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Topic: Supro just arrived - question (esp. for Rick) |
Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 4:44 am |
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The Supro Supreme I won on Ebay just arrived - here are some pics:
- the tuner buttons look like they are melting, but they are still fully functional.
The pickup assembly is missing one of the screws that holds the top plate to the magnets, seems like that screw has broken off - there's still part of it stuck on the body (see arrow on next picture) - even with threes screws the assembly seems to be stable, so I'm not sure whether it is worth drilling out the hole to fit a replacement; BTW, one of the screws doesn't seem to be original, looks different than the others (but I don't care, as long as it works):
The Supro came with really old, worn strings,but even with those it sounds quite nice.
Now I'm wondering whether I should send the magnets to Rick to get them regaussed - or maybe even get some of those new magnets from him...
Rick, do you still sell those? How much would they be going for?
Next (stupid) question - since I disassembled the pickup - how should it be going together again - with the magnets oriented so that they would be attracting each other (like I think), or the other way around?
And one more question - the Supro came with the original socket and cable - I think it's called Amperex or somthing like that? Is there a source for adapter to regular plugs (preferably in Europe)? I don't want to have to rely on a single 50 yr. old cable...
Thanks,
Roman |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 5:13 am
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The magnets are oriented ... so that "like poles are up" ... meaning either both (N)s are facing up ... or both (S)s ...
It doesn't matter ... as long as like poles (repelling poles) are being yolked (connected) by the steel cover plate (and the steel back plate).
As far as my replacement NIBros ... I'm way behind right now (been a rough fall) ... but I still make them.
Hopefully I'll run off a batch this weekend (weather permitting) ... I need ambient heat for them to cure properly.
And yes, I still "Remag for b0b" ... 
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Dustpans LTD.
The Casteels
HSGA
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Rick Batey
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 5:49 am
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Roman, if Rick is doing a run of NIBros... grab a couple.
Chances are that the 'unoriginal' pickup cover screw is original. The rear pair are longer, since they go right through the magnet and into the wood... the front pair don't.
Last edited by Rick Batey on 10 Jan 2009 7:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 6:04 am
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Thanks to both Ricks!
Ah, 'amphenol' is the right word - will do a search right away... |
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Charlie Vegas
From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 7:33 am
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I don't think that longer screw is original. Although my Supro is a different model, the pickup and bridge plate are very similar and all four pickup screws are machine screws. This would probably mean that the threads in the hole where the wood screw was are shot
Are your two top plate spacers aluminum or steel? Mine has one of each. I'm not sure which is original or which is better since the steel spacer is magnetic and the aluminum is not.
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 7:48 am
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Hmm, what spacers? Mine only has a top plate, and the two magnets, one on each side, presumably made from Alnico.
BTW, after some cleaning and a set of new strings, I don't think new magnets are needed that urgently - that thing ROCKS
Did a comparison to my homemade lap steel (african mahogany body, Seymour Duncan Vintage P90 pickup): while my homemade has a very clear, transparent, warm sound, with chiming treble, the Supro has a much raunchier sounds, with lots of bite in the treble frequencies (I actually have to role back the tone pot quite a bit to tame those) - kinda like "bells of heaven" vs. "tiger's roar" They have roughly similar output levels.
Can't wait to get to my band's rehearsal space to play the Supro through a cranked small tube amp (can't do that at home, neighbours...)[This message was edited by Roman Sonnleitner on 09 November 2006 at 08:15 AM.] |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 7:49 am
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| Oh, and if anyone has some spare amphenol plugs for sale, please get in contact; did a quick Google search, did not find any store in Europe that sells those... |
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Charlie Vegas
From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 7:59 am
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| Roman, I thought those two parts on each side were spacers. Mine has two magnets underneath the bridge plate touching the pickup poles. [This message was edited by Charlie Vegas on 09 November 2006 at 08:05 AM.] |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:06 am
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Those "spacers" are the magnets.
Most have two magnets ... poor quality magnetic material (compared to something like a Fender Trap).
They charge to a max of about 350 gauss (surface reading) ... while a Fender Boxcar or Trap block magnet charges to around 1000 gauss.
Some have one magnet ... and a "blank" ... either aluminum or painted wood.
These were ... student model steels in their hay-day ... so alot of cost cutting seemed to be applied.
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Dustpans LTD.
The Casteels
HSGA
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:07 am
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Charlie,
seems to be a different model - no magnet underneath my plate (just the two plates and a HUGE wax-covered cap), those two thingies with the notches are magnetic; BTW, it does make a difference which way round they go in - mounted them the wrong way round at first, and the 3 lower strings were much quieter than the 3 high ones, turned magnet around, and it worked like it's supposed to.[This message was edited by Roman Sonnleitner on 09 November 2006 at 08:13 AM.] |
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Charlie Vegas
From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:12 am
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| OK Rick, but what about the two magnets that mine has on the under side? Are these original? |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:12 am
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| Quote: |
| Mine has two magnets underneath the bridge plate touching the pickup poles. |
Possibly an aftermarket attempt to up the "juice" ... since yours came with one magnet and a blank ????
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Charlie Vegas
From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:16 am
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| Rick, sounds like I need a set of your NIBros magnets. Let me know when you complete your next batch. |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:17 am
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Hmm, I see yet another customer for Rick'S NIBs...
Edit: Ooops... Well, that's what I thought while you posted![This message was edited by Roman Sonnleitner on 09 November 2006 at 08:19 AM.] |
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Kelvin Monaghan
From:
Victoria, Australia
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 8:33 pm
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| If you search ebay for Vintage Harmonica Cable the guy sells a 20' cable with the correct Amphenol connector.I purchased one last week from him for my Supru Double,it's a nice quality job.He also has an Amphenol to Jack adapter which might suit as you can then use a standard 1/4" jack cable.My Supro also has a broken mounting pickup screw it's not worth worrying about.Cheers from OZ.Kelvin |
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Charlie Vegas
From:
Tampa Bay, FLA, USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2006 6:21 am
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After a repair to my pickup, I put the bridge plate back without the two extra magnets someone added to the bottom. The pickup works just fine without them.
The funny thing is the baseplate now has so much residual magnetism that the pickup actually worked before I put the magnet, blank, and top plate back on. |
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