So I have two eastwood airline mandolas, which came with what I learned are called 'microphonic' pickups. This is a new term for me, never knew what it was until I got one by accident. Basically, if I hit the pickup with a pick, a fairly loud click comes out the amp, because the cover is conductive and acts like a string that vibrates when you hit it. By comparison, the rail pickup on the mandostang is quiet no matter how hard I hit it.
So... lowering the pickup is one option.
But I found this video, which suggests taking off the pickup cover, and adding wax, thus 'potting' the pickup (named for the early practice of dipping pickups in a pot of hot wax).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM68RMYOTME
I was thinking about using blu-tac putty instead, as I can find several electric guitar players who did that with good results.
Another option is to leave the cover off, but I'm worried about damage since the pick hits it a lot. If the putty doesn't fix the click, then I'll have to find another way to protect the pickup.
I'll post with the results in a few days.
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