Hello, I'm looking for informations about homemade pickup for e-mando.
I planned to built my own pickuo (to replace the pickups on my Clearwater mandolin).
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Hello, I'm looking for informations about homemade pickup for e-mando.
I planned to built my own pickuo (to replace the pickups on my Clearwater mandolin).
Thanks... In fact, I'm exactly ot this stage : the winding !
Attachment 161726
http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_E...up_Winder.html
Kit http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_E..._110-volt.html
France?, probably want the 220v one ...
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools..._220-volt.html
Etc. http://www.stewmac.com/search/Pickup+Kits
Might seem crazy but if you`re dipping your toe in the water, those ready made winders are really expensive..... I built a winder using a model aeroplane rubber winder http://www.samsmodels.com/products/r...product_id=168 ......removed the hook and epoxy glued a faceplate to the shaft then mounted the thing on a stand ......Each turn of the handle = 10 turns of wire so easy to count as you crank the handle with your left hand guiding the wire with your right. You also feel the process through both hands so you`re less likely to have breakages as you feel any snags coming....... Wound thousands of pickups using this method.
Also, it`s best to have eyelets in the bottom plate to solder the wires to - 3/32" copper tube works a treat.....Simply cut very slightly over length by rolling a modelling knife across the tubing until almost through, insert in hole, snap off the rest of the tube then expand to fit tightly by tapping each side with a centre punch before (important) sanding smooth so the wire does not catch
I guess if you can keep track of how many times that you turn the piece around ,
the winder is just rotating the part you are adding copper wire with a little insulating coating around it,
'X' number of times....
If you really need a counter there are several easy ways to do it. Easiest being a clicker counter with practice you can hold it in the same hand as you crank with. And they only cost a few pounds of evilbay
Yesterday, I succeeded in building a counter, using a cheap pocket calculator and a magnetic contact used for house alarms...
And it work's ! My winder will be an old sewing machine...
I will share pictures with you soon.
Thank you Pete for your advices ! I use your "Agressor" pickup on one of my mando, and it's really a good one! I love how it sounds trhough my "Orange crush" amp. If the pickup I try to build is half as good as my "agressor", I would be very happy !
Ronny, since you`re making a single coil, to get plenty of wire on it, I know it`s flimsy but use 44 or 43 AWG wire otherwise you`ll not get much resistance in the coil.....Have fun!
Attachment 162796 Here's my sewwinding machine !
Attachment 162797 and the pickup is almost done.
My gauge : 0.063. In fact, my counter does not work as well as expected, so the number of turns may be between 7000 & 10000 ! The resistance is 5,6 K.
They make mechanical counters that can be triggered by a small arm off the bobbin. I used to use one when I was winding my own coils for crossovers.
These work wonderfully and run off a 9v battery.....just make sure you counterbalance the trigger magnet otherwise you`ll have a lot of wobbliness ;) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Digit-L...MRdz1GlLilu1MA
https://youtu.be/bf8_R2hvqis
Here's the test of my pickup.
I play the original mic first, then I play my homemade pick up.
Here's another pick up....
It works very well too !
Attachment 175361
Attachment 185294
Here are the pickups on my mando... I used then for all concerts last year and it was great.