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Thread: looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

  1. #1
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    Default looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

    Since this stay at home thing started i have been playing online with jamulus with my Eastman.

    But I am looking to get a different sound. so I figure I could add a 4 or 6 string coil to a old mandolin I have so I can get that electric feel and sound.

    I have a Boss GT-6 pedal so effects are endless.

    So what ideas in the easy way to add a coil to my older mandolin?
    J Bovier F5 Studio Mandolin - Aged Brown Oil
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  2. #2
    Registered User John Rosett's Avatar
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    Default Re: looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

    As far as a magnetic pickup goes, I don't know of anything specifically for mandolin. The one exception is a vintage Dearmond pickup, which are rare and expensive There are numerous floating pickups for arch top guitars that could be rigged up. It's also possible to run a transducer pickup through the effects, amp, etc. That might be an easy way to start.
    "it's not in bad taste, if it's funny" - john waters

  3. #3
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

    You hand wound pickups before? Or are you just looking for a magnetic pickup?

    $200 these are made with a magnetic pickup

    so , plug it in and go..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
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  4. #4

    Default Re: looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

    I got one of those old DeArmond mandolin pickups, for 1950s technology it doesn't sound half bad.

    I think for what he's after though, a K&K big spot external would work just fine.

    I've got some kind of K and K pick up on everything I own, I think they're the best you can do for electrifying an instrument.

  5. #5
    Luthier&Pickup maker ret. Soundfarmer Pete's Avatar
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    Default Re: looking for Ideas in adding pickup coils to an old mandolin..

    If you`re looking for an inexpensive way to do it, I`ve had reasonable results with stripping a cheap guitar humbucker - the coils are shallow so if you`re not worried about the finish, then simply glue one of the coils to the top....you should find that the bar magnet will fit edgeways in the slot in the middle of the coil.....

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