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Vintage threads from the first ten years

previous: Dick Hello guys,I was recently readi... -- 8/31/2002 1:49 AM

Re: Aged wire?

8/31/2002 3:49 AM
SK	Re: Aged wire? well, the magnet manufacturers claim a remarkably low degaussing over a LONG time (I'm thinking it was something like 1/10th of 1% over 100yrs...) Given that information, and the noticible fact that the older insulation types get brittle over time tells me it's more in the insulation. Also, there was some issues with the older potting method (laquer dip) in which potting usually was incomplete, and possibly even incompatable with the wire insulation (It doesn't LOOK like laquer to me on most pickups, more like shellac) I've noticed on older pickups the potting breaking down to the point of being inconsequential (often they seem unpotted except for telltale signs on the bobbins themselves and at the eyelets), the coil loosens up after this(over time), and the pickup becomes a bit darker sounding. I believe the breakdown of the potting and the loosening of the coil is mostly what is heard in "vintage pickups" (or loosening due to being unpotted). Doesn't really happen with wax unless the wax is melted out (car trunks maybe...) but wax is a "duller" potting medium than some others(not to say it's bad, I use it..)

8/31/2002 3:49 AM

Re: Aged wire?

well, the magnet manufacturers claim a remarkably low degaussing over a LONG time (I'm thinking it was something like 1/10th of 1% over 100yrs...) Given that information, and the noticible fact that the older insulation types get brittle over time tells me it's more in the insulation. Also, there was some issues with the older potting method (laquer dip) in which potting usually was incomplete, and possibly even incompatable with the wire insulation (It doesn't LOOK like laquer to me on most pickups, more like shellac) I've noticed on older pickups the potting breaking down to the point of being inconsequential (often they seem unpotted except for telltale signs on the bobbins themselves and at the eyelets), the coil loosens up after this(over time), and the pickup becomes a bit darker sounding. I believe the breakdown of the potting and the loosening of the coil is mostly what is heard in "vintage pickups" (or loosening due to being unpotted). Doesn't really happen with wax unless the wax is melted out (car trunks maybe...) but wax is a "duller" potting medium than some others(not to say it's bad, I use it..)

Replies:

Dr Strangelove SK wrote:[QUOTE]the coil loosens up... -- 8/31/2002 4:16 AM