there's a way to reduce the noise or keep it from unwinding even more while I waited for a new pickup to get here. |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 4 May 2013 8:23 am
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Electrical tape will work perfect. I would cut the tape
to a width that is the same as the space between the
top and bottom of the pickup. Then start at one end
of the p/up and wrap 2 or 3 full turns. Keep a little
pressure on tape as you wind it, but don't stretch it.
That's the way Ron Sr. always did mine years ago. 
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 4 May 2013 8:27 am
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| Well alright! Will I need Emmons® Brand electrical tape? |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 4 May 2013 8:36 am
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No. Any good quality black electrical tape will work fine.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 5 May 2013 6:01 am
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Be gentle and electrical tape will be fine. If you like how it sounds electrical tape is a good fix.
_________________
Bob |
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 5 May 2013 9:11 am
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| Thanks for the help guys. One question regarding the electrical tape — those few exposed coils are coming out between the original wrapping and the base of the pickup. Should I try to get them back underneath the original wrapping before putting another layer of tape around the pickup? Or is it best to just leave them where they are? I'm worried about damaging the wire if I try to put it back. |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 5 May 2013 9:44 am
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The tape should push the loose windings in when you put it on.
Be sure to hold the tape steady when you put it on, so it doesn't
pull and of the loose windings while you wrap the tape on.
Start the first turn on the end and hold it there with your finger
until the first turn is complete. Then add one or two more turns.
Do not pull the tape to break it off. Cut with sissors or razor knife.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 May 2013 4:53 pm
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With the loose wiring, I would remove the remainder of the tape and apply melted wax to the wires first then apply the electrical tape. Loose wires will cause the pickups to become microphonic and pickup all body noise. I've done this a number of times and it works great.
Dave |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 6 May 2013 4:37 am
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| Stephen Cowell wrote: |
| You love the way it sounds but it has excess noise? |
Sure. When I bought the pickup the coils weren't exposed and I've been very happy with the way it sounds. It seemed to have a lot more hum in the past few weeks, and that's when I noticed that those coils have been poking out. It's not too bad for live playing but I'd like to fix it before the next session gig.
David, thanks for the wax tip. This pickup is fairly microphonic, but that's one of the things I've liked about it. Seems to add a little more dimension to the tone and the bit of body noise it picks up has never bothered me. That being said I might swap it out for a TrueTone just to try something different. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 May 2013 5:49 am
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I'd ohm the thing and make sure it's not open... just having the wire poking out shouldn't make it hum... and taping it up probably won't stop the hum.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 6 May 2013 9:50 am
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| For best sound, it is important, of course to use BLACK electrical tape. |
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 6 May 2013 10:04 am
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| I wish they sold rosewood tape. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 6 May 2013 10:36 am
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I'd be weary of removing any old tape - That wire is damn fine and easy to break. Add new only.
Interesting - loose coils would indicate those pickups aren't potted. |
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Nathan Golub
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 6 May 2013 10:40 am
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| Definitely not potted. That one is fairly microphonic. |
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